[DDI-ADG] time method controlled vocabulary (Attention: Oliver)

[Katherine McNeill-Harman]

Oliver (and other members of the SRG),

We in the Aggregate Data, Geography & Time Working Group have been 
considering various time-related elements in the DDI, including 2.3.1.1 
<timeMeth> (time method).  In doing so, we investigated different 
definitions of items that could be included in this element (e.g. "panel 
survey") to see how controlled the vocabulary in this element could be.

In the process, we learned from Wendy Thomas that the Comparative Data 
Group will be responsible for recommending controlled vocabulary for this 
element, as it often relates to groups of related datasets.  Oliver, as you 
are chair of that group, we wanted to pass onto you the information that we 
collected thus far for your use.

I went through several social science methods reference books and compiled 
the attached list of different survey definitions.  It's a lengthy Word 
document (if you can't read this format, I'll put it in a plain-text email 
to you).  Pages 1-14 are organized by topics, with the different 
definitions for a topic listed on a single page; pages 15-20 are the 
definitions organized by their source.

It is our hope that this will be helpful to you in selecting vocabulary for 
this element.  However, we would like to call your attention to the fact 
that this element describes the time method used in creating a data set, 
but this is not limited to groups or families of data sets.  For example, 
some of the options for this element (e.g. cross-section, time series) 
could refer to a stand-alone data set with no connection to others in a 
group.  We trust that you will keep this in mind in formatting this element.

If our group can provide yours any assistance in this project, or if you 
have any questions about this, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Kate McNeill-Harman
for the Aggregate Data, Geography & Time Working Group
ddi-adg at icpsr.umich.edu

___________________________________________
Katherine McNeill-Harman
Data Services Librarian
Dewey Library for Management and Social Sciences
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, E53-100
Cambridge, MA 02139
mcneillh at mit.edu
617-253-0787 
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