About the Social Science Data Archives

The Social Science Data Archives (SSDA), located in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University, was set up in 1981 with a brief to collect and preserve computer-readable data relating to social, political and economic affairs and to make the data available for further analysis.

Data sets resulting from research by academic, government and private organisations and individuals have been deposited in the Archives, and further deposits are actively sought. In this way the results of research, costly in both financial and human terms, are preserved for future use, rather than lost or destroyed.

In addition to its acquisition and distribution activities, the Social Science Data Archives is aware of other data collection activities in Australia and will endeavour to locate and obtain relevant data for researchers upon request.

The Social Science Data Archives is a member of the International Federation of Data Organisations (IFDO) through which it maintains contacts with data organisations abroad actively engaged in providing the social science community with computerised data and documentation. The SSDA receives newsletters and catalogues from IFDO member archives, and data and codebooks can be obtained from these archives for Australian researchers on request.

Copies of all data sets acquired through its own acquisition activities or in response to requests are maintained by the Archives and are available to other interested users. If an enquirer does not know what specific data to order, he/she can contact the Archives to obtain suggestions on data held by the SSDA or elsewhere. Enquiries should contain as much detail as possible regarding the field of interest.