Let us not also forget the added-value support and training services to accompany these data. I might go as far as to say that we pioneered the very concept of SAQD and also created commotion in ‘the literature;’ as scholars found a new opportunity to debate the pros and cons of sharing and reusing qualitative data. Yes, Qualidata had its fair share of critics in the 1990s but, as they say, there is no such as thing as bad publicity, and I’m inclined to agree! I see other countries survey archives asia rcs data engrossed in the same debates, as I am often asked to consult on the formation of new qualitative data initiatives. Yes, in the UK that, but honestly, I advise, do bear with it. All will redeem itself.
Here at the UK Data Service we have qualitative data fully integrated into every day business and a handful of specialists in house amongst our 70 staff to deal with data processing, metadata, specialist advice on consent and ethics, training and creating user resources. Of course, there are enormous benefits to a shared infrastructure, with all data flowing in under one roof, and our processing staff are more than happy to work with survey and qualitative data side-by-side. The majority of our qualitative data come in via our self-deposit system, ReShare, as a result of the ESRC Research Data Policy. Reshare data can be identified by the Study Number prefix, which is 85XXX.
Libby Bishop’s recent findings illuminate the profile of usage of these qualitative data holdings, with over two thirds using data for teaching and learning across all instructional levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate. Teaching with data in our collection is a topic I will return to briefly later.