LONGITUDINAL DATA
Sunny Kaniyathu, Data Services Librarian
Soc 332.6 : Principles of Research Design
Longitudinal Data

Data observed over time as well as across units
 Units:
individuals, firms, provinces, countries, etc.
 Combines Time Series with Cross-sectional data

Time series
 Data

for a unit measured at uniform time intervals
Cross-sectional data
 Data
across units measured at a particular time point
Longitudinal Data Structure
Source: ESRC - Longitudinal Data Analysis for Social Science Researchers [http://www.longitudinal.stir.ac.uk/publications.html]
Data: Statistics Canada

Single data producer but multiple access points
 Not
every access point provides access to all data
 Exception: Buy data directly from Statistics Canada
 Data available for free under DLI License
 DLI:
Data Liberation Initiative
Sources and access points

Relevant data sources
 CANSIM:
Comprehensive Canadian socioeconomic
database
 Collection
 Census
of data from various surveys
of Canada
 Population

survey conducted every five years
Access Points
 Statistics
 Some
Canada website
data can be downloaded
 Several
dissemination platforms
Access: Statistics Canada website

Main Catalogue
 Browse
surveys and locate tables
 Find survey related documentation and analytical
studies
 Obtain CANSIM numbers for data tables
Statistics Canada Catalogue
Search by Surveys
Related products
Search by Subject

Find all resources under a given subject
Data via other platforms

Access to platforms: Data and GIS Library Services

CANSIM on CHASS / E-STAT
 CHASS
updated weekly [Wednesdays]
 E-STAT
 Updated
yearly
 Some data series may be aggregated

for example: yearly versus monthly data
 Contains
some census data
Access to Platforms
CANSIM on CHASS
In SPSS format
CANSIM [contd.]


Search by subjects
Search by surveys
Data via other platforms [contd.]

Retrieve complete surveys [DLI collection]
 PUMF

– Public Use Master Files
Not raw data [RDC]
Data via other platforms [contd.]

EQUINOX
 Data
in SPSS, STATA, SAS, IVT formats
 IVT format: requires Beyond 20/20 browser
 Free
Download
 Browser User Guide
 Data can be saved in other formats
 Windows only
EQUINOX
SPSS Example
Beyond 20/20 browser


Example: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey
File in .IVT format
Data via other platforms [contd.]

NESSTAR
 Data
can be viewed, not downloaded
 For data downloads, contact Data Services
 Detailed metadata including variable definitions and
documentation
 View frequency distributions for variables
NESSTAR
Census Data




E-STAT
Community Profiles: Statistics Canada website
Canadian Census Analyzer
EQUINOX
 PUMF
files and profile tables
Community Profiles
Canadian Census Analyzer
Data and GIS Library Services


Available: all DLI data
Primary Contact:
 Sunny
Kaniyathu: 306 966 8841;
sunny.kaniyathu@usask.ca

Secondary Contact(s):
 Winnie
Smit: 306 966 7261; winnie.smit@usask.ca
 Robert Alary: 306 966 5987; robert.alary@usask.ca

Website: http://library.usask.ca/murray/data-andgis/contact/dls-staff.php
Useful publications/ links










Canadian Social Trends
Canada at a Glance
Canada Year Book
Historical Statistics of Canada
Census 2006 Dictionary/ Index
Statistics Canada Thesaurus
Standard Geographical Classification (Vol. I)
Survey Methods and Practices
Survey Methodology
Citing Statistics Canada Data
Useful links


Data and Statistics LibGuide
Data Library Services
Questions?