DataFirst

In 2008 DataFirst signed a contract with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to work with the Accelerated Data Program (ADP). Under the project DataFirst is tasked with the installation and maintenance of the IHSN’s NADA microdata cataloguing software at National Statistics Offices (NSOs) in African countries. This software has been designed by the International Household Survey Network (IHSN) to facilitate the archiving and dissemination of survey microdata produced by African NSOs. DataFirst is also contracted to assist in reviewing the documentation produced by the NSOs for their datasets to support metadata standards aimed at ensuring data comparability in the African region.

The ADP project is a partner initiative of PARIS21, the World Bank, and other international partners to advance the capacity of African countries to collect and share survey microdata to provide indicators to monitor development outcomes in these countries. The project works with national data producers in Africa to foster the production and use of quality data. The ADP gives guidance to National Statistical Systems in the development of long-term survey programmes, and provides tools and technical assistance for the preservation and dissemination of national data and for the accurate analysis of this data and its appropriate use in policy-making.

DataFirst’s Role

Under the OECD contract DataFirst will be responsible for installing the NADA cataloguing software in African countries selected for the ADP Pilot Project, and will provide technical support to NSO staff in these countries to maintain and update their web-based catalogues. DataFirst will also collaborate with the ADP in the drafting of user guides for the NADA software. Support for survey metadata will involve reviewing the data documentation created by NSOs in the Data Documentation Initiative (DDI) format, an international standard for the production of quality survey metadata.

Country NADA Installations

During 2008 DataFirst undertook NADA installations at the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS), the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics (BOS) and the Instituto Nacional de Estatística - Moçambique (INE). Training in creating DDI based metadata was provided to staff at the Lesotho NSO.

Lesotho Bureau of Statistics Nada Installation and Training Photo Gallery.
Gambia Bureau of Statistics Nada Installation and Training Photo Gallery.
Mozambique Bureau of Statistics Nada Installation and Training Photo Gallery.

Poster for the PARIS21 Consortium Meeting.