Creation of Study Descriptions

Every new or revised ICPSR study requires a study description that is written by the staff member who processes or evaluates the study. These descriptions follow a strict format to ensure that standard information is recorded for each study. The format consists of named fields into which the staff person enters appropriate information about the study. Completed descriptions ultimately reside in an online database, which is searchable by anyone. Much of this information comes from the ICPSR data deposit form, which data depositors are required to submit with their data.

Study descriptions contain at least:

• ICPSR Classification
• ICPSR Study Number
• Study Title
• Principal Investigators
• Summary
• Extent of Collection
• Extent of Processing
• Time Period
• Collection Note
• Case and Variable Information for each Data File
• Citation

Study descriptions may also include:

• Series Information
• Data Type
• Date of Collect
• Funding Agency
• Grant Number
• Source of Data
• Format of Data
• Sampling
• Universe
• Collection Changes