The dataset user guides are the principle step in finding the data you need. Even before you access the data, the website provides a wealth of information about the databanks and the additional services ESDS International provide. Open a browser (the screen shots below show Internet Explorer) and go to www.esds.ac.uk/international to enter the ESDS International website:
Select Access Data from the navigation bar at the top of the green ESDS International screen. The Access Data page contains a list of all the databanks available though ESDS International (you may have to scroll down to see the list of micro datasets).
The ESDS International website provides a full description of each dataset. As an example, we will now look at the documentation for one of the International Monetary Fund databanks. Select IMF Direction of Trade Statistics from the list.
This takes you to a summary table containing a brief overview of the dataset. Each databank has its own table on this page. The table has links to more information about the data provider and tells you how to cite the data. If you use data from ESDS International, the data source always needs to be acknowledged with a citation in the references. Citations also enable the ESRC to see how the data is being used and help us develop the data portfolio. The table also contains a link to the dataset user guide.
Select the IMF DOTS dataset user guide link.
Use the ESDS International dataset user guide for the Direction of Trade to help you answer the following questions before looking at our results:
- How many countries and regional groups are in the Direction of Trade?
- Give an example of a regional group
- Can you think of any countries which are not there? Why do you think that is?
- What years does the database cover?
- What do you do if you want earlier data?
Each dataset has its own detailed user guide. The dataset description and subject overview contains a list of the main subject groups in a dataset and where possible a link to a full list of indicators. The documentation section contains links to publications accompanying the data and any relevant guides or manuals. In this section you can find any available information on sources and definitions from the data producer. For example, in this case, you can find the IMF's own guide to the Direction of Trade describing the compilation, concepts, methodology, coverage and reliability of the databank.
The dataset user guide also contains a list of the countries covered by the database and the periodicity and time range.
Once you are inside a database, you can use the Search functionality of Beyond 20/20 to locate the data you need at item level.