What is DDI?

The Data Documentation Initiative (DDI) is an effort to create an international standard for describing social science data. Expressed in XML, the DDI metadata specification now supports the entire life cycle of social science datasets. DDI metadata accompanies and enables data conceptualization, collection, processing, distribution, discovery, analysis, repurposing, and archiving.

For current implementations of DDI and its benefits for different applications, see DDI at Work.

For information on DDI history, see the DDI Timeline.

The DDI Alliance is a self-sustaining membership organization that develops and promotes the DDI specification and associated tools, education, and outreach programs.

DDI is being used around the world: