Collection development policy
Survey data collected by social scientists. Preferably:
- Research project with public funding;
- Scientific/relevant value;
- National coverage;
- High expected use considering the designated community;
- Should be related with the topics covered by the archive.
Quality control checks
- To verify the completeness of the file received, both case numbers and variable numbers;
- To verify the correct correspondence between the survey and the dataset variables, namely what concerns the proper classification of the type of variable (numeric or string) and its categories, or even the way missing data were managed;
- To verify the existence of missing values and its clear identification, particularly in regard to “no answers”;
- To verify the consistency of the answers that depend on individual features such as age, gender, civil status or level of education;
- To verify the appropriateness of recoding and to ensure that it is properly documented;
- To verify compliance with legal principles concerning data protection, by checking if the dataset is anonymized.
Metadata requirements
The archive requires the depositor to submit some metadata related to the study, according to CESSDA mandatory fields. The staff documents the data with more metadata based on the documentation (such as method reports) provided by the depositor, so that the study metadata in nesstar can be the most exhaustive as possible. Recently, associated with publishing some studies in CDC (CESSDA Data Catalogue), there was the need to have at least the metadata which is there provided.
If the metadata is not enough, the depositor is contacted in order to supply the archive with more information.
List of preferred formats
- SPSS
- Excel
- Word
By preferred formats we mean formats whose process of curation, dissemination and preservation are guaranteed by the archive. Every other format is accepted and migrated to preferred formats whenever possible. Otherwise, data is returned to the depositor.