Computer-assisted survey software packages such as Blaise store question-level metadata that are associated with the survey data collected. The Michigan Questionnaire Documentation System (MQDS) extracts those metadata from a Blaise metadata file and outputs them to a DDI3 compliant XML file. Once those metadata are available, they may be used and reused throughout the data lifecycle to document and compare versions of the survey instrument, document preliminary and cleaned datasets, produce codebooks, and to harmonize and disseminate data.
This presentation will follow the flow of a study’s question-level metadata from a Blaise survey instrument via MQDS, and follow their and reuse throughout the data lifecycle phases of instrument design, testing, data collection, data processing, and data dissemination.