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

Demographic analysis with ArcGIS: Geostatistics

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.

February 9,  2009   2:00 pm – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

Getting Started with HLM6

This tutorial will explore the basic concepts involved in applying hierarchical linear modeling using HLM6. Particular focus will be placed on understanding how heteroskedastic errors may occur when using ordinary least squares for analysis, and how the method of mixed modeling may be able to account for this problem in the social sciences using HLM6. We will cover the creation of a multivariate data matrix (mdm) file using the software, and proceed to generating results for a null model along with calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient.

March 25, 2009 12:00 – 1:15 pm, O’Neill 245

Introduction to ArcGIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used today to analyze and represent data with geographical reference on maps. Such applications are 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. No prior knowledge of ArcGIS is required.

This session will introduce users to:

• GIS software, data and technical support at Boston College
• License options
• Main ArcGIS features and capabilities (ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcTool, ArcGlobe)
• Extensions and capabilities (Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, etc)
• Demos using Census data
• Options to get data and training will be also discussed

February 2,  2009   2:00  – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245 

Introduction to Atlas.ti 5.5

This workshop provides an introductory demonstration of how to use Atlas.ti for qualitative analysis. Atlas.ti can be used to eliminate the problems of managing large amounts of qualitative data, can be used to code and re-code qualitative data, keep an audit trail of the analysis process, and supports both individual researchers and research teams in discussing coding and analysis issues. This course is intended for beginning users of Atlas.ti.

 This workshop will be given in a demonstration (non-hands on) format:

• Getting started with Atlas.ti
• Thinking about qualitative research design
• Source Preparation
• The HU Editor
• The Object Manager
• The Query Tool
• The Network Editor
• Data importing and data analysis examples
• Comparison with other qualitative research packages such as HyperResearch and Nvivo8

March 20, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 pm,  O'Neill 245

Introduction to HyperResearch 2.8

This workshop provides an introductory demonstration of how to use HyperResearch for qualitative analysis. HyperResearch is perhaps the most intuitive and easy to learn of the computer assisted qualitative research packages. This course is intended for beginning HyperResearch users.  This workshop will be given in a demonstration (non-hands on) format. 

• Getting started with HyperResearch
• Thinking about qualitative research design
• Source Preparation
• Data analysis examples
• Comparison with other qualitative research packages such as Nvivo8 and Atlas.ti

February 20, 2009  12:00 - 1:00 pm,  O'Neill 245

Introduction to Linux

Linux is one of the most popular operating systems on supercomputers. This tutorial give an overview of Unix/Linux. This tutorial will use Boston College's new Linux Cluster for specific examples of how to use Linux. Topics covered include:

•  Remote login to the Linux Cluster
• An overview of basic Unix/Linux commands
• Editiors: vi and emacs

March 12, 2009  1:30 - 3:00 pm O'Neill 245

Introduction to the Linux Cluster

The Linux cluster at Boston College consists of 59 compute nodes connected GigaBit Ethernet. There are two types of nodes: dual-core nodes and quad-core nodes. Each of the 26 dual-core node has two dual-core AMD Opteron processors (2.6 GHz).   Each of the 33 quad-core nodes has 2 quad-core AMD Opteron Processors (2.0 GHz). This tutorial discusses the code development environment. It will introduce:

• The hardware
• The compilers
• The queues and How to run a job
• How to optimize a code
• Software on the cluster

March 26, 2009 1:30 - 3:00 pm O'Neill 245

Introduction to Lisrel: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Path Models

This tutorial will explore the basic steps in understanding the terminology for confirmatory factor analysis and path models for use in the social sciences. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) emphasized the use of theory in hypothesis testing, and can be used in conjunction with path models for causal modeling. Structuring Equation Modeling in the social sciences combines factor analysis and path models to account for measurement error in estimating parameters. The goal of this session is to introduce some of these concepts when using Lisrel.

April 01, 2009 12:00 – 1:15 pm, O’Neill 245

Introduction to Nvivo8

This workshop provides an introductory demonstration of how to use Nvivo8 for qualitative analysis. Nvivo8 can be used to eliminate the problems of managing large amounts of qualitative data, can be used to code and re-code qualitative data, keep an audit trail of the analysis process, and supports both individual researchers and research teams in discussing coding and analysis issues. This course is intended for beginning users of Nvivo 8.

This workshop will be given in a demonstration (non-hands on) format:

•  Getting started with Nvivo8
• Thinking about qualitative research design
• Source Preparation
• Nodes
• Attribute Variables
• Data importing and data analysis examples
• Comparison with other qualitative research packages such as HyperResearch and Atlas.ti

March 13, 2009  12:00 to 1:00 pm, O'Neill 245 

Introduction to PHP

PHP is a powerful server-side scriptiong language.  PHP is flexible and suited for web development.  This tutorial is designed for people who have never used PHP and would like to understand how web pages work and learn a little about Web development.   

March 27, 2009   12:00 - 1:15   O'Neill 245

Introduction to SAS

Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) is a powerful software which is widely used in statistical analysis.  This hands-on tutorial is an introduction for beginning users. No prior experience with SAS software is needed. The following topics will be covered:

• Getting started with SAS
• Temporary versus Permanent SAS data sets
• SAS data sets versus raw data, SPSS, and PC database files.
• SAS Analyst

February 26, 2009   2:00 – 3:00 pm, O’Neill 245

Introduction to SAS, part 2

This hands-on tutorial is designed as an introduction for beginning users who already know the basics of SAS. The following topics will be covered:

• Modifying a data set using the SET statement
• IF-THEN/ELSE statements
• Staking data sets by using the SET statement
• Combing data sets using a one-to-one match merge
• Combing data sets using a one-to many match merge
• Using basic statistical procedures: PROC UNIVARIATE, PROC MEANS, PROC FREQ, PROC REG;

March 19, 2009   2:00 – 3:00 pm, O’Neill 245

Introduction to SPSS 16 and What's New In SPSS 17

SPSS 16 is a powerful and yet easy to use statistical analysis package. This hands-on tutorial is designed as an introduction for beginning users who are just getting started using SPSS.

• An overview of SPSS, including how SPSS compares to the other most popular statistical packages. We will discuss  special features and advantages/disadvantages of using SPSS.
• Getting started with SPSS.
• Creating and using SPSS syntax files.
• Working with Data in SPSS.
• Basic Descriptive Statistics.
• SPSS graphs.

We will also discuss SPSS 17. SPSS Corporation is still integrating patches and bug fixes for this new release but once this release has stabilized, it  will provide additional statistical functionality to Boston College SPSS users.

January 30, 2009  12:00 to 1:30 pm , O'Neill 245

MATLAB 1: Introduction to Matlab

MATLAB fundamentals provide a working introduction to the MATLAB technical computing environment. Matlab can be used with all aspects Mathematical computation, analysis, visualization, and algorithm development. This course is intended for beginning and intermediate users. No prior knowledge of MATLAB is required. Familiarity with a programming language (Fortran, C for example) will be helpful. Themes of vector and matrix data analysis, graphical visualization, data modeling, and MATLAB programming are explored in the context of realistic examples.

This Matlab hands-on practice workshop will present:

• Matlab documentation and help
• Starting and quitting Matlab
• How to use Matlab on Linux cluster “scorpio”
• Interaction and Script Files
• Automatic Storage Allocation
• Functions with Variable Arguments Lists
• Mathematical Functions
• Relational and Logical Operators
• Flow Control
• Importing and exporting text and Excel data

February 16,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

MATLAB 2: Graphs and Visualization

The type of graph needed in a specific project depends on the nature of available data and on what is intended to reveal about the data. MATLAB predefines many graph types,  such as line, bar, histogram, and pie graphs. There are also 3-D graphs, such as surfaces, slice planes, and streamlines. 

This Matlab hands-on practice workshop will focus on m-files to produce graphics, and data visualization. We will show:

• Two-Dimensional Graphics
• Basic Plots
• Axes and Annotation
• Multiple Plots in a Figure
• Three-Dimensional Graphics
• Specialized Graphs for Displaying Data
• Saving and Printing Figures

Examples presented (m files) can be easily modified and applied to your specific  experimental or model data.

February 23,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

MATLAB 3: Statistics

This MATLAB hands-on practice workshop with focus on statistical toolbox and illustrate some of the methods used in univariate, and bivariate. The objective is to learn to work with data in the MATLAB environment, compute basic descriptive statistics, and visualize data in a variety of ways. It is assumed that participants have already some knowledge of MATLAB (at the level of previous two workshops) and background in Applied Statistics.

• Descriptive statistics: Measures of center, spread, and shape
• Statistical plotting: Histograms, scatter plots, and box plots
• Random variables, Sampling distributions, Bootstrapping
• Explore regression analysis for bivariate data
• Linear and nonlinear models
• Correlation and covariance
• Linear least squares

March 16,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

MATLAB 4: Matrices, scripts, and functions

This MATLAB workshop will introduce the user to basic Matlab commands and to the use of scripts and functions. The objective is to build some familiarity with the MATLAB environment and to learn some commands that will be used in the following workshops.

The topics that will be covered are:

• Matrix generation and subscripting
• Matrix and array operations
• Matrix manipulation
• Data analysis
• Scripts and Functions

March 23,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

MATLAB 5: More topics on functions

This MATLAB workshop will further explore the use of MATLAB functions.
The objective is to teach the participants how to work with functions in an efficient way. It is assumed the knowledge of the material contained in the workshop “Matrices, scripts and functions”.

The topics that will be covered are:

• Working with M-files and the MATLAB path
• Functions as an argument
• Subfunctions
• Variable number of arguments
• Global variables
• Recursive functions.

March 30,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

MATLAB 6: Linear Algebra

This MATLAB workshop will focus on Linear Algebra. MATLAB was originally designed for linear algebra computations and therefore provides a rich environment for dealing with linear equation systems and eigenvalue problems.
The objective is to learn how to solve linear equation systems in an efficient way, to deal with matrix factorizations and decompositions and to solve eigenvalue problems. It is assumed that participants have already some knowledge of MATLAB  (at the level of previous workshops) and background in Linear Algebra.

The topics that will be covered are:

• Norm and Condition numbers
• Linear Equation systems (square, overdetermined and underdetermined
• Inverse,Pseudo-Inverse, Determinant, LU and Cholesky Factorizations, QR
• Factorization, Singular Value Decomposition
• Eigenvalue problems, Generalized Eigenvalues
• Iterative Linear Equation and Eigenproblem Solvers
• Functions of a matrix
• Sparse Matrices.

April 20,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

MATLAB 7: Numerical Methods, Part I

This MATLAB workshop will start a two-meeting session on Numerical Methods.
In this first meeting we will deal with functions that allow for the solution of problems involving polynomials, nonlinear equations, and optimization.
It is assumed that participants have already some knowledge of MATLAB (having a grasp on how to deal with MATLAB functions would be beneficial) and background in statistics (Data fitting) and optimization theory.

The topics that will be covered are:

• Polynomials (Evaluation, Root finding and Data fitting)
• Nonlinear equations
• Optimization.

April 27,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245

MATLAB 8: Numerical Methods, Part II

This MATLAB workshop will conclude a two-meeting session on Numerical Methods. In this second meeting we will deal with integrals evaluation and with the solution of ordinary differential equations. Given the more advanced nature of these topics, more time will be spent on examples and exercises to help the understanding of the material.

It is assumed that participants have already some knowledge of MATLAB and background in integral calculus and dynamic systems.

The topics that will be covered are:

• Quadrature
• Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE)
• Stiff ODE.

May 4,  2009   2:00 – 3:30 pm,  O’Neill 245  

Secondary Data Research 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.

 February 11, 2009 12:00 to 1:00 pm, Gasson 9

Stata 1: Getting Started with Stata

Stata is a powerful and yet easy to use statistical package. This hands-on tutorial is designed as an introduction for beginning users who are just getting started using Stata. The following topics will be covered:

•  Getting started with Stata
• Creating and using "log" files
• Descriptive statistics
• Creating variables
• Labeling variables and values

February 18, 2009 12:00 – 1:15 pm, O’Neill 245

Stata 2: Logistic Regression Analysis, Odds Ratio, Discrete and Marginal Effects

This hands-on tutorial is designed as an introduction for beginning users who already know the basics of Stata. The following topics will be covered:

• Probit regression analysis
• Logistic regression analysis
• Odds ratio
• Discrete and marginal effects

March 11, 2009   12:00 – 1:15 pm, O’Neill 245

Using Multivariate Regression Modeling In SPSS and Stata

This tutorial will cover the steps in using variables for regression modeling with SPSS in the social sciences. A discussion on the basic assumptions of linear regression, how to begin to describe social phenomenon, and understanding the language of the software will be presented for intermediate learners. Processes in transforming variables, interpreting the F-statistic, significance, and ranking regressors will be explored using procedures with SPSS and Stata.

February 25, 2009   12:00 – 1:15 pm, O’Neill 245