Introduction to ArcGIS 9.1

2:00 - 4:00 October 24, 2007 Gasson 9

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used today to analyze and represent data with geographical reference on maps. It is widely used in academia, private industry and government agencies and the number of applications is increasing. ArcGIS Desktop software products from the Environmental Research Systems Institute (ESRI).
ArcGIS Desktop is an integrated suite of advanced GIS applications and interfaces, including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcGlobe, ArcScene, ArcToolbox, and ModelBuilder. Using these applications and interfaces, you can perform any GIS task, from simple to advanced, including mapping; geographic analysis; data editing, compilation, and management; visualization; and geoprocessing. ArcGIS Desktop is scalable to meet the needs of many types of users.

This session will introduce users to: 1) GIS software, data and technical support at Boston College; 2) License options; 3) Main ArcGIS features and capabilities (ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcTool, ArcGlobe); 4) Present available extensions and capabilities (Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, etc); 5) Demos using Census data; Demos using Environmental data. Options to get data and training will be also discussed.

To register, please send email to researchservices@bc.edu with the name of the tutorial that you are interested in attending.

Data Resources At Boston College

Boston College offers many sources and repositories of data for secondary research in the social sciences, education, nursing, economics, business and other disciplines. This workshop is particularly geared to researchers who need to access, analyze and manipulate data from BC's subscription data repositories. This tutorial will help you: find the data you need for your research or class project; learn about the Boston College collection of data resources in the Statistical Data Catalog; and how to download the data onto your desktop, including how to import into quantitative analytical tools such as SPSS. Get a tour of the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, a data archive that includes over 5,000 datasets. We will also discuss the library’s guides to key Business, Economics, Education, Health, and General U.S. and cross-national data sources. Topics may be customized based on attendees’ research interests.

2:00 - 3:30 October 10, 2007 Gasson 9

To register, please send email to researchservices@bc.edu.

Enhanced ICPSR Authentication Allows Off-Campus Downloads

Boston College ICPSR users can now download data from off-campus without using a proxy server. All you need to do is log on to the ICPSR Web site from a campus computer and either set up a MyData account or log on to your current account. Do this once at the beginning of the semester, and your account is validated for off-campus access for the next six months.

Please contact Barbara Mento:mento@bc.edu if you have any problems.

General Social Survey (GSS) 2006 Available

GSS 2006 is now available and includes data on issues such as quality of working life, attitudes towards firearms, knowledge about and attitude towards science, religious trends, sexual behavior, social-welfare and economic regulation, civil liberties, spending priorities, and political efficacy. The ICPSR file cumulates data from 1972. Review documentation for changes in the study over time. Download GSS 1972-2006 Data