Welcome to the Advanced Studies of National Databases SIG! We are a group of educational researchers interested in learning about available large-scale data sources, uncovering best practices for working with large-scale datasets, and applying such knowledge to the rigorous study of relevant substantive issues. Although our name focuses on national databases, our members apply their expertise and interests to a number of levels of context, including international studies and work employing state-, provincial-, or district-level data systems.

Our SIG’s membership believes deeply in the utility of research involving such datasets for providing relevant knowledge about current educational issues, and our activities give scholars both an outlet for their work to be recognized and opportunities to network with those doing similar work. Have you recently completed research using large-scale datasets to address a substantive or methodological issue? Consider submitting to our SIG! We support a variety of presentation formats to foster rich and informed discussion of your work. Have you (or a student) recently completed a dissertation using such data sources? Our dissertation award competition recognizes outstanding work by recent Ph.D.s. Do you want to support the work being done here (and get to network with outstanding scholars in the process)? We have a number of ways to get involved in the administration of the SIG, including serving as a proposal review panelist, as a session chair or discussant, as a newsletter or website editor, or as a SIG officer. You can also support our work here simply by joining us—and by encouraging interested colleagues and students to do the same.

I hope to see you involved!

Carolyn Barber
2015-2017 Chair