Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) NESSTAR Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Let’s have a closer look… NESSTAR: Networked European Social Science Tools and Resources The NESSTAR tool is used for the creation, preservation and dissemination of DDI compliant metadata NESSTAR consists of two catalogues of Statistics Canada data in both official languages: 1. Public use microdata files (PUMF) 2. Research Data Centre (RDC) master files Nesstar is a web-based exploration, extraction, and analysis tool for social science data. It allows users to search and identify variables of interest on the microdata files and determine whether a PUMF or a master file would best fit their research needs. A master file is constructed which contains all responses by each respondent, recorded in the format specified in the questionnaire. Only two types of users are permitted to access the master file. This being the author division and Research Data Centre (RDC) analysts. A public-use microdata file is based on a corresponding master file. A PUMF is a sample of survey responses that are anonymous, primarily non-aggregated, and have been scrutinized for confidentiality. As many variables as possible are provided in order to maintain the analytical value of the file. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Why use NESSTAR? NESSTAR incorporates the following features through WebView: 1. Searching and Browsing 2. Ability to use a variety of analytical tools 3. Data Access Nesstar WebView is a web-based system for the dissemination of data. It can be used to view data and metadata that have been published using Nesstar Publisher and made available on a Nesstar Server. The client allows users to search for, locate, browse, analyze, and download a wide variety of statistical and related data within a web browser. WebView supports both official languages of English and French. Other benefits are: - You do not need to know how to use SPSS, SAS, or STATA - Simple and Advanced Search facilities (search by study or at the variable level) - You can create tables, graphs, and perform calculations online - You can also download datasets in various formats or even subsets of the data - Nesstar is IP recognized and user logins are not required Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Access NESSTAR Authorized users of NESSTAR use WebView to access our collections of public-use microdata files (PUMFS) and master file metadata http://dli-idd-nesstar.statcan.gc.ca/webview/ Only members of the Data Liberation Initiative, DLI for short have access to Nesstar WebView. The DLI is a partnership between post-secondary institutions and Statistics Canada for improving access to Canadian data resources. Over the years the focus of the DLI program has evolved from purchasing access to major Canadian datasets collected by Statistics Canada to providing training services and the continuous support required for the proper understanding and usage of an ever expanding research data collection. Nesstar WebView is a web-based system for the dissemination of data. There is no need for specialized software and the program enables data on a Nesstar server to be viewed by anyone with a web browser. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Nesstar WebView Nesstar WebView Enhanced Search Catalogues Note: Multiple catalogues in both official languages The DLI is pleased to announce a new version of NESSTAR, which is now available to all clients. This new version also includes IP authentication for all authorized users and an enhanced Nesstar Search. Both have been launched as of February 2016. As you can see with the new version of Nesstar it allows you to access both public use microdata files and metadata for master files on the left side. To the right you see the new search, which allows you to search surveys and statistical products or perform a search at the variable level.   The Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) and StatCan provide researchers secure access (under provisions in Canada’s Statistics Act) to Statistics Canada social survey and administrative microdata.   The RDC Metadata Project was initiated in 2008 and funded by a grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to generate DDI metadata for StatCan surveys found in the Research Data Centres (RDCs).  Through our on-line tool, NESSTAR, researchers will be able to view survey documentation, methodology and variable level information related to the Statcan masterfiles. This metadata has been stripped of all confidential information, therefore, no frequency information or case counts are available for the masterfiles on the NESSTAR.  The inclusion of DDI metadata for masterfiles in Nesstar will improve the discoverability of Statistics Canada surveys.  Researchers will be able to identify variables of interest on the master file to assist them with their project proposals or custom tabulation requests.  DLI contacts will now be able to distinguish whether a PUMF or the master file would best fit their users’ research needs.    To access the microdata housed in the Research Data Centres (RDCs), researchers must submit a project proposal to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Access metadata Mode Menu When you click on a survey title, example Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey 2013 Persons File, the description tab becomes active and the “abstract” for that dataset is displayed. The Description tab: displays descriptive information about the dataset. In the browse list, under the survey title, you will see metadata folders, which provide information about the dataset in the following subfolders: Study Description: contains information about the survey, such as title, abstract, keywords Other Documentation: contains links to survey resources, including links to the IMDB page, codebook, user guides, and other documentation. Variable Description: provides details of all variables within a survey dataset. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Browse variable description Nesstar allows you to also view surveys by variable description. In this example under PUMFs select “Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey: Person File”. Clicking on any variable on the right side of the screen will show the variable group. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Variable description Variable name and label Nesstar also allows you to view studies at the variable level. Here you see an example of a variable shown with the variable name and label. If available, you will have the Question, description of variable, etc. This information is pulled from the codebook. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Surveys and statistical products Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada DLI variables Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Filter results Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Filter results Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Tabulations Nesstar allows a variety of functions, including tabulations. A table can be created containing one or more variables from a survey dataset. When working with tables, Nesstar is great, because it supports drag and drop to alter a table. This makes it very user-friendly and allows modifications to be easily done. The table cells represent the frequency that particular categories, or combination of categories, occurred. If more than one variable is added to a row or column, the variables will appear nested in the table. Nesstar also allows you to perform analysis on selected cases and also add filters and weights. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Weights By default, when a data set has only one option for the weight variable, the variables are weighted when viewing frequencies under the 'Description' tab. When creating cross-tabulations and analyses for a dataset that has multiple weight variable options, you will need to weight the data. To add weights, select the scale icon in the upper right corner of Nesstar. You will see a reminder that the weight is on below the cross-tabulation or analysis. Why would we want to apply weights? Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Applying weights Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Creating calculations Nesstar allows you to easily perform calculations. Inserting calculations lets users calculate and display new categories in a table. New categories can only be calculated on variables that are already added to a table. In this example under PUMFs, select the Canadian Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs survey, 2013 person file. Then select tabulation. Under description of variables you can add a column in this case Marijuana use – ever used/tried was selected and you click it to add column. In the drop-down menu, you can select a calculation such as: Aggregate Subtract Multiply Division and more Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Data visualization Another function of Nesstar is the creation of graphs. Various bar graphs can be created as well as pie charts. Here are simple illustrations to show its functionality. In this example under PUMFs select Canadian Tobacco, alcohol and drugs survey 2013 person file. Select tabulation. Under variable description marijuana use – ever used / tried select add column. Then click the diagram icon. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Exporting and printing options Nesstar allows you to export and print tables. The first icon to the left in the box allows you to export a table to a spreadsheet, such as Excel. The second icon exports it to a PDF file The third icon allows you to print Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Downloading datasets One of the great features of Nesstar is the ability to download datasets in various formats. This allows users to access the datasets in the format or program of their choice. Some of the available formats include SAS, SPSS, and STATA. Documentation can also be downloaded in XML and PDF format. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19

Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada Thank you! Questions? Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) Statistics Canada Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada July 19