:. PRI :. Core Services :. Web Services

Web Services Available to Faculty Associates

PRI offers a variety of options to researchers whose projects require a web presence. These options can be used separately or in combination.

1. Publicly-accessible web site
   
   A project may benefit from a web site which provides information to the scholarly community and to the general public; such a site can be large-scale or small-scale, and can include one or more of the following:
   • project description
   • findings
   • bibliography
   • links to online data access and documentation
   
   
   Example of small-scale site - Nonresident Father Involvement and Child Well-Being
   Example of large-scale site - Puerto Rican Maternal and Infant Health Study
   
   To request a publicly-accessible web site, contact Tonya Allen.
   
   
2. Conference and workshop web sites
   
   Some projects involve an event, such as a workshop or conference. A web site can include event information and electronic registration.
   
   To request a web site for a conference or workshop related to a funded grant, contact Tonya Allen.
   
   
3. Interactive web site
   
   Web sites can provide dynamic access to data and documents. For example:
   • Database containing information on the variables in the various data files the project is using. Researchers can query subject, date of update, tracked changes, source of information, other variables that use this variable in a calculation, etc.
   • Data entry via web form, e.g., lab tests, survey results, progress reports by team leaders. Data retrieval by download, extract or query.
   • Tracking of publication drafts and submissions. Compilation and indexing of publication bibliographies.
   • Interface to allow researchers to run statistical analyses through the web -- everyone uses the same version of the data.
   
   Interactive web sites can provide you with tools to manage your project including, but not limited to:
   • managed document, image and web page storage
   • news items and announcements
   • forums and other tools to foster discussion on areas of study to explore
   • ability to work on documents collaboratively through-the-web
   • full indexing of site with search functions and the ability to assign category keywords
   • online calendars to manage meeting dates
   
   
   Sites can have various levels of security in place with id/pw access and encrypted connection. We can provide a webmaster for your site or train you to be the webmaster of your own site using the Plone content management system.
   
   Due to access restrictions, we cannot provide you with an open example of an interactive web site. However, we invite you to make an appointment for a demonstration of the capabilities available.
   
   To request an interactive web site or schedule a demo, contact Jeanne Spicer.
   
   
4. Data dissemination site
   
   Project data can be disseminated through SodaPop. A SodaPop web page can stand alone or be linked to a publicly accessible web site.
   
   Data can be submitted in any form, but will be converted into SAS format and disseminated as delimited, SAS or Stata. Specific requirements exist for documentation; the researcher's codebook can be used, or one can be generated. Certain restrictions can be placed on access to the data, including an online application form. We maintain records on data requests and usage for you.
   
   Example of a Sodapop web page - Marital Instability over the Life Course Sodapop page. This Sodapop page links to the main project page.
   
   Example of a site using a customized version of the standard SodaPop interface - Health Insurance Dynamics (HIDyn)
   
   To request a Sodapop page for your project, contact Tara Murray.

Other services from Penn State's department of Information Technology Services are available to faculty.

1. ANGEL -- Penn State's Course Management System, ANGEL, is a software application that enables instructors to manage course materials, communication, quizzing, surveys, and grading from one online location without the need to know HTML.
2. Personal Web Pages -- Apply for personal Web space, offered by ITS to all Penn State faculty, staff, and students.
3. Blogs at Penn State -- Apply for personal Web space that is easy to customize and edit, available to all Penn State faculty, staff, and students. A video overview is available.

Last modified: 05/21/09 | Contact Webmaster