Development of the Sociometrics Data Library on Families, Aging, Substance Abuse, and AIDS

• Published in: Social science computer review 1996-10, Vol.14 (3), p.305-309
• Main Author: Card, Josefina J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adolescent Parents; Aging; Computer Assisted Research; Data Banks; Family Life; Pregnancy; Social sciences; Sociometric Analysis; Sociometrics Data Library; Substance Abuse
• ISSN: 0894-4393; 1552-8286
• DOI: 10.1177/089443939601400305

Discusses the structure, current design advantages, & future potential of the Sociometrics Corp in Los Altos, CA, a preparer-provider of social science data. Following a brief review of the challenges facing preparer-providers of large databases, it is argued that Sociometrics has overcome these problems & contributed to the advancement of research in each of its archival groups: adolescent pregnancy & pregnancy prevention, the US family, maternal drug abuse, social research on aging, & acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)/sexually transmitted diseases. Data have been obtained through a rigorous screening process grounded in the criteria of technical quality, substantive utility, policy relevance, & potential for secondary analysis. Further, utilization of technological innovations have contributed to the quality of documentation & the system's powerful search capabilities. Data extract capabilities allow users to create personalized subsets of information that can be easily reviewed & accessed on most microcomputers. Sociometrics has been successful in making its existence, contents, & products known throughout the social scientific community while providing a reasonably priced product. 1 Table. T. Sevier