Numeric Data Services staff offer data reference by phone, via e-mail, and through scheduled research consultations and reference hours. We also provide library instruction and/or data instruction. Our data group instruction classes (co-taught with HMDC statistical staff) are general data courses taught throughout the academic year. Our course-related data classes are taught (upon request from Faculty or Teaching Fellows) to provide an introduction to library data resources. We are also available to teach more general introductory library sessions for Government or Economics related courses.

For more information about NDS services, follow the links below: 

In-person Reference
Email Reference
Research Consultations
Data Group Instruction
Course-related Instruction

In-person Reference
Numeric Data Services staff provide data reference assistance at the CGIS Computer Lab (CGIS North, concourse level) Tuesday and Thursday 1pm-5pm.  They also provide assistance at Research Services in Lamont Library.  See website for hours.

E-mail a Reference Question
Numeric Data Services staff will answer quick reference questions from our primary user groups (Harvard University students, faculty, and staff) via our email reference queue. This queue is also monitored by the Harvard-MIT Data Center statistical support staff, who can assist users with questions about statistical software and analysis. To contact us via email, send your questions to dataquest@help.hmdc.harvard.edu

Research Consultations
Staff at Numeric Data Services are also available to meet with students, research assistants, teaching fellows and faculty for in-depth research consultations. We can help you identify relevant statistical resources, locate data files, and find journal literature of interest for your research, term paper, senior thesis, or dissertation. Please email dataquest@help.hmdc.harvard.edu to request an appointment.

Data Group Instruction
Staff at the Numeric Data Services and the Harvard-MIT Data Center (HMDC) offer a variety of data classes throughout the academic year.  We encourage new data users to enroll in both the Introduction to Numeric Data Resources and the Introduction to Stata classes.

Classes are held in theTraining Room, CGIS Knafel Building, Concourse level.  Pre-registration is required by e-mailing Diane Sredl, Data Reference Librarian.

Introduction to Numeric Data Resources
Friday, February 29th, 10:00-11:00
Friday, March 14th, 2:00-3:00
Wednesday, April 9th, 1:00-2:00
(Each session covers the same material)

Learn strategies for locating numeric data for term papers, senior theses, dissertations or other research purposes. Taught by a Data Librarian from Numeric Data Services (Harvard College Library), these courses cover everything from quick look-up sources to micro-level datasets in the social sciences including those found in the IQSS Dataverse Network. There will also be time for hands-on practice using Harvard E-resources in Economics, Government/Political Science, Sociology and Health.

Introduction to Stata
Friday, February 29th, 11:00-1:00
Wednesday, April 9th, 2:00-4:00
(Each session covers the same material)

Get an introduction to Stata, one of the more frequently used statistical packages at Harvard.  With hands-on exercises, explore Stata's many features and learn how to import and manage datasets and do statistical analysis.  Stata is available for download through FAS Computing, as well as in many computer labs throughout campus.  Taught by the Harvard-MIT Data Center (HMDC) Statistical Consultant.

Introduction to Data Management
Tuesday, March 18th, 10:00-12:00

Learn techniques for data managment. Taught by the Harvard-MIT Data Center (HMDC) Statistical Consultant.

Introduction to Regression Using Stata
Wednesday, March 12th, 1:00-3:00
Friday, April 18th, 10:00-12:00
(Each session covers the same material)

This hands-on class will provide an introduction to estimating the linear regression model using ordinary least squares in Stata.  Topics covered include: multiple regression, dummy variables, interaction effects, hypothesis tests, and model diagnostics.  Taught by the Harvard-MIT Data Center  (HMDC) Statistical Consultant.  Prerequisites:  General familiarity with Stata, including importing and managing datasets and data exploration.  Familiarity with the linear regression model and ordinary least squares estimation.

Introduction to R
Friday, February 22nd, 11:00-1:00
Friday, April 11th, 11:00-1:00
(Each session covers the same material)

Get an introduction to R, the open-source system for statistical computation and graphics.  With hands-on exercises, learn how to import and manage datasets, create R objects, and generate figures.  Taught by the Harvard-MIT Data Center (HMDC) Statistical Consultant.
 

Classes are held in the Training Room, CGIS North, Concourse level. Pre-registration is required by e-mailing Diane Sredl, Data Reference Librarian.

Course-related Instruction
We also offer instruction sessions tailored to individual courses. We have provided library instruction sessions, which may include a data component, for courses in Government, Economics, Public Health, Sociology, Religion and Freshman Writing. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an instruction session, please contact Meghan Dolan, Head of Numeric Data Services.