DATA BANKS AND DEPOSITORIESThe technological changes that contributed to
the creation of SSDA have had far-reaching signifi-
cance for social scientists. The changes through-
out the 1990s were considerable: from simple
writing (word processing) to data production (es-
pecially computer assisted interviewing technique);
from archiving (from punch cards to floppy disks
and CD-ROMs) to data analysis (the creation of
various new software); from bibliographic refer-
ence (online access to bibliographic databases) to
communication (e-mail) (Cooley and Ryan 1985).
The boundaries of technological innovations are
not yet clear. The compound archive of integrated
data, text, images, and sounds (Garvel 1989), and
the Geographical Information System, by which
we can analyze data concerning space are exam-
ples of previously unimagined products that are
possible because of computers (Unwin 1991). These
instruments require high-level storing proceed-
ings so that data can be a real resource in the
development of empirical knowledge.
While social research in earlier decades la-
mented the lack of reliable data (in the 1960s the
social sciences were considered data poor, and
infrastructural support for social research was lack-
ing) the situation has changed. Thousands and
thousands of data sets, some of them dating back
to the 1940s, are stored for secondary analysis in
SSDA. These data sets represent a vast potential
for comparative research on historical develop-
ments and social change.
PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTUREIn 1994, the European Commission recognized
Social Science Data Archives as legitimate institu-
tions to be considered as applicants to the large-
scale facility program for scientific research. This
is tantamount to recognizing that the social sci-
ences have infrastructure needs equal to those of
the ‘‘hard’’ sciences. This goal was originally pur-
sued through the work of a study panel created by
the General Directorate for Science and Tech-
nology of the European Commission and particu-
larly its Training and Mobility of Researchers pro-
gram. The study panel met twice, and was entrusted
with the tasks of: a) identifying the future priorities
of European scientists concerning access to large
installations in the social sciences, both in the
short and in the medium term (i.e. in the period
1994–2004); b) suggesting ways to meet these pri-
orities—with an indication of their respective costs
and benefits—in light of the present and expected
availability of large installations, taking into ac-
count existing and planned future international
cooperations, both within the community and out-
side as well as the particular needs of researchers
working in regions where such installations do not
exist; and c) consulting representatives from mem-
ber states and reporting on what facilities, if any,
might be available for possible support in the
frame of successor programs. A large-scale facility
has, to date, been defined as a large research
installation that is rare or unparalleled in Europe
and that is necessary for high-level good-quality
research. Such facilities tend to have high initial
costs of investment and comparatively high oper-
ating costs. The large-scale facilities program is
intended to provide scientists with access to large
installations within and especially outside their
own countries, thereby promoting the mobility of
researchers and encouraging the creation of a
Europe-wide research community. And likewise,
these installations are better utilized when their
services, facilities, and knowledge are available to a
wider community of users. Thus the beneficiaries
of the large-scale facilities program are researchers
who are provided with access to the facilities and
the organizations that receive support for the use
and improvement of their equipment. The level of
support for such facilities has, to date, been based
on the quality and unique features of the facility
and the value—particularly in advanced training—
to potential users.As a sequel to the work and recommendations
of the study panel, between 1994 and 1999 three
Social Science Data Archives, the SSRC Essex ar-
chive, the German ZA, and the NSD in Bergen
have been included in the large-scale facilities
program together with other social science institu-
tions. In addition the General Directorate for
Science and Technology created a round table on
large-scale facilities in the social sciences. This
round table was constituted by the European Un-
ion commission to suggest actions needed to sup-
port a given field of scientific activity. The pros-
pects of Social Science Data Archives are thus
quite positive, and for the first time they have been
given a tool capable of furthering their original aims.