A series of upcoming Brock workshops aims to satisfy the curiosity of anyone interested in learning how to use data analysis and visualization software, such as Python, PowerBI and Tableau.

The Brock University Library Digital Scholarship Lab (DSL) is offering several free online introductory workshops in February and March.

Workshops will explore how to use a variety of tools to organize, visualize and analyze data; identify trends and insights in data; and create high-quality scientific and technical presentations.

In addition to the introductory classes, the DSL is offering a four-part Python workshop series in March for people interested in exploring how to use the popular programming language beyond basic data science research, including text analysis and machine learning.

Workshops are open to Brock faculty, students, staff and the wider Niagara community. They are each two hours in length and take place via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Some of the Python workshops also incorporate the Google Colab environment.

To register, click on the hyperlinked workshop titles below or find workshops on ExperienceBU. All workshops will be recorded, with a copy provided to attendees.

Brock’s DSL is a collaborative and multi-disciplinary hub for digital scholarship on campus. Digital scholarship draws upon a broad range of expertise from across librarianships, research data management, data visualization, data processing, digital preservation and digital pedagogy.

Physically located on the ground floor of the Rankin Family Pavilion, the innovative and modern space includes eight high-performance computers for faculty and student researchers to use for managing, analyzing and visualizing data, as well as a state-of-the-art visualization wall featuring three 70-inch high-definition LCD display panels for presenting various forms of digital content.

While the technology and tools are often used by researchers, they can also be used to build pedagogy and enhance the student learning experience. DSL staff can work with instructors to schedule class workshops or develop modules that fit their course curriculum. Staff are also available for individual or small group consultations.

The DSL offers several tools and tutorials to researchers at Brock without out-of-pocket costs, such as digital exhibits, digital book publishing, digital journal publishing, Research Tools on Demand and Cluster Computing for Humans.

The DSL regularly offers workshops to anyone interested in computational programming, data management and geographic information systems. DSL workshops are listed on ExperienceBU and Eventbrite.

For more information on the DSL and its workshops, visit brocku.ca/library/dsl

Upcoming introductory workshops

R for Text Analysis
Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

R is a programming language for statistical computing and graphics. In this workshop, participants will learn how to do simple breakdown analysis of textual data using the R programming language.

Introduction to Python
Thursday, Feb. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. via Zoom.

Python is a popular and versatile programming language. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of Python to perform basis data science research.

A second offering of Introduction to Python takes place Thursday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to noon as part of a series of four Python workshops. See below for more information on the series.

ArcGIS StoryMaps
Friday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon via Microsoft Teams.

ArcGIS StoryMaps combine narrative text, images, audio clips, video and interactive maps using a web-based authoring platform. In this workshop, participants will use the story of Laura Secord’s famous walk from Queenston to Thorold as a topic for creating an ArcGIS StoryMap.

Introduction to OpenRefine
Wednesday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

OpenRefine is a data management application for data cleanup and format transformation. In this workshop, participants will learn how to use OpenRefine to work with CVS data files in intuitive and efficient ways, such as ensuring data accuracy; using formulas to transform data into a more comprehensive formats; and identifying trends in results.

Introduction to LaTeX
Thursday, Feb. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. in person and via Microsoft Teams.

LaTeX is a typesetting system commonly used to create high-quality scientific and technical cloud-based documents and presentations that can be edited collaboratively. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of LaTeX using Overleaf, a collaborative browser-based LaTeX environment, to create a document in LaTeX and learn text formatting and commands for writing mathematical equations. This beginner class is being offered in a hybrid format, with limited space available in the DSL on a first-come, first-served basis.

Introduction to PowerBI
Wednesday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

PowerBI is Microsoft’s data visualization platform. In this workshop, participants will learn how to use this powerful analytics tool to transform data into useful visualizations; create insights to enable fast and easy data analysis; share data with colleagues; collaborate with others; and enhance research and presentations.

GitHub for Researchers
Friday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

Git is a version control system that allows for efficient and effective project collaboration. Git and GitHub allow multiple people to share and edit projects, as well as track revisions. In this introductory workshop, faculty and student researchers will learn how GitHub can be used to support research.

A second offering of GitHub for Researchers takes place Thursday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Introduction to Tableau part 1
Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

Tableau is a powerful data analysis and visualization tool that allows users to work with large or small data sets quickly and easily. In this workshop, participants will learn how to import data and create various styles of effects for data visualization.

Introduction to Tableau part 2
Wednesday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

Participants will apply their learnings from Part 1 to build a report using provided data sets.

March Python workshop series 

Introduction to Python
Thursday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

The class will work through the basics of the popular and versatile programming language Python. By the end of the two hours, participants will be able to use Python to perform basis data science research.

Data Science with Python
Thursday, March 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. via Zoom

Participants will learn how to use Python to analyze a dataset to find trends, visualize results and perform complex analysis. Learners will also examine the Pandas and Matplotlib libraries using a test dataset of more than 100,000 data points. The class will be held in the Google Colab environment, and participants will need a free Google account to participate.

Machine Learning with Python
Thursday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

Machine learning is the study of computer algorithms that uses a method of data analysis to automate analytical model building. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of machine learning using the Pandas and SciKit Libraries. By the end of the session, participants will understand how to apply machine learning methodologies on a dataset to predict results. The class will be held in the Google Colab environment, and participants will need a free Google account to participate.

Text Analysis with Python
Friday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to noon via Zoom.

Text analysis extracts worthwhile information from human language in smart and efficient ways. Researchers often use text analysis to assemble diverse and unorganized data in a structured form. In this workshop, participants will examine Python libraries, such as NLTK and TextBlog, to investigate data insights and sentiments, and will use Matplotlib to visualize results. The class will be held in the Google Colab environment, and participants will need a free Google account to participate.