Transcript Slide 1

CESSDA Question Databank
Tender, results and future
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Introduction
• Data Archiving and Networked Services
– Institute of both KNAW and NWO
– Mission
– Departments:
• Archive and dissemination
• Infrastructure
• Software development
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Outline
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Background
Question Bank Tender
Discussion of technical specifications
Conclusion
Approach
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Background
• Cross-national survey programmes introduce
comparability and harmonization issues.
• Supporting infrastructure:
– Constructs, Classifications, Conversions Database
(CCCDB or CHARMCATS)
– Question Database (QDB)
• Pre- and post harmonization
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Tender
• Specification of tender
– Requirements, use cases
– Need for CESSDA-wide architecture
• Execution
– Metadata Technology
– Marratech Sessions
– Involvement of architecture WP
• Report and review
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• General
– QDB should not function stand alone
• References to variables, questionnaire, etc.
• DDI3 metadata model
• Webservice architecture
– DDI v1 and v2 in use by CESSDA archives
• Discussion
– Will tools be able to migrate to DDI v3?
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• Purpose and Functionality
– Link questions via concepts, variables
– Link additional survey metadata / physical data
– Query questions based on references
– QDB needs to include references
• Discussion
– Either use DDI3
– Use generic model
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• Architecture
– Repositories povide content
– Registry indexes content
– 3CDB and QDB provide functionality
– Increasing identification and communication
• Discussion
– Question bank vs. QDB?
– Identification designed for DDI3 context
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• Repository
– Contains content from one or more archives
– Contains one or more banks
• Studies, variables, concepts, universes, questions, ...
– Dedicated or on top of existing systems
– Additional administration, logs, etc.
• Discussion
– Existing systems fall short (identification, version,...)
– Quality essential for stability
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• Registry
– Banks register content
– Minimal metadata required for searching
– Responsible for searching / locating, not for
retrieval
– Use SDMX approach
• Discussion
– How much metadata is needed for proper
functioning?
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• QDB
– Function as repository for local questions and
proxy for non-local questions
– Stores comparison information
• Discussion
– Should QDB archive questions / comparison
information
– Who is responsible for QDB (LTP)
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• Requirements and use cases
– A ‘Gold Standard’ promotes the use of certain
proven objects and increases comparability
– Use registry for searching
• Discussion
– Assign to existing questions or define them
centrally?
– Use registry or QDB for searching questions?
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• Metadata and technology overview
– Many open source components
– Database might require proprietary software
• Discussion
– Start with open source database. Good design
allows replacement when needed.
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Report
• Implementation
– Start prototype implementations to demonstrate
functionality
– Start improving legacy metadata
– Use / extend SDMX registry
• Discussion
– Deadlock-situation: get tools to improve metadata,
improve metadata to demonstrate functionality
– How DDI3 is improved metadata from Nesstar without
workflow, versioning, identification? DDI3-ready?
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Alternative Solution
• MT approach is similar
/ better than intuitive
solution
– DDI3 metadata
approach is essential
– Web service is more
flexible than harvesting
– MT approach is more
distributed
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Conclusion
• DDI3 is an obvious choice, adopt it and
improve it
• It will change workflow, infrastructure and
responsibility
• How can archives justify, pay, risk and achieve
this?
• What is the role of CESSDA?
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Approach
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Approach
• Phase 1: search, browse and access questions
– Question text + response domain
– Results in having some base material
• Phase 2: add references
– To/from concepts and questionnaires
– Implement registry to facilitate search
– Explore organiation,publishing issues
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009
Approach
• Phase 3: Add QDB/3CDB
– What functions do these provide
– What metadata functions do these require
• Etc.
Maarten Hoogerwerf, CESSDA expert
seminar 2009