Finding Data Files at the U of S Library Sociology 398, Social Inequality and Health Kiran Doranalli Lucy Li Data & GIS Library Services, U of S Library September 18, 2008

Always remember to login with NSID and password!!

Ways to Find Files 1.Library Catalogue 2.Statistics Canada Catalogue 3.Web front ends to data: IDLS, CANSIM, … Variable level 4.U of S archive Variable level 5.Talk to the Data Library staff

1. The Catalogue Know the name of the survey Looking for a print copy of a codebook Locate a survey by  entering the survey name Keyword Search:  Population Health & electronic resource  topic: health

1. The Catalogue Limit your search by “scoping”  select Data & GIS files from the pull-down menu  more manageable result list

2. Statistics Canada Catalogue  Statistics Canada overview:  A Census every five years  350 active surveys on virtually all aspects of Canadian life  Search files by keywords or subjects:  Diabetes  Heart disease  Physical activities

Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)  Status: Active  Frequency: Annual  The central objective: to gather health-related data at the sub-provincial levels of geography (health region or combined health regions).  Data collection: prior to 2007, occurred every two years; after 2007, occurs every year.  Collection period: January – December  CCHS questions are designed for computer-assisted interviewing.

Canadian Community Health Survey (cont.)  CCHS covers: 1.General health 2.Physical activities 3.Children's physical activities 4.Self-reported height and weight 5.Measured height and weight 6.Women's health 7.Fruit and vegetable consumption 8.Chronic health conditions 9. Smoking 10. Alcohol 11. Food security 12. Socio-demographic characteristics 13. Labour force 14. Income 15.Administration …and more…

Vital Statistics – Birth Database  Status: Active  Frequency: Annual  collects demographic information from all provincial and territorial vital statistics registries on all live births in Canada.  Some data are also collected on live births to Canadian residents in some American states.  The data are used to calculate basic indicators (such as counts and rates) on births of residents of Canada. Information from this database is also used in the calculation of statistics, such as age-specific fertility rates.

Vital Statistics – Birth Database (cont.)  Data sources Responding to this survey is mandatory. Provincial and territorial Vital Statistics Acts (or equivalent legislation) render compulsory the registration of all live births, stillbirths, deaths and marriages within their jurisdictions.  Subjects 1.Births and deaths 2.Health 3.Measures of health 4.Population and demography

General Social Survey – Health (GSS)  Status: Inactive  Frequency: Quinquennial (5 year)  Primary objectives: 1.Collect data on social trends in order to monitor changes in living environment and welfare of Canadians over time. 2.Provide instant information on specific social policy issues of existing and emerging interests.  Data collection: Computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI)

General Social Survey – Health (GSS) (cont.)  Cycles focused on Health issues: Cycle 1 (1985) and Cycle 6 (1991)  Been inactive since the introduction of National Population Health Survey in 1994  Covered short and long term disability, well- being, height and weight, health problems, smoking alcohol use, physical activity, sleep and use of health care services.

What can you do with all the data…  Analysis on diseases breakouts in different areas  Analysis on health conditions of Canadians, e.g., what factors are affecting Canadian health?  Analysis on age-specific fertility rates…  And so much more….

3. Variable level  Library has access to several web extractors  Best choice  IDLS (Internet Data Library System) from Western Ontario

IDLS (Internet Data Library System)

Downloading Data 1. Using IDLS, select a survey. 2. Choose variables. 3. Choose values. 4. Submit our extraction request. 5. An containing: the URL to download the requested files, and your IDLS PIN will be delivered. 6. Download and unzip the SPSS and data files using your IDLS PIN. 7. Edit the syntax files.

IDLS – Locate Your File  Browse/Search by Subject or Name or Variable  Canada – Health  Canadian Community Health Survey

 User’s guide, File description, questionnaire, data dictionary……  Select variables  number of times: walking for exercise & weight (kilograms)……  Select values for selected variables  or you can retrieve the entire file

 Submit your request

Remember to enter a valid address Select files and format to deliver

& Web Page Notification of Files to Download Remember your file will only be available for a short period of time

Download and Unzip Files Use your IDLS PIN provided in the to unzip file

U of S Data Archive  Data Lib webpage  By subject  Select the file  U of S data archive  Download the file and unzip it  Codebooks and other documentations are available in PDF format (some are available in print copy…search in library catalogue)  Restrictions: DLI license

Download the file and unzip it

Eligibility and restrictions  Restriction: DLI license  The Data Liberation Initiative  Eligibility: Postsecondary academic staff and students  Conditions: restricted to teaching and research purposes

4. Ask Data Library Staff Office: 2nd Floor, Main Library  Appointments recommended  us at Darlene Fichter (7209) ( on sabbatical) Winnie Smit (7261) Rob Alary (5987) Elise Pietroniro (2677) Kiran Doranalli (8841) Lucy Li (8841)

Questions?