Data Services

Data Services

Data Services acquires, manages, and preserves quantitative survey data files from the various disciplines of the humanities and social sciences and provides data-related services as needed to support research and instruction at Simon Fraser University.  Data Services staff provide assistance with the location, retrieval, and use of data files in our Data Collection, as well as assistance with the acquisition of data files held elsewhere.

In Data Services we:

• Maintain a collection of computer-readable data files and their accompanying codebooks (i.e., documentation describing the data files' content and format).
• Assist with the location and acquisition of data files not currently in the Research Data Library collection.
• Assist with both the identification of appropriate datasets and of variables within a dataset, and assist with data extractions of selected variables to create custom datasets for research or instructional use.
• Provide technical assistance with the transfer of data across various hardware and software platforms.
• Provide advice and assistance with the documentation, archiving, and dissemination of original data files deposited by researchers.
• Provide advice on the management and use of computer-readable data files.