Delivering the metadata: An RDC experience

The metadata associated with microdata production of major Statistics Canada household and social surveys are often voluminous and daunting. There does not appear to be a systematic approach to disseminating the metadata of confidential microdata files across all surveys. This heterogeneity applies to content as well as method of dissemination. A pilot project was conducted within the RDC Program to evaluate one standard, the Data Documentation Initiative (DDI), that might support such a process.