DDI Sessions

Introduction to Metadata

This session provides an introduction to using structured metadata and discusses the benefits of using standardized metadata.

  • 1 to 2 hour non-technical session

  • General introduction to the usefulness of standardized metadata

  • Non-technical introduction to DDI

  • Opportunities created by using standardized metadata

  • Case studies of organizations using Colectica and DDI-Lifecycle

    • Statistics New Zealand

    • Statistics Denmark

    • Midlife in the United States longitudinal study

    • Cohort and Longitudinal Studies Enhancement Resources (CLOSER)

The DDI Information Model

This session provides a detailed look at the content described by DDI, and explores how your agency’s information relates to the DDI terminology.

  • Series and Studies

  • Data Collection, Survey Instruments, and Questions

  • Data Files, Data Record Layouts, and Summary Statistics

  • CodeLists and Categories

  • Concepts, Universes (populations), and Organizations

  • Quality Statements

In-depth survey descriptions in DDI

  • Introduction to parameters and binding in DDI 3.2 surveys

  • Representing question grids and blocks in DDI 3.2

  • New response options available in DDI 3.2

  • Strategies for multilingual survey instruments

  • Specifying cardinality restrictions in DDI 3.2

  • Mapping Blaise to and from DDI 3.2

  • Requirements for establishing question banks/reusable questions

In-depth with DDI

  • Technical training on the DDI standard

  • Learn how to create XML that complies with the DDI XML schemas

  • Learn about the different strategies for packaging DDI content

  • Learn about different strategies for storing and indexing DDI content

  • Simplified packaging available in DDI 3.2

  • Paired programming with your developers to help implement DDI

What’s New in DDI 3.2

If you are familiar with DDI 3.1 or DDI 3.0, but haven’t yet looked into DDI 3.2, this session gives an overview of the big improvements and simplifications in the new version.

  • Schema Improvements

    • Simplified packaging

    • Clearer identification

    • More consistency

    • Bug fixes

  • Content additions and improvements

    • Data Collection Instruments

    • Harmonization

    • Groups

    • Data

Version Management and Propagation in DDI

  • Learn how to manage changes to information over time, both in DDI and in Colectica.

  • Learn how to keep historical information accurate, while allowing for changes to actively managed information.

Classifications: Implementing Neuchatel with DDI-Lifecycle using the Copenhagen Mapping

  • Overview of the Neuchatel terminology for describing classifications

  • Learn how the Neuchatel terminology maps to DDI 3.2

  • Learn about the controlled vocabularies used to implement Neuchatel with DDI 3.2