October 2000
Volume 4, Issue 1

Inside this Issue...

Social Science Computing Laboratory
Faculty of Social Science
Room 1228, Social Science Centre
The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C2

E-mail: ssts@uwo.ca
Web: www.ssc.uwo.ca
Phone: 519 661-2152
Managing Editor: Ramona Fudge

SSC Network Update

The DRL – Your Source for Stats

Liz Hill

Visitors to the Data Resources Library (DRL) frequently comment that they wish that they had been aware of its existence prior to their third or fourth academic year at UWO. Heightened visibility has been achieved through a presence on the Internet, as well as by physical changes to the entranceway of the DRL. Ultimately, faculty and staff within the Faculty of Social Science are relied on to advise students about the existence and purpose of the DRL.

What does the DRL offer?
The DRL offers a number of useful services. Here are just a few:

Data
Data acquired by the DRL, or the University, is available to all users. Much of the data is available via the Internet at: www.ssc.uwo.ca/ssnds/drl.html which is the main access point for the Internet Data Library System. Special requests for data can also be made to the Data Librarian, Vince Gray, at vince@uwo.ca.

Related Materials
Printed codebooks and user documentation related to data files are available for loan. This printed documentation typically outlines how the data was collected, and which questions were asked as part of the data collection process. Data documentation may be borrowed by any university student, faculty or staff member.

Loans
If you are looking for a manual on a software product such as SAS or SPSS, TSP, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, to name just a few products, come to the DRL. Manuals may be borrowed by any Social Science student, faculty or staff member. Loan period depends on availability and demand. The holdings of the DRL can be viewed via the Internet at: www.ssc.uwo.ca/drl/catalogue/pubsearch.htm.

Wishing your students would use more primary sources in their research?
Encourage them to use a data file. Exposure to primary sources of information, an exercise in data analysis, and broadening their exposure to valuable reference sources within this faculty are only three of the benefits!

Where is the Data Resources Library?
The DRL is in SSC 1004 within the Social Science Computing Laboratory, on the first floor of the Social Science Center.