Implementing and Evaluating a Research Data Archive

This paper addresses some of the problems of data access and exchange by discussing what an educational research institution should do about data archiving and data facilities. The work undertaken at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education is described. Generally, efforts in the past have been given to computerization of bibliographic information and to computerization of data analysis facilities. It is now time to turn to the problems of the research data resource itself--to data development, data archiving, and to computerization of data (and documentation) access and exchange. A first step is for research institutions, government agencies, university departments, and private centers to establish a local data archive and computing laboratory, dedicating as much attention to this as has been given to print collections and to analysis software. Institutions and contracting agencies should develop and adhere to reasonable guidelines about data preservation on the one hand, and data ownership on the other. The computerization of data access and exchange between institutions requires good arrangements at each institution and standardized facilities for computer networks. Another need is for a centralized archive function. (Author/PN)