Developing a hub for e-Social Science in NZ: Linking the GRID with emergent social data technologies and networks
   
 

Started: 1 July, 2007
Finished: 30 June, 2008
Primary Contact: Martin von Randow, NZSSN Operations Manager

Members:
Martin von Randow, NZSSN Operations Manager, Peter Davis, Director, COMPASS, Alastair Scott, Charles Crothers, Jack Vowles
Related files:
- BRCSS AccessGrid Seminar - Daniel

- BRCSS AccessGrid Seminar - Sophie

- SSDASH KAREN Presentation

- WORKING PAPER: Surveys in New Zealand


Related links:
- ASSDA

- ACSPRI

- IASSIST

Details:

The development of an advanced social statistics data service (“hub”) that utilises BeSTGRID and other remote access technologies in NZ and overseas to facilitate social science research and teaching. This is funded through the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).

The primary aim of the project is to develop New Zealand’s research infrastructure in line with global best practice in social science data access and analysis, using recent IT-based developments in data archiving, data linking and networked data processing in order to create a distributed data archive with state-of-the-art cataloguing and access (as seen for example in Australia, the UK and Canada). This is complemented greatly by the establishment of BeSTGRID and our close collaboration.

Secondary aims are to enable the social science community to gain improved access to current and past data series/collections in their specialist areas; to improve the speed and capacity for data cleaning and compilation, and dissemination of new surveys to students, researchers and policy makers; and to provide access to relevant data from comparable international studies.

Key components

  1. Data acquisition and preservation – using international standards protecting, enhancing and extending research investment value.
  2. Awareness and usability – promoting data archive services use including seminar and training programmes.
  3. Increasing data accessibility – delivered through secure Internet and BeSTGRID.
  4. Analytical capability – providing the access point/hub and training required to analyse social data.
  5. Workforce and demand – increasing the capability of the research workforce, both public and private, to analyse complex databases.