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Virtual Data Center

Charter

This charter outlines the mission, partners, goals, scope, and proposed services of the Boston College Libraries Statistical Data Catalog - Local Server Access.


Mission:

The mission of the Statistical Data Catalog - Local Server Access (VDC) is to significantly enhance quantitative research at Boston College by consolidating access to data collections, analytical software and consulting services supporting quantitative research across disciplines.

The VDC will facilitate communication and collaboration among research support groups on campus to develop distributed virtual collections of data, software and documentation. The VDC will coordinate standards and procedures for purchasing, processing, organizing, maintaining, archiving and providing access to data collections.

Research support groups contributing to the Center include Research Services, Techology and the FMRC and specifically the GSA program. The group will also work closely with the Dean And Associate Vice President For Research, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Partners:

Barbara Mento, Manager, Boston College Libraries Statistical Data Catalog - Local Server Access
Ted Gaiser, Director, Research Services, Technology
Christopher F. Baum, Associate Professor, Economics Department and FMRC Moderator of the Graduate Statistical Assistant Program

Goals:

The goal of the Statistical Data Catalog - Local Server Access is to strengthen the University's support for quantitative research by identifying, purchasing and distributing data sets in a user friendly way, regardless of platform, and by facilitating the delivery of data support services throughout the university. The Center will facilitate collaboration across disciplines among those working with the data.

Scope:

The Statistical Data Catalog - Local Server Access will support the acquisition and distribution of U.S. and international data. Access to acquired data will extend to the Boston College Community and will be subject to restrictions as designated by the issuing agency. The Center will also include access to freely distributed data which supports research interests at Boston College.

Proposed Services:

  • Coordinate information to facilitate data access and support via the web through a Statistical Data Catalog - Local Server Access web pages.
  • Prioritize the distribution of data via the web. Create standard for distribution of data to make easily accessible regardless of platform. Create documentation for alternative access when necessary.
  • Standardize Data Acquisitions Management.
    All data requests will be processed in conjunction with the partners to insure adequate support, documentation and delivery and meet collection goals. Forms similar to the ICPSR request form (Request ICPSR Data ) will be developed to build a database of data requests to assist in establishing priorities, tracking data stakeholders and providing better overall data maintenance and for projecting future hardware and software needs.
  • Build better access to metadata regarding data collections. Further develop the Data Resources Catalog
  • Develop additional guides and documenation to support identification of data sources for purchase and access. Research Guide: Statistical Sources
  • Distributed Codebooks and Guidebooks
    Codebooks and documentation will be distributed electronically whenever possible. Otherwise they will be made available through O'Neill Library whenever possible.http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/tvp/research/Researchdoc.shtml
  • Provide Computational Consulting for Faculty and Students
    Identify support resources available to faculty and students
    GSA and Research Services
  • Software Access
    Provide current news and information about available software supporting research i.e. Research and Statistics on the Desktop
  • Research Workshops
    Advertise training opportunities on campus and beyond
    Boston College ResearchWorkshops; ICPSR
    Identify additional training needs.
  • Survey faculty and students regarding data acquisition and support needs.

 

Thomas P. O'Neill Library : Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Updated: October 9, 2001
Questions or comments contact Barbara Mento: mento@bc.edu
Copyright 2001 - The Trustees of Boston College