Welcome to the Advanced Studies of National Databases (ASOND) 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 international, state-, provincial-, and district-level datasets and systems.

We encourage networking among our membership and the sharing of innovative approaches to utilizing datasets. We are especially interested in having a wide representation of large-scale databases, globally. It is our desire that our SIG become a HUB for those interested in using large scale data sources to address pressing issues in education and in the intersections of education with other social science disciplines. We also invite critique of the policies and practices inherent to the creation of large-scale databases to examine how these policies and practices may help or hinder us in addressing pressing issues in education.    

Current SIG activities include:

• Supporting a variety of AERA conference presentation formats to foster rich and informed discussion of your work.
• Alerting members of upcoming large-scale dataset workshops and database releases through ASOND listserv announcements.
• Hosting a dissertation award competition to recognize outstanding large-scale dataset research conducted by recent Ph.D.s.
• Inviting members to support the SIG and network with other members through serving as a proposal review panelist, a session chair or discussant, a newsletter or website editor, or a SIG officer.

Please join us and encourage your colleagues and students to do the same. The number of annual conference openings for paper, roundtable, and poster sessions for each SIG is driven by the membership and conference proposal submission counts, so additional members provide greater opportunities for members’ work to be accepted for presentation.

Thank you for your membership and participation in our SIG!

Anica Bowe

2025 – 2027 Chair