Collection
The Social Science Data Archive (SSDA), a special collection within the Social Science Library and Information Services, was formed in 1972. It contains computer files of numeric social science data. Most of the files are stored on a server in the Social Science Statistical Laboratory (Statlab); some are available on CD-ROM at the Social Science Library.

Data are acquired through memberships in the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, and by purchase. Data files collected reflect the research interests of Yale faculty, students and staff.

The SSDA contains public opinion surveys, surveys of economic behavior, surveys of electoral behavior, census data, health data, and economic and social indicators. SSDA data files are cataloged in StatCat; some CD-ROMs and documentation for data files are cataloged in Orbis.

Subject Strengths
Political behavior and attitudes, electoral processes, economic behavior and indicators, health statistics, census public use microdata, social indicators and public opinion surveys form the backbone of the collection.

Special Collections
The Social Science Data Archive contains documentation for approximately 17,000 polls that duplicate the holdings of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, 1935-1983. Since 1984, materials have been added to the Yale Roper Collection on a selective basis. More about the Yale Roper Collection.

Reference Collections
The Social Science Library receives press releases and other reports of public opinion polls. Print and electronic indexes to public opinion surveys are also available. SSLIS also collects materials on statistical analysis and survey methodology. Resources for Public Opinion Research at Yale lists many of these publications.

Access
Yale faculty, students, and staff have access to the collection. Users are provided with assistance in locating and acquiring appropriate data by the Social Science Library Reference Staff. Programming and extracting consultation is provided by the Social Science Statistical Laboratory (Statlab). Both SSDA and Statlab are located at 140 Prospect Street.