Title: International Data Resource Center (IDRC)

Source/Sponsoring Agency: University of Michigan. Institute for Social Research. Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research

URL: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/IDRC/

Date Checked: 12/13/2007      Status: Active

Date Annotated: 11/20/2007

Topics: Comparative Law; Foreign Law; International Law

Other keywords: Empirical studies; International studies; Global politics

Contents: The International Data Resource Center (IDRC) acts as a clearinghouse for international data housed at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research located at the University of Michigan. The 1,200 datasets available are quantitative studies in the social sciences and related areas. The collection can be browsed via eight controlled subject areas, by an alphabetical listing of series topics that groups related datasets together, and by an interactive geographical map or list of countries. Keyword searching can be restricted to specific fields (title, study number, researcher, and subject terms) for a more refined search. The Search page also provides basic search tips. The resulting list of datasets generated can be viewed by title, date or relevance. Each dataset retrieved includes a description, download or hyperlink, and related literature. The descriptions give a brief but thorough overview of the study via bibliographic description, scope, methodology, and access and availability. The ability to download every dataset is available to member institutions, but many sets can be downloaded by guest users. In addition to research data, the IDRC provides links to “Foundational Datasets” that used the scientific method to study the fields of international relations and comparative politics. The site also has basic “Instructional Resources” for undergraduate classes as well as more advanced learning packages. “Related Sites” are geared towards scholars and researchers working in the areas of international relations and global studies, and include government agencies, NGOs, institutes, and studies. “What’s New” announces new datasets to be added to the collection. The IDRC site is clear, concise, and packed with information for scholars interested in historical studies of international and national phenomena.

Author of Annotation: J. Callihan