Chuck HumphreyUniversity of Alberta

The Canadian Research Data Centre Network’s DDI Tools Development Project

IASSIST 2009

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A quick review: the problems

The volume and formats of the data documentation placed by Statistics Canada with the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) have resulted in problems in managing and using this information.

The information generated by researchers working in the CRDCN is not organised in a systematic way and is becoming unmanageable as its volume increases.

The records maintained about the research being conducted in the CRDCN have tended to be produced in each centre, using different conventions. This has led to complications in compiling reports and maintaining system-wide quality control.

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A quick review: the vision

ProjectApplication

ProjectApproval

ProjectCreation

Access to Data

GenerateAnalysis

Files

OutputDisclosureAnalysis

ResearchCommun-

icatons

Stages in the life cycle

Confidential Data

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A quick review: the plan

Apply a life-cycle management framework in working with relevant information flowing from Statistics Canada, the operation of the centres and the researchers.

Convert information into a standards-based metadata format that will enable interoperability and that meets the requirements for preservation.

Build loosely coupled information services using service-oriented information architecture. See Foster, Ian (2005). Service-oriented information architecture. Science, 308: 814-817.

Share tools that we develop and work collaboratively with others.

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CRDCN metadata tools update An EOI was issued in July 2008 that outlined what we

wanted to accomplish. The EOI format was used by the University of Manitoba to ensure openness in the bidding process since the number of bidders were anticipated to be small. Responses were received and evaluated at the end of August 2008.

Subsequently, an RFP was posted by the University of Manitoba in November 2008. In January 2009, a bid was accepted from a consortium of software developers headed by Breckenhill, a Canadian firm. A contract was awarded in March 2009 and money started to flow ten weeks later. This entire development package is being called Phase 1.

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DDI4RDC

DDI4RDC, the pseudonym for the software development consortium, consists of the following companies:

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

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QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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DDI4RDC meets CFI2

A two-day meeting was held between DDI4RDC and the Committee for Implementation - CFI on March 23-24, 2009 to discuss details in the work packages proposed by the developers and to ensure expectations were clearly understood by all parties.

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Phase 1 work packages

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Two applications

Application 1Consists of work packages 2 and 3 An editor aimed at the production of DDI 3.0

metadata Application 2:

Consists of work packages 5 and 6 A tool aimed at the production of researcher

metadata from analytical files, code and logs Work packages 1, 3, 4 and 7 are common to

both applications

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Stay tuned

All source code will be shared through an open source license for non-commerical uses.

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.