[DDI-users] DDI 3.0 Available for Public Review

[Mary Vardigan]

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to inform you that DDI Version 3.0 has just been released
for Public Review. Please go to the following page:

http://www.ddialliance.org/ddi3/index.html

to find out more about this new specification.

Note that DDI 3.0 does not replace DDI 1 and 2, and any markup
previously done with 1 or 2 will continue to be valid. DDI 3.0 does,
however, introduce some new features that many in the community have
been asking for. Based on XML Schemas, DDI 3.0 is modular and documents
more of the research data life cycle than before, especially in terms of
the data collection component. It has improved support for multiple
languages and mechanisms for grouping and for documenting comparative
data. 

We urge you to read about and evaluate Version 3.0 during the Public
Review period (through mid-April) so that we can refine and improve it.
The DDI 3.0 site provides a variety of tools and examples that will help
you to assess the new version. There is also a form for sending your
feedback.

The upcoming IASSIST meeting in May in Montreal
(http://www.edrs.mcgill.ca/IASSIST2007/) will offer workshops, sessions,
and posters related to DDI 3.0 and DDI in general. Hope to see many of
you there.

Regards,
Mary Vardigan
Director, DDI Alliance