ANES 2008 ... still waiting

I respect the hard work it takes to create the ANES.  So my criticism here is mild, because I suspect they're wrestling with various difficulties.  But it's 2010 and we're still waiting for a final release of the 2008 election data.

Let's do some history.  An advanced version of the 2004 ANES data were available on Jan. 25, 2005, and the next release was April 19, 2005.  That's fast.  The advanced version of the 2008 ANES data were available on March 5, 2009 and there is a May version listed, but it's not the full data.  We've yet to see a final release of the 2008 data and, yes, it is 2010.

There are coding issues with open-ended variables.  There is the 2008-2009 panel data to contend with.  Between these two, I assume that's the holdup (though there have been no explanations on the web site, unless I'm missing something).  I didn't attend an AAPOR meeting where they were going to discuss the study but I was told by a staffer via email almost a year ago that they would put the presentation materials online so those of us without huge travel budgets could find a clue as to what's happening.  Still nothing up.

Why does this matter?

It doesn't, not for most folks unless you happen to be a data analysis dweeb like me.  I'm buried in a study right now and wouldn't have much time to play with the ANES data (though I do have one thing I'd like to explore and can only do so with the open-ended data included).  And the people who do this work at the National Election Studies are terrific, so I don't want to make this sound whiny, but updates -- a little transparency -- would be helpful.

Where's the 2008 ANES?

We had full versions of the ANES data from the 2000 and 2004 elections by April of the next calendar year (April 2001 for the 2000 data, April 2005 for the 2004 data). 

It's November 2009 and we're still waiting for the full version of the 2008 ANES.  Hell, we may be in the next election cycle before the data appear.

On a related note, a few months ago the ANES folks presented an update at a major conference.  I couldn't attend (who the hell has travel money other than overindulged senior faculty?), but staff told me the presentation materials would be put online by the next week.  I assumed these would be powerpoint slides or stuff like that.  That was three or four ago, still no presentation materials that I can see.

I'm assuming something in that presentation would explain the delay, such as issues with open-ended coding or other quality-control matters.

Consider this my whine for the day. 

I know staff are not just sitting on the data, but as a user I'd like a little more information on what's going on, why the delay, and what it may mean for those of us who love to sit around and push SPSS buttons to analyze data.  And, oh, publish research.