What is the ZA?

On the background of rich research and data management experience GESIS-ZA is promoting standards and best practice for measurement and documentation throughout Europe by publications, conferences and direct co-operation with researchers.

ZA has an internationally acknowledged competence in data service development and management including the integration, harmonisation and documentation of comparative databases. This expertise is offered for training and experience exchange to assist emerging data infrastructures in new democracies and accession countries. The GESIS-ZA maintains a special department to support data transfer from and to Eastern Europe.

Direct access to the expertise and information systems on social science literature and research projects, as well to the methodological expertise of its GESIS partner institutes complement this unique support for production and analysis of comparative databases on Europe. GESIS-ZA has been evaluated by peer review to deliver excellent services of international importance. As part of GESIS it is also member of the Leibniz Association (WGL). Further information about the GESIS-ZA you can find here.

According to the "ZA EUROLAB assessment report for transnational access contract" the richness of the archives, the technical support and training opportunities offered to new users and the expertise in some areas of research make the GESIS-ZA a major European infrastructure (Section 6.1. in the Final assessment report, 16.09.2002).