Colectica for Excel: Using DDI Lifecycle with Spreadsheets

Abstract

Colectica is a suite of modern metadata management software that is used to document statistical datasets, public opinion and survey research methodologies, and data collection. This demonstration will introduce the new Colectica for Microsoft Excel software, a free tool to document statistical data using open standards. The software implements leading open standards including the Data Documentation Initiative (DDI) Lifecycle version 3 and ISO 11179. Using this software allows organizations to both better educate sponsors and the public on their methodology and increases the organization’s reputation for performing credible scientific research. The free Colectica for Excel tool allows researchers to document their data directly in Microsoft Excel. Variables, Code Lists, and the datasets can be globally identified and described in a standard format. Data can also be directly imported and documented from SPSS and Stata files. The standardized metadata is stored within the Excel files so it will be available to anyone receiving the documented dataset. Code books can also be customized and generated by the tool, and output in PDF, Word, Html, and XSL-FO formats.