The purpose of these charts is to define various reasons for grouping
data sets that have some level of impact on how the data is accessed and used.
They form a typing matrix where a tag from each parameter would be assigned to
each grouping of data files. A starting point was the glossary of terms
prepared by Jim Jacobs at UC San Diego which described Cross Sectional Studies,
Data Sets, Longitudinal Studies, Panels, Waves, and Time Series. Data from
these types of studies are frequently grouped by archives and libraries. Data
can also be grouped based on multiple data products coming from a single data
collection process or by the investigating agency. I did not include the
investigating agency as a parameter for grouping as I couldn’t think of a case
where this was applicable and affected how the data was processed and
accessed. REVISED: 21 FEB 2005
|
PARAMETER |
TAG |
DESCRIPTION |
|
TIME |
T1 |
Single Occurrence |
|
|
T2 |
Multiple Occurrence: Regular Occurrence: Continuing |
|
|
T3 |
Multiple Occurrence: Regular Occurrence: Limited time |
|
|
T4 |
Multiple Occurrence: Irregular Occurrence: Continuing |
|
|
T5 |
Multiple Occurrence: Irregular Occurrence: Limited time |
|
INSTRUMENT |
I1 |
Single |
|
|
I2 |
Multiple: Integrated set of 2 or more instruments used for different
subgroups |
|
|
I3 |
Multiple: Base with Topical changes |
|
PANEL |
P1 |
Single panel surveyed multiple times |
|
|
P2 |
Single panel surveyed once |
|
|
P3 |
Rolling panel (multiple interviews limited duration) |
|
|
P4 |
Different panel each survey |
|
GEOGRAPHY |
G1 |
Single geography surveyed multiple times |
|
|
G2 |
Single geography surveyed once |
|
|
G3 |
Rolling geography (multiple interviews limited duration) |
|
|
G4 |
Different geography each survey |
|
DATA SETS |
D1 |
Single data file from a data collection |
|
|
D2 |
Multiple data products from a single data collection |
|
|
D3 |
Integration of multiple data sets into a single integrated structure |
|
|
D4 |
Multiple data files each from a different data collection |
|
EXAMPLES |
TIME |
INSTRUMENT SET |
PANEL |
GEOGRAPHY |
DATA SET |
|
|
T2 |
I3 |
P4 |
G1 |
D4 |
|
|
T1 |
I2 |
P2 |
G2 |
D2 |
|
NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL SURVEY |
T2 |
I3 |
P1 |
G1 |
D4 |
|
GENERAL SOCIAL SURVEY |
T2 |
I3 |
P4 |
G1 |
D1 |
|
INTEGRATED PUBLIC USE MICROSERIES (IPUMS) |
T2 |
I3 |
P4 |
G1 |
D3 |
|
EUROBAROMETER |
T4 |
I3 |
P4 |
G1 |
D1 |
|
SURVEY OF INCOME AND PROGRAM PARTICIPATION (SIPP) |
T2 |
I3 |
P3 |
G1 |
D1 |
|
AMERICAN HOUSING SURVEY |
T4 |
I3 |
P4 |
G3 |
D2 |
|
NATIONAL SURVEY OF YOUTH |
T5 |
I3 |
P4 |
G1 |
D4 |
|
PROJECT X |
T1 |
I1 |
P2 |
G2 |
D1 |
|
ABC POLL |
T4 |
I3 |
P4 |
G1 |
D4 |