The TDR Data link on the TDR home page is designed to provide users with easy access to electronic data sets, including CANSIM Time Series, Canadian Census files, Statistics Canada surveys, ICPSR surveys and many other data sets. These data sets are comprised of data received through consortial agreements or by request of faculty, staff or students for research purposes. User generated data may also be mounted on the site upon request. The TDR is continually adding new data sets .

The Data links available are divided into several parts.

There are restrictions on use of this data (see licence agreements).

1) NESSTAR WEB RETRIEVAL

The first link in this section uses the Nesstar Web retrieval system. This system provides users with drill down menus from which they can select a data set, subset the data, choose variables, choose an output format, as well as perform some simple means, frequencies, crosstabs and regressions. Generally the results are viewed on the screen, however, if more complex analysis is required  users can download the data to their local machines. Users can choose the output format which best suites their needs from a choice of several different formats.  This system is designed to provide easy access to data, for both novice and experienced users, while trying to decrease the dependence on knowledge of a statistical package just to retrieve and subset data. Complex analysis will still require input and experience from the user.  See Nesstar tutorials for step-by-step instruction.

The main focus of TDR is the mounting of Statistics Canada surveys although products by other governments and international organizations are also included. New data products are added as they become available.

See What's New - Acquisitions to see the latest data sets added.

2) CANSIM

The CANSIM link takes users to Canadian (& some U.S.) socio-economic time series through our subscription link to the U of T site. Over 35 million time series produced by Statistics Canada are available via the CANSIM II link. CANSIM-I (the original series) is no longer being updated as of June 2002, however, users can still access the older series.

3) E-STAT

This site provides access to a collection of Statistics Canada data and information which has been packaged for use by educational institutions. This site includes data on the economy, the Census, and elections. It also includes approximately 2/3 of the CANSIM II material - updated annually.

4) GEOGRAPHIC FILES

The fourth link on this page provides access to the 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 CANADIAN CENSUS geographic files. These files contain spatial and attribute information on the various geographic regions. Files can be downloaded in mapinfo or arcinfo format. The pages also contain examples of the map files as well as detailed descriptive files.

5) ICPSR Direct

This links users to direct access to view and download data held by the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), located within the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. ICPSR is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization serving member colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. ICPSR provides access to the world's largest archive of computerized social science data.

6) LOCAL CLIMATE DATA

The sixth link, Local Climate Data, provides all users with access to the raw data climate files compiled by the Elora Research Station and the Guelph Turfgrass Institute.

7) PENN WORLD TABLES

The seventh link, Penn World Tables, takes users to our subscription-based link to U of T database of country socio-economic data covering the years 1950-2000.

NOTE:

Each Data Centre within TDR holds datasets which are restricted to in-house use only at the individual institution. Please contact your local TDR staff for information regarding other data products available to you.