Sample Use Cases for the DataDictionary View in DDI Views (DDI4)

Abstract

The DDI Moving Forward project (DDI-4) is the effort to modernize the way DDI is managed. Through the use of UML (Unified Modeling Language), a software independent representation of DDI is being developed and maintained. Compatibility with the older versions of DDI, DDI 2.x (Codebook) and DDI 3.x (Lifecycle), is a requirement. So, XML and RDF bindings to the UML model are being developed.

In order to be sure the new model is effective, various test cases are being applied to be sure the resulting XML is efficient. DDI Views (DDI4) has a DataDictionary View which can be used to describe the physical layout of a variety of data files. This presentation presents the use of this view to describe examples of CSV, fixed column, segmented fixed column, aggregate, and hierarchical files. Example datasets are drawn from the Australian Election Study, 2013 and the U.S. Census 2000 Public Use Microdata Sample. The presentation will include a brief tour of the DDI Views model, descriptions of the classes and attributes useful for describing a physical file, and examples of the XML used to describe each type of file. We will also discuss the description of event data, data where an event is the unit of observation. DDI Views will need some new features to be able to deal with this flexible type of data. We will describe the additions needed to DDI Views necessary for describing event data .This presentation is based on work done at Schloss Dagstuhl event 16433, October 23 through 28 2016. http://www.dagstuhl.de/de/programm/kalender/evhp/?semnr=16433