Microdata Information System MISSY

The MISSY provides online information for the German Microcensus in a structured design. The Microcensus is a multipurpose annual sample which covers 1 percent of the German households. It is produced by the Federal Statistical Office. Though the Microcensus was originally not designed for research, it is accessible as scientific use files. Because it is of great value for the scientific community, there is a need for knowledge transfer from the federal office to the scientific community. MISSY offers the metadata both in a broad and differentiated way. MISSY takes different aspects of data documentation into account: The central part of the sample and data description are based on DDI (Data Documentation Initiative). Furthermore, additional information concerning methodical and scientific subjects are integrated to improve the usability of the Microcensus. Another aspect is related to the organization of information: related metadata in MISSY is linked in multiple ways, guided by different views on the subject. In addition, different possibilities for access facilitate the search of information and consider different needs and skills of scientists. The presentation will introduce the structure of MISSY.