Strategies for improving utilization of computerized statistical data by the social science community.

Robbin, Alice Strategies for improving utilization of computerized statistical data by the social science community. International Journal of Social Science Information Studies, 1981, vol. 1, pp. 89-109. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

In recent decades there has been a notable expansion of statistical data produced by the public and private sectors for administrative, research, policy and evaluation programs. This is due to advances in relatively inexpensive and efficient data collection and management of computer-readable statistical data. Corresponding changes have not occurred in the management of data collection, preservation, description and dissemination. As a result, the process by which data become accessible to social researchers and others is frustrating, time consuming, and inefficient. This paper describes the reasons for this situation: the problem-solving workstyle of social data users, the nature of the data and their relationship to computer technology, and an inchoate social science information infrastructure. Since statistical data play an increasingly important role in social research and policy decisions, social science information specialists must be prepared to meet the computer-readable statistical data user's needs. Four strategies are recommended for improving utilization of these data: improving the quality of statistical evidence, educating information professionals and end-users in numerical information, using the existing information infrastructure to preserve and disseminate data, and developing retrieval tools for improving access to information about social data.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: statistical data; social science; machine-readable data; research
Subjects: B. Information use and sociology of information > BC. Information in society.
B. Information use and sociology of information
B. Information use and sociology of information > BG. Information dissemination and diffusion.
B. Information use and sociology of information > BH. Information needs and information requirements analysis.
B. Information use and sociology of information > BA. Use and impact of information.
Depositing user: Alice Robbin
Date deposited: 21 Apr 2008
Last modified: 02 Oct 2014 12:11
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/11403

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