Finding Data Files at the

U of S Library

Darlene FichterNovember 22, 2004

http://library.usask.ca/data/

http://library.usask.ca/

Ways to Find Files

1. Library Catalogue2. Statistics Canada Catalogue3. Web front ends to data: IDLS, CANSIM, …

• Variable level

4. Talk to the Data Library staff (1,000’s of files available)

1. The CatalogueKnow the name of the surveyLooking for a print copy of a codebook

Locate a survey by entering the survey name

Keyword Search: Population Health & electronic resource

topic: health & codebook

2. Statistics Canada CatalogueKeywords:

internet use diabetes

3. Variable or Name of File

Library has access to several web extractors

Best choice IDLS from Western

Ontario

4. Ask Data Library Staff1,000’s filesOther cataloguesNew or soon to be released

Darlene.Fichter@usask.ca (7209)Winnie.Smit@usask.ca (7261)Ingrid.Welsh@usask.ca (2677)

Office: 2nd Floor, Main Library

Ingrid Welsh

Winnie Smit

Downloading Data

1. Using IDLS, select a survey.2. Choose variables.3. Choose values.4. Submit our extraction request.5. Download and unzip the spss and data files.6. Edit the syntax files.

IDLS – Locate Your File

Browse/Search by Subject or Name or Variable Canada – Social Surveys General Social Survey number of children

& internet use

General Social Survey, Cycle 14

Computer Use & Access 4 links:

– License– Select Variables– User Guide– File Description

Choose Select Variables

Select Variables

Check off variablesClick “Select Values”

Select Values

Sask.

Submit Your Request

Email & Web Page Notification of Files to Download

Download and Unzip Files

Questions?