Frequently Asked Questions
What
is the History Data Service?
Who can obtain data from the History Data Service Collection?
How much does it cost to obtain data?
How
do I gain access to the data?
What formats are the data available in?
Are there any restrictions on the use of data?
What
support and training does the History Data Service provide for data users?
What
support does the History Data Service offer data creators and depositors?
How do I get help?
What is the History Data Service
The History Data Service (HDS) is housed within the UK
Data Archive (UK Data Archive) at the University of Essex and is a national data service
that collects, preserves and disseminates digital data created by academic historians.
It is a successor service to AHDS History which between 1996 and March 2008
had been one of the five subject centres of the Arts and Humanities Data Service.
In addition to its collection of historical digital resources the HDS provides
online advice to data creators and works towards promoting and facilitating
increased and more effective use of historical data in esearch, learning and
teaching.
Its collection development policy focuses on collecting social and economic
historical data primarily created as part of an Economic and Social Research
Council award. In this it complements the work of the Economic and Social Data
Service a specialist service of the UK Data Archive.
Who can obtain data from the History Data Service collection?
Researchers, students and teachers from all fields and types of organisation
may register with the UK Data Archive and obtain data. However, some datasets may have
restrictions on access. For example, commercial usage may be restricted, permission
may be required from the depositor or publications may need to be vetted by
the sponsoring organisation. Details are available in the how to access data section of this website.
How much does it cost to obtain data?
Academics, teachers and students in the UK HE/FE sector can obtain data from the History Data Service collection via the UK Data Archive at
no cost (other than the costs of media). Other fees may apply depending upon
the user's status. See the charges section of the UK Data Archive website for further details.
How do I gain access to the data?
All of the History Data Service's collection is listed in the UK Data Archive Data
Catalogue and a vast majority of it can be downloaded via this catalogue.
Access to data requires registration and uses federated access management (shibboleth)
user authentication. Registration is a simple online one-time process. The Accessing
data section of the UK Data Archive web site provides information on the process.
What formats are the data available in?
The History Data Service collection consists of studies that come in a range
of different formats.
Tabular data
Most of the HDS collection consists of tabular data deposited as either MS
Excel, MS Access or SPSS/STATA files. We provide users with the option of downloading
these files in their original format if these can still be opened in appropriate
software. In addition all tabular data is provided to users as tab delimited
or comma separated text files. These can then be exported into appropriate software
for viewing and analysis. Further information on how to export tab delimited
files into spreadsheet, database or statistical software is given in the Support
section of this web site.
Textual data
Some studies in the collection consist of text files, some of which are word-processed
documents whilst others are texts that have been marked-up using encoding schemes
such as SGML, XML and TEI. We provide word-processed files to users either in
plain text, rich-text or pdf formats. Marked up texts are provided as plain
text files.
Images
Some studies in the collection consist of, or include image files. These are
made available to users as jpeg, png, and/or tiff files.
Are there any restrictions on the use of data?
Restrictions on the use of the data are outlined in the Terms
and conditions that all users sign when registering with the UK Data Archive. In particular
there is a fundamental restriction on the confidentiality of data. Users should
not attempt to use the data to deliberately compromise the confidentiality of
individuals or households and are required to abide by the current Data Protection
Act. This agreement also covers requirements for citation of publications and
safeguarding of data. Sharing
data with colleagues, other researchers or students must always be authorised
in advance.
Certain datasets may also require depositor permission and details are available
in the 'Access' section of each HDS catalogue
record.
What support and training does the History Data Service provide for data users?
The HDS provides:
- a help desk service operated by email (help@ukdataservice.ac.uk) and telephone +44 (0)1206 872326
- a JISCmail list offering news on the latest History Data Service collections and
other information useful to both creators and users of historical datasets. You can join this by sending the message subscribe hds to listserv@jiscmail.ac.uk
- web-based Frequently Asked Questions
- products that enhance access to and understanding of our data collections
such as user guides
What support does the History Data Service offer data creators and depositors?
The HDS provides specialist support for creators and depositors of historical
data, especially ESRC award holders. Researchers are advised to seek guidance
from the History Data Service web site at an early stage in their project to
ensure that they are following current good practice and standards. Data should
be collected and prepared in accordance with ethical and legal requirements
and should be fully supported by adequate documentation that will enable informed
secondary use. Guidance on good practice and good documenation are given in
the Create/Deposit section of
the HDS website.
How do I get help?
You can email help@ukdataservice.ac.uk and telephone +44 (0)1206 872326
Print-friendly page