Implemented by TriUniversity Data Resources (TDR), the Nesstar web retrieval system will soon be unveiled as the new web interface and retrieval system for accessing statistical and numeric data for academic use. The enhanced options provided by Nesstar include advanced search capabilities, a user-friendly interface, plus the ability to retrieve data in a variety of formats, including SAS and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).
The TDR Nesstar system allows users to search, locate, browse, and download social and economic datasets acquired by the TUG Libraries from a number of Canadian, American, and International data sources. Most of the datasets available through the Nesstar system are from Statistics Canada, while third party data are provided, for example, by ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), and World Bank.
Datasets categorized in the following subject areas are represented in Nesstar:
Please note that TDR is currently supporting two different web retrieval systems, but is gradually migrating datasets from the original (but still fully functional) TDR retrieval system to the Nesstar system. These two systems will operate in parallel until all datasets have been copied over to Nesstar. It is anticipated that this transfer process will be completed by early August 2005. After that date, all new datasets will be published only to the Nesstar server (eventually the original system will be shut down). Meanwhile, you should continue to rely upon the original retrieval system since only one-third of the total number of available datasets have been migrated to Nesstar.
To access the developing Nesstar retrieval system, please visit the TriUniversity Data Resources home page, click on the link for TDR DATA, then select the link for Nesstar Web-Retrieval. To access the original TDR retrieval system, from the TDR homepage click on the link for TDR DATA, then select the link for Web Retrieval.
Assistance in finding and accessing the datasets provided through the TDR Nesstar web retrieval system is provided by members of the UW Electronic Data Service (UW EDS). The purpose of UW EDS is to assist current students, faculty, and staff with their numeric, statistical, and/or geospatial data teaching and research needs. Members of UW EDS facilitate or act as intermediaries between UW clients and TUG's TriUniversity Data Resources for data retrieval and delivery, and they offer assistance with the manipulation of data and the use of statistical packages. Additionally, members of UW EDS acquire and maintain local electronic data collections that are specific to the needs of the UW academic community.
The TriUniversity Data Resources (TDR) is a data service project supported by the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, and University of Waterloo.
For more information about Nesstar, please contact:
Richard Pinnell
Manager, University Map and Design Library and Branch Library Services
Ext. 33412
Sandra Keys
Librarian, Information Services and Resources
Ext. 32279
University of Waterloo Library
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4883
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