Locating and Using Data for Secondary Research at Boston College 2:00 - 3:30 Feb 6, 2008 Gasson 9

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 February 6, 2008 Gasson 9

To sign up for this tutorial, please send email to researchservices@bc.edu with the name of the tutorial.

Co-instructors Rani Dalgin, Senior Statistical Consultant and Barbara Mento, Data Librarian

Demographic Analysis with ArcGIS- 2:00 - 4:00 January 31, 2008 Gasson 9

The focus of this workshop will be on the use of ArcGIS to analyze demographic data. The session will highlight GIS data available for research and include demonstrations of ArcGIS using cases based on Census and related data. GIS is an analysis tool which complements other quantitative methods used to analyze population data. The data that the Census Bureau collects during the decennial census and other population surveys has grown extensively over the years and has become an important resource for researchers and government agencies. Besides providing the basis for congressional redistricting, Census data are used in many other ways. Since 1975, the Census Bureau has had responsibility to produce small-area population data needed to redraw state legislative and congressional districts. Other important uses of Census data include the distribution of funds for government programs; planning the right locations for schools, roads, and other public facilities; helping real estate agents and potential residents learn about a neighborhood; and identifying trends over time that can help predict future needs. Most Census data are available for many levels of geography, including states, counties, cities and towns, ZIP codes, census tracts and blocks.

Census data and GIS applications are used by community planners, marketing, managers, scientists and researchers in education, economists, sociologists, social workers, health care managers, librarians, and data administrators.

International population data are available also to address demographic issues in a specific country, at regional or at global scale. We will discuss these resources with those interested. No prior knowledge of ArcGIS is required.

To register, please send email to researchservices@bc.edu with the name of the tutorial.

Co-instructors: Constantin Andronache, ITS Research Services and Barbara Mento, GIS Librarian

Introduction to ArcGIS 2:00 - 4:00 January 24, 2008 Gasson 9

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used today to analyze and represent data with geographical references on maps. It is widely used in academia, private industry and government agencies and the number of applications is increasing.

This session will demonstrate ArcGIS Desktop, a software product from the Environmental Research Systems Institute (ESRI), which 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.

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

2:00 - 4:00 January 24, 2008 Gasson 9

Co-instructors: Constantin Andronache, ITS Research Services and Barbara Mento, GIS Librarian

To register, please send email to researchservices@bc.edu with the name of this tutorial.

ICPSR Health and Medical Care Archive

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in conjunction with ICPSR has launched their official data archive, ICPSR Health and Medical Care Archive, which is devoted to preserving and making available research data that have “significant secondary-analytic value for expanding knowledge on, and ultimately contributing to, improvement of the health of people in the United States.” Data categories include: Health Care Providers; Cost/Access to Health Care; Substance Abuse and Health and Chronic Health Conditions. Use your ICPSR account to download data.

The site includes a searchable Bibliography of Data-related Literature database. Some data is restricted and requires application forms prior to data access. If you have any questions please contact datasuport@bc.edu

Highlight-Pew Research Center data on internet use and social trends

Pew Research Center is an independent public opinion survey research group that studies attitudes toward the press, politics and public policy issues. Pew offers charts and Free Data Downloads. These often include historical data. Internet and Information Technology Trends offer some very interesting studies on internet use.

Projects include:
Polls on Politics, Policy and Media
Research and Analysis on News Media
State Policy and Political News
Internet and Information Technology Trends
Religion in Politics and Public Policy
Latino Trends and Attitudes
International Opinion Polls
Social Trends Surveys

ICPSR Undergraduate Research Paper Competition

The purpose of this competition is to highlight exemplary undergraduate student research papers that are based on quantitative analysis.

* First place winner receives $1,000! Second place receives $750 and third place $500!

* Each winner receives a plaque and certificate in recognition of the award.

* On request, ICPSR will provide letters of achievement for use in development of your student portfolio.

* The first place paper will be published in ICPSR’s Bulletin, and all three winning papers will be published on the ICPSR Web site.

* Deadline for submission — January 31, 2008

More Information:

Find Quick Stats: OECD Country Statistical Profiles

OECD Country Statistical Profile, updated yearly, is a snapshot of more than 100 indicators covering a wide range of areas: economy, agriculture, education, energy, environment, foreign aid, health and quality of life, industry, information and communications, population/labour force, trade and investment, taxation, public expenditure and R&D. Select a county, then click on Statistics tab. Click on OECD Statistical Profile. Statistics can be exported in Excel format. Includes multiple years of data and comparisons to other OECD countries.