Author: enk

This Winter, Data Services is putting on a packed calendar or Workshops and Events. There are some exciting new additions to the calendar! 

Join us this term for workshops on Python, R, The Unix Shell & Bash, and Qualtrics. Prior to the start of the term, our Install Help Desk can help you install a variety of specialized data analysis software. Pop in for some of our engaging events, including a new edition of Data Bookclub, reading Caroline Perez’s Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, and Coffee + Data && Code. This term we are offering some new events: a seminar watch series, Talking Data, where we’ll watch a pre-recorded presentation followed by a discussion, and Coding Circles, an opportunity to co-work or talk through challenges in your code with other people. More details below! 

Look out for our Women in Data Science events as well: we’ll be co-hosting a conference watch party in collaboration with the School of Computer and Data Science, and we will be participating in the Datathon. More info to come! 

Workshops 

Install Help Desk 

February 5, 1-4 PM 

Are you taking classes this term that will require specialized software? Swing by the DREAM Lab to get help from Data Services with installations ahead of classes and workshops! Software we can help with includes R/RStudio, Python/Jupyter Notebooks, Anaconda, VS Code, Zotero, GIS/spatial data, Docker, and SPSS. 

Learn More Here! 

Introduction to Python 

Mondays & Wednesdays, 1-2 pm 

Begins January 15 

This eight-session workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of programming in Python. This course is intended for absolute beginners or anyone wanting to review the basics. This series lays the foundation for attendees to understand Python code and begin writing scripts that apply to their work.  

1. Setup & Python Fundamentals (January 15) 

2. Analyzing Data with Python (January 17) 

3. Visualizing Data with Python (January 22) 

4. Lists and Loops in Python (January 24) 

5. If, Else, and Functions in Python (January 29) 

6. Troubleshooting and Testing (January 31) 

7. Debugging (February 5) 

8. Python on the Command Line (February 7) 

Learn More and Register for Intro to Python Here! 

Introduction to R 

Tuesdays & Thursdays 2-3 pm 

Begins January 16 

Are you interested in using R and RStudio but unsure where to start? This workshop is for you! 

This eight-session workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of using R! This course is intended for absolute beginners or anyone wanting to review the basics.  

1. Intro to R and Rstudio (January 16) 

2. Getting started with R Part 1  (January 18) 

3. Getting started with R Part 2  (January 23) 

4. Data visualization with R & ggplot  (January 25) 

5. Functions Explained  (January 30) 

6. Working with Data in R part 1  (February 1) 

7. Working with Data in R part 2  (February 6) 

8. Reproducible reports with R & Rmarkdown  (February 8) 

Learn More and Register for Intro to R Here! 

Command Line Essentials: The Unix Shell and Bash 

Friday, January 19 2-4 pm 

Learning to code? Working in a computer lab for the first time? Open to students and faculty across disciplines, this hybrid workshop teaches the fundamentals of the Unix shell, command line interfaces, filesystem navigation, and simple scripts in Bash. Competency with the command line is required to develop software collaboratively and at scale; this course can be considered a prerequisite to writing scripts effectively in your programming language of choice. No prior experience with Unix or programming is required. 

Learn More and Register for Command Line Essentials Here! 

Introduction to Qualtrics 

February 20 & 22, Noon –2pm 

If you are conducting surveys, then you will want to learn all about Qualtrics!  

Qualtrics is a popular and powerful tool used for conducting web-based surveys and data collection. This workshop will introduce the basic guidelines of online data collection, set up a project in Qualtrics, and what to do with the data you collect. Participants will learn how to set up a survey in Qualtrics, the various question types available, share and collaborate on survey projects, and the options available for exporting the data. This workshop is presented by Cameron Mulder, a member of Data Services with over 10 years of experience conducting surveys with the Portland State University Survey Research Lab. 

Learn More and Register for Intro to Qualtrics Here! 

Events 

Talking Data 

Thursdays, 4-5 pm 

Join us in the DREAM Lab Sofa Area on Thursdays at 4pm during the Winter Term to learn and talk about issues and ideas in data, programming, statistical analysis, and data science. Each Thursday we will watch a 30 minute presentation followed by conversation. This presentation may be a pre-recorded talk with discussion questions, or it may be a live presentation followed by Q&A. Tea will be served. Feel free to attend the whole series, or just the ones that interest you! 

• Issues with Data Anonymity (January 11) 
• Data Feminism (January 18) 
• Getting the Most from Git (January 25) 
• Neuroscience, AI & Education (February 1) 
• Racial Bias in Tech (February 8) 
• Machine Learning for Biodiversity (February 15) 
• Generative Art (February 22) 
• Capturing & Visualizing Motion (February 19) 
• Gender Bias in AI (March 7) 
• Getting Started with Quarto (March 14) 

Learn More and Register for Talking Data Here! 

Coffee + Data && Code 

Every other Friday, 1-2 pm 

An informal and space for presentations and conversations about topics in data science! People of all skill levels and backgrounds attend to explore interesting topics, learn new tips and tricks and get to know other people interested in coding. We will be meeting in-person in the Sofa area of the DREAM Lab in Knight Library. Coffee and cookings will be provided. Attendees will also have the option to join via Zoom. This is an opportunity to learn new data analysis and programming skills and meet other people working on exciting projects. 

Learn More and Register for Coffee + Data && Code Here! 

Data Bookclub: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men 

Every Other Friday, 1-2 pm 

Embark on a captivating exploration of data bias and its far-reaching implications with this term’s Data Book Club. This winter, we’re delving into Caroline Criado Perez’s “Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men.” Join us in unraveling the complexities of gender data bias, shedding light on its pervasive influence across various facets of society.  

Through Perez’s meticulous research, we’ll uncover how seemingly impartial data can reinforce inequalities in areas such as healthcare and urban planning. “Invisible Women” challenges us to question existing norms and advocate for a more equitable future.  

Learn More and Register for Data Bookclub: Invisible Women Here! 

Coding Circle 

Fridays, 2-4 pm 

Drop in to our informal and inclusive co-working sessions for anyone working with data or code! There’s no presentation or formal workshop, just hanging out and working on projects while we finish the cookies from Coffee + Data && Code. Data Services folks with expertise in Python, R, and Excel will be on hand to answer questions, but we equally invite you to share your expertise with and learn from other attendees. This is an opportunity to learn new data analysis and programming skills and meet other people working on exciting projects! 

Learn More about Coding Circle and register Here! 

We are writing to remind you about a few events happening at Data Services this weekend! 

If you have been meaning to sign up, now is your chance!

Our Bi-weekly Book Club kicked off today with our first conversation on The Lady Tasting Tea: How Statistics Revolutionized Science in the Twentieth Century. In this four-part series, we are discussing how statistics changed from a specialized niche into an indispensable tool across many disciplines. This book is not a dry history or facts and figures, but a deep dive into the stories of individuals who dared to look at the world in a new way.

Haven’t started reading yet? No problem! We would be delighted if you would join our discussion even if you haven’t read the book. Register to join us at 1:00 pm in person in the Knight Library DREAM Lab or online via zoom. We had a rich discussion today, and would love for you to join us for future sessions.

One Day Workshops for R and Python will be happening this Saturday, October 4, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. These workshops are a great opportunity to lay a foundation of skills in a single day so you can get spend the rest of the term using your new abilities! We also want to let you know that both workshops will have free childcare services in the building. Don’t let the little ones hold you back from attending – we’ve got you covered!

The Plotting and Programming in Python workshop will cover introductory topics such as variables, data types, data frames, and plotting. If time allows we will continue on to lists, for loops, conditionals, and writing basic functions. Introduction to R will cover data analysis and visualization using tidyverse methods. It includes an introduction to data structures, data frames, plotting and filtering. 

If you have been looking for a chance to jump into Python or R, but aren’t able to join us for our weekly workshops, Reserve Your Spot Here to join us this Saturday in-person or online!

We hope to see you there!

Join us for the next installment of our Thinking with Data lecture series as we are joined by Dr. Greg Matthews! Dr. Greg Matthews, Associate Professor and Director for Data Science at Loyola University, will discuss the historical importance of context and technology in art. He argues that “Data Art” is the next logical step for the art world and discusses how people can get involved in making data art. 

According to Dr. Matthews, “Artists throughout history have created art that is a reflection of the society that they are living in and experiencing.  One of the most dominating features of the society we are currently living in is the massive amount of data that is continuously being collected; we live in a big data world.  It is natural then that artists would begin to reflect on this aspect of society and incorporate data into their art.  In this talk, I give a brief history of technology and data in art followed by a summary of data art from the 21st century.” If you would like to view some of Dr. Matthews’ art, visit his art webpage.

Dr. Matthews will be giving his lecture “Thinking with Data: Beyond Data Visualization – Data as Art!” on Thursday, May 19th at 3:30 pm in the DREAM lab in Knight Library; you can register for the lecture here. Dr. Matthews will also be at Coffee + Data && Code (in-person & online) the next day, Friday, May 20th at noon in the DREAM lab; you can register for Coffee + Data && Code here. We look forward to seeing you there!