The Social Science Data Library (SSDL) is Temple University's repository for computerized social science data and a primary center for expertise in the analysis and presentation of such data.
MAP of the Week
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What's New
For "Counters"
The Quantitative Methods Discussion Series
The quantitative methods discussion series provides a place for researchers, both faculty and graduate students, to present difficult methodological problems. Many researchers value these sessions highly as a source of continud learning and support.
None currently scheduled.
For "Sorters"
Support for Qualitative Data Analysis
The SSDL supports qualitative data analysts with advice on methods, qualitative data analysis software, and networking for qualitative researchers. We invite you to participate in a series of Brown Bag Discussions for Qualitative researchers. Past meetings have discussed the problems of figuring out how to use grounded theory in the real world, and analyzed how researchers decide what to include in field notes and analytic memos and how the notes are used in the larger study. Click here to see notes from past meetings.
Qualitative Brown Bag Discussion Series
This discussion series is designed to provide a forum for researchers who employ qualitative methods to have a place to solve problems.
Next Session: TBA
More information about quantitative data analysis support services at Temple University...
Data Seminars
The SSDL offers periodic seminars about data collections of interest to the community.
Currently, no data seminars are scheduled.
Information about past Data Seminars
Download ICPSR Data From Anywhere!
Enhanced authentication allows off-campus download. In order to download data from off-campus, all you need to do is log on to the ICPSR Web site from a campus computer. Do this once at the beginning of the semester, and your account is lagged for off-campus access for the next six months. Every time you log on from a campus computer, it revalidates your account for off-campus downloading, so you really only need to visit your campus once a semester.
Community Health Data Base: 2006 Data Now Available!
In 2003, Temple University joined the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation's (PHMC) Community Health Data Base, giving faculty, students, and staff access to PHMC's biannual Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Survey and geographically-related vital statistics, home mortgage, property, and tax data. The survey includes information about the health status, personal health behaviors, access to and utilization of area health services, and other issues for some 13,000 residents in the five county Pennsylvania side of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. Geographically-related data are available at the census tract, zip code, county, and regional level. SSDL has the data for 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006
For "Mappers"
Support for Spatial Data Analysts
ArcGIS Users -- The SSDL can provide you with shape files for the Philadelpia area, including county, Philadelphia MSA and shape files for other geographies. Click Analyze Data on the Web on our menu bar, then click on Geographic Data to see the shape files available for download. If you are interested in other shape files, call us or Request Data, and we will try to help you.
Need a Custom Map? If you have data that you would like to display in a map but you don't know how to do it, the SSDL can consult with Temple students, faculty and staff about how to make maps that display your research results in an understandable way. We can display information about the Philadelphia area for different geographic units, including county, zip code, neighborhood, census tract, and, within Philadelphia, individual property.
SSDL American FactFinder FAQ and Guide
American FactFinder is the Census Bureau's primary vehicle for the dissemination of Census 2000 data and maps on the Internet. American FactFinder makes it possible to get demographic data about geographic areas as small as neighborhoods or even block level. Our new FAQ and guide to FactFinder introduces you to the site and helps you get started locating your own data!