The University Libraries’ Data Learning Center now offers a suite of services for Penn State students, staff and faculty seeking help with statistical or GIS-related research. One service that users may find particularly useful is the individualized consultation session, where students, staff and faculty can receive one-on-one help with their data from a specialist in the Libraries, tailored to their needs.
GIS specialist Tara LaLonde says this service is unique on campus, as it is available to undergraduates, graduates, staff and faculty from any major. “We are open to all students from all disciplines, and our services are free,” she says. “Students come to us at various stages of their research -- some are just starting out and need ideas on how to use data, for example, in their honors thesis. Others are at the later stages of their research, and maybe need help with a particular tool, or an analysis technique,” she added.
To book an initial consultation, email datalearning@psu.edu or complete the online form at http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/researchhub/datalearningcenter/appointment.html. “Include some information about what you need help with in the booking process. Bring your data with you to the initial meeting and you can log in to one of our computers and we can take a look at it with you,” said LaLonde. If an individual also needs help finding data, the Data Learning Center can assist with the discovery of data. The computers in the Data Learning Center have many of the popular statistical packages installed, including SPSS, R, Stata and Minitab, as well as ArcGIS and open source software like QGIS. LaLonde notes that an individual may have a number of follow-up meetings over the course of a semester.
The Data Learning Center is located in 208, Paterno Library on the University Park campus of Penn State. It is separate from the main library floor and provides a quiet, private environment for consultations. The center is staffed by a social sciences librarian, geospatial services librarian, statistical information specialist, GIS specialist, graduate statistical consultant and undergraduate interns. Other services the team offers are workshops, a lab in which to conduct data research, instruction, data resources and virtual consultations. In addition, the Data Learning Center team can create lessons tailored to a particular class and provide instruction on site. To contact the team, email datalearning@psu.edu, or call 814-865-4861. Visit the website at http://tinyurl.com/psu-dlc.