Marc Maynard
Enhancing Access: Roper Center Efforts Towards Data Integration

mmaynard@ropercenter.uconn.edu

Commercial and media generated public opinion data pose a number of challenges to those archives interested in providing integrated user tools allowing for seamless movement from resource discovery to data analysis. The variety in subject matter, data formats, and quality of documentation have proven to be substantial barriers to both the development of such tools and, more generally, the widespread use of these data in research and instruction.

The Roper Center's collection of opinion data files and its online question-level retrieval system present a unique scenario for evaluating and discussing the reasons for this lack of use from both user and data archives perspectives. A brief look at the Center's current user groups will provide a backdrop for further discussion of the challenges facing users of public opinion data resources and their changing expectations.

During the past year, the Roper Center has taken a more critical look at some of these issues within the context of existing services and resources. The paper will discuss several initiatives undertaken by the Center in response to that review. These projects include the first phase of integrated resource discovery tools (question-level retrieval system and the archive catalog), reconfigured databased metadata repositories informed by the DDI, and enhanced archival access to metadata stored in various systems to assist staff in developing better documentation and new services. These undertakings will provide the foundation for providing users with seamless access to and across opinion data resources. Finally, future plans and related issues will also be discussed.