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SSDL Services

The SSDL supports Temple University Faculty, Graduate Students and Undergraduate Students social science data needs. Since our time is not unlimited, follow this link for guidance on how to make the best use of our time and on limitations to our assistance.

Data Location and Formatting

The Data Libary provides access to thousands of social science data files. The University's membership in the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) is the primary source for many of these data. Clients may also search and download data from ICPSR on their own. In addition, we can assist researchers by locating and acquiring data available from local, state and federal government as well as private and non-profit sources. We acquire the data and can convert it to almost any format the researcher requires, although typically clients use data in SPSS, SAS, Excel or Access formats. See user guidelines for information about restrictions on our time.

Research Consultation

SSDL Data Specialists provide limited consulting on statistical and research methodology. For example, the staff may provide researchers with guidance concerning research question conceptualization, data collection instruments and design, suggest statistical procedures appropriate to the nature of the data in a particular file, assist users in interpreting statistical results, suggest how best to organize data for analysis or presentation, or recommend appropriate software and hardware for a particular analytic problem. See user guidelines for information about restrictions on our time.

Training and Classroom Presentations

SSDL will provide training in a variety of areas of use to researchers. We provide introductions to commonly used data, such as census data, and we provide introductions to GIS and Qualitative Data Analysis software. We also provide customized classroom presentations for Temple University professors wishing to provide their students with an introduction to the SSDL and familiarize them with the major data sets in a specific area of study. Past presentations have included health data, education data, census data, as well as other topics.

Data Analysis Consultation

Our staff can provide support in quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques and software, as well as in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. See user guidelines for information about restrictions on our time.

• Quantitative Data Analysis
  • Consulting on issues related to statistical analysis of data, as well as assistance with technical issues involved in data preparation, including combining data sets, data cleaning and recoding.
  • Statistical software assistance: SSDL data specialists support both SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and SAS. Both programs are data management and analysis products. They can perform a variety of data analysis and presentation functions, including statistical analyses and graphical presentation of data. SPSS and SAS users may make an appointment with a data specialist by contacting the SSDL.
  • Online statistical support. For those needing immediate assistance, the University of Texas at Austin provides this helpful guide.
• Qualitative Data Analysis Support
  • SSDL staff support Qualitative Data researchers with consulting in the use of qualitative data analysis software. Currently, we support Atlas.ti.
  • We are also serving as coordinator for efforts to create a Qualitative Data User Group at Temple University and to provide other support services such as links to resources on the internet and conferences for qualitative data analysts.
• Geographic Data and Geographic Information Systems
  • Our Data Specialists can assist clients using ArcGIS, and, for limited projects, can also create maps to illustrate researchers findings.
  • The SSDL provides some geographic data relevant to the Philadelphia metropolitan area online.
  • Shape files for use with ArcGIS mapping software are available for download here. We also provide links to other geographic data sites.

Data Analysis

Typically, the SSDL provides consultation in data analysis in support of faculty and student research and instructional needs. On occasion, clients will ask us to conduct an analysis of their data. SSDL staff can provide these data analysis services on a fee-basis, for clients who have flexibility with deadlines. Our work in support of instructional and research needs is our highest priority, and we fit in fee-based work when we can. Our staff are highly trained and maintain a high level statistical and analytical expertise. We can employ a variety of analytical techniques (described in the Data Analysis Consultation section) that may assist clients with a wide variety of research questions. See user guidelines for information about restrictions on our time as well as pricing information.

Data Archival

We invite researchers interested in archiving data they have collected in past projects for use by secondary data researchers to discuss their needs with us. We will work with you to prepare your data for archival, and make it available to other researchers under both unrestricted and restricted conditions. Researchers applying for NIH and NSF grants may want to consider including the SSDL in their grants as a means for fulfilling data sharing requirements.

• NIH data sharing requirements, and data sharing requirements brochure.
• NSF grant information and data sharing requirements (scroll down to section I).

Data Requests

If you have a data request, you may fill out this form to provide information about your request to an SSDL data librarian. Please feel free to contact us in person or by phone if you have any questions about filling out this form.