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How Data Managers Use DDI

What is DDI?

DDI provides a standardized way for data managers to describe, curate, and archive research data.

How DDI Helps Data Managers

  • Improves Data Discovery: DDI makes data easier to search and access based on structured metadata fields (e.g., title, summary, time period, geographic coverage, methodology).
  • Ensures Data Consistency: Standardized documentation improves interoperability across repositories.
  • Supports Long-Term Preservation and Reuse: DDI-compliant metadata ensures data remains useful long-term.

How to Get Started

  1. Choose a DDI Version -- DDI-Codebook (simple studies) vs. DDI-Lifecycle (complex data).
  2. Structure Metadata -- Use controlled vocabularies and standardized fields.
  3. Integrate DDI into Your Repository -- Use DDI-compliant tools.