We’re excited to share the beta release of the re-developed Data Explorer in Borealis - a comprehensive application designed to support data exploration, analysis, and curation at the variable-level in Borealis and Odesi.
Try out the new Data Explorer beta release in the Borealis Demo repository today!
Following the Odesi migration from Nesstar to Borealis in fall 2023, feedback from the community indicated a need for additional functionality in connected tools to better support data depositors, curators, researchers, and users. Over the past year, our team has been diligently working on re-developing the existing Data Explorer and Data Curation tools to combine both into a single, enhanced application.
This new combined tool allows authorized users to view and edit variables, visualize summary frequencies and charts, build cross-tabulations, subset variables, and download data in Borealis. The new Data Explorer also enables depositors, administrators, and curators to create and edit variable-level metadata for tabular files (e.g., SPSS, R, Excel, CSV) in Borealis for support of curation workflows.
Key features of the new Data Explorer
- Updated and Accessible Web Interface: Fully integrated with Borealis, offering an improved experience for mobile-device users with updated navigation and icons.
- Enhanced Variable Exploration: New variable searching, filtering, viewing, and exploration capabilities. Search by variable names and IDs, view and filter variables by groups, categories, and labels. Updated icons and labels for indicating weighted and grouped variables.
- Cross-Tabulation Calculator: Build cross-tabulation tables and charts by adding variables to rows or columns. Refine and customize tables and charts, including filtering by variable categories or labels and new options to display total counts or percentages.
- Data Export: Download data in tables and charts.
- Import DDI XML: A new feature for depositors and curators to import DDI XML.
We encourage everyone to try out the beta release of the new tool and features and to share your experience with us. A feedback form is available with specific questions as well as space for general comments, questions, or concerns. Your feedback is very much appreciated as we continue to build and develop these platforms. Please fill out the feedback form by Monday, September 30, 2024.
Official launch of the new Data Explorer
We are anticipating an official launch of the tool in late fall 2024. We are in the midst of updating existing documentation and guidance, as well as creating new documentation (including a video tutorial) to reflect the new features. This documentation will be provided in English and French and will be made available in advance of the official launch date.
As part of the beta release, we hosted a webinar with demonstrations of the new tool and a Q&A session. The webinar was recorded and the link will be shared below in the coming days - stay tuned! Slides are included below. We recommend referring to the slides for guidance using Data Explorer in demo.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@borealisdata.ca.
Try out the new Data Explorer in beta today and experience the future of data analysis and curation in Borealis!