[DDI-SRG] Questions about DDI 3 and the CESSDA PPP

[Wendy Thomas]

Hi Markus

I have added you as an automatic accept for the ddi-srg list (although you 
will not receive postings from the list unless specifically copied to 
you). I think it is best to send to the list. I tend to be the first to 
respond but we all like to keep up on the issues being raised and others 
will chime in with their thoughts.

Basically CodeMap in Comparative is where you'd find the relationships. 
This assumes that you are using a CodeScheme and related CateogryScheme 
for the basis of your comparison. You have the standard Correspondence 
descriptions which allows for a textual description of commonality, 
difference, a commonality type code and commonality weight if appropriate. 
In addition you have the use of d:GenerationInstruction. The key component 
this provides you is r:Command or even the use of a ConstrolConstruct 
(needs to be listed separately and referenced). This could be an 
IfThenElse, for example IF source code <= 3 THEN target code = 1 ELSE 
target code = 2.

Command provides a human readable text, the ability to reference an 
external command file (like an SPSS command) and include a structured 
command inline. StructuredCommand is an abstract type serving as an empty 
stub for extensions using external namespaces like MathML.

Of course you may already be clear on this part and I'm just pointing out 
the obvious.

Achim or others may be able to provide you with a specific example of the 
use of StructuredCommand.

In designing 3.0 we did keep in mind the need to capture the translation 
tables for the IPUMS projects that capture hundreds of mappings to 
harmonized variables.

Wendy

On Thu, 8 May 2008, Markus Quandt wrote:

> Dear TIC members, dear Mary,
> 
> I am very grateful to Mary for this opportunity to get in touch with each
> other.
> 
> For the moment, I would just like to manifest the interest of WP9 in
> staying in touch. I'll soon try to provide some very brief introduction
> to the kind of application and involved problems that we have in mind. We
> have no ready-made materials yet for this, as we are in the very early
> stage of our design and development process, but it would be most helpful
> for us to reflect on the general options in DDI 3 even very early on.
> 
> On the practical side, I am wondering whether ddi-srg at ... is the e-mail I
> should be using for further communication, as this looks like a
> distribution list to me? Or would you prefer me to address one or more
> individual members directly?
> 
> Thank you very much for your time, and best wishes from Germany,
> 
> Markus
> 
> Mary Vardigan schrieb:
>       Dear TIC members,
> 
> The CESSDA project is moving forward rapidly. Work package 9, led
> by Markus Quandt from GESIS-ZA, focuses on harmonization (e.g.,
> harmonization of country-specific educational attainment levels to
> create an international classification). Markus has questions on
> the capabilities of DDI 3 to describe conversion and harmonization
> rules, which may require something like MathML or some type of
> program syntax. This is out of my scope of knowledge, so I offered
> to introduce you to each other with the hope that you can discuss
> this in greater detail.
> 
> Markus, great talking with you today in the meeting.
> 
> Best wishes,
> Mary
> 
> Mary Vardigan
> Assistant Director, Inter-university Consortium for Political and
> Social Research (ICPSR)
> Phone: 734-615-7908
> Fax: 734-647-8200
> 
> 
>
>  -- 
> Markus Quandt
> GESIS-ZA (Zentralarchiv fuer empirische Sozialforschung /
>           Central Archive for Empirical Social Research) Bachemer Str. 40
> 50931 Koeln
> GERMANY
> tel +49-221-47694-25, fax +49-221-47694-44 
> 
>

Wendy L. Thomas                          Phone: +1 612.624.4389
Data Access Core Director		 Fax:   +1 612.626.8375
Minnesota Population Center              Email: wlt at pop.umn.edu
University of Minnesota
50 Willey Hall
225 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455