Once you have gotten the data, our consultants can help you transform it to a format suitable for research and support your work with the data according to the following guidelines.

• Data Preparation
  • work with the documentation and codebooks to explain how the data is organized;
  • copy files from one computer system or storage medium to another;
  • extract subsets from large files;
  • merge data;
  • convert data among the standard formats used for storing and analyzing data.

 
• Work with Data
  • give pointers to appropriate techniques using examples, and a library of sample programs;
  • explain program language syntax;
  • advice on data manipulation techniques;
  • provide assistance in understanding and solving programming errors.

 
• Instruction
  • support learning statistical software (SAS, SPSS, et al.) and GIS software (ArcView, ArcGIS) by having manuals available and using computer-based training aids;
  • give introductions to finding and using data in EDS or in class;
  • prepare online user documentation and training aids.

Our efforts are guided by these basic principles:

• The role of the consultant is to help find answers, suggest solutions, and guide the user to relevant resources, not to do the user's work.
• Researchers should understand, and become self-sufficient in, the tools of their trade as the basic foundation for a fruitful career in their field.
• Research design, analysis, and programming must be firmly grounded in the substance of the discipline involved, which can only be the researcher's responsibility.

EDS does not:

• Offer assistance in research design.
• Offer assistance with statistical methodology. Statistical consulting is available in the Statistics Department or from ISERP.
• Write programs for users.