The E-Codebook Data Extraction Web Interface

Ron Nakao
Stanford University

This presentation will outline the conceptualization, development, and 
implementation of the E-Codebook Data Extraction Web Interface at
Stanford University.  The web application will be demonstrated.  
Finally, lessons learned and future plans will be shared.  

The E-Codebook Data Extraction Web Interface brings together in a 
'one-stop-shop,' the information needed by data users to create extract 
files in a quick and easy-to-use web interface.  This easy access to 
data allows users to focus their time and attention on their statistical 
analyses, as well as allows faculty to incorporate student selection of 
'real-life' data in their instruction.

Codebook information, such as variable names, labels, descriptions,
values, value labels, and sample frequencies, are parsed into an Oracle
relational database.  Users  'shop' for variables via keyword queries to our
codebook database and add any that they desire to their variable 'basket' for
eventual extraction.  Links to important online resources, such as codebooks,
technical documentation, and  other web sites, are also provided.  Extract files
can be downloaded by the user to their desktop PC for further analysis, or 
accessed directly via their Unix account on Stanford's university-wide 
Leland Systems.