<odesi> is a web-based data exploration, extraction, and analysis tool.

It lets you search for survey questions (variables) across thousands of datasets held in a growing number of collections, and supports basic tabulation and analysis online. It also allows for the downloading of most datasets into statistical software for further analysis. Statistics Canada‘s public-use survey data forms the core of <odesi>’s social survey data holdings, but we are expanding its survey data to include other national and international data sources. Key polling data collections include the Canadian Opinion Research Archive (CORA), Canadian Gallup, and Ipsos Reid.

<odesi> introduces undergraduates to data literacy and data discovery at an early stage in their careers, provides the experienced researcher the ability to search immediately across hundreds of datasets and collections, and allows for faster and more meaningful data reviews.

<odesi> was developed from 2007 to 2009 as a jointly funded project between the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) and OntarioBuys. As of October 2009, the <odesi> project becomes an ongoing service within the highly successful Scholars Portal model.

What Data are in <odesi>?

<odesi> gathers data from a number of sources.  You have the option to search across all data sets, or to narrow your focus to certain collections.

Statistics Canada: Public-use microdata files (PUMFs) and aggregate data products made available to subscribers of the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI). Data includes socio-economic indicators, business and financial databases, census microdata and aggregate data, social surveys, education, crime, health, and more.

Public Opinion Polls: Historical Canadian public opinion polling data from Gallup.

Other Canadian Data: Studies from other Canadian data sources, including the Canadian Millenial Scholarship Foundation, the Canadian Policy Research Network, and the Institute for Social Research.

CORA: Researcher data and surveys from the Canadian Opinion Research Archive.

ICPSR: Metadata from the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research.  Note that while the metadata is available to everyone through <odesi>, only some schools will have access to the actual data files. These must be accessed through the ICPSR website. Links are provided where possible.

<odesi> is always expanding its survey data to include other national and international data sources.

Browse the surveys available in <odesi>.

If you have a particular data set that you would like to see in <odesi>, we may be able to help. Contact your local data support for more information.

Who Can Use <odesi>?

<odesi> can be used for all types of research; some example topics include education, health, the environment, social, and economic well-being of populations within Canada and abroad. In <odesi> it is possible to build charts, tables, look at trends over time, and produce correlations between and among data.

The datasets available in <odesi> are available to individuals affiliated with OCUL member institutions and <odesi> institutional subscribers. However, anyone can use the <odesi> search functionality and freely available metadata to identify datasets of interest to them. They can then contact the data producer directly for information on obtaining access to the data. For more information, including subscription and pricing details for non-OCUL schools, contact us.