Initial Assessment

DSDR staff perform the following tasks in order to make public-use data available for distribution:

• Read the data deposit form
• Review the electronic files
• Read the paper documents, if applicable

We use this information to:

• Compare the materials received to the descriptions of the materials submitted as outlined in the data deposit form and/or other correspondence with the data depositor
• Compare case and variable counts of data files to the stated case and variable counts in accompanying documentation
• Confirm that all necessary materials are present for a secondary analyst to use the data

We are then able to develop a processing plan. This plan outlines:

• Which materials will ultimately be released and which materials will be stored for archival purposes only
• The level of processing work and quality review necessary and/or desired to produce a quality data collection
• The structure of the final documentation files