Software and Tools for Researchers: Data
Data Analysis
Many of the tools described on this page have similar capabilities so choice is often based upon how commonly they are used within certain disciplines, how well they are documented and how readily available they are in practice.
- Discover Data ScienceDiscover Data Science provides prospective data science students with accurate and expert-driven information about data science, business analytics and intelligence, and associated fields.
Textual & Audiovisual Analysis
Textual or mixed method analytical programs are often grouped together under the title of ‘computer assisted qualitative data analysis software’ (CAQDAS). Further information about CAQDAS software can be found on the University of Surrey's CAQDAS page and the University of Huddersfield's Online QDA website.
NVivo
NVivo is a software package created to deal with qualitative or mixed methods data such as interviews and focus groups. This may either be in the form of text transcriptions or certain types of audio and video recordings. It allows extensive annotation and segmentation of data as part of organisation, categorisation and analysis.
Access via UCD's IT services www.ucd.ie/itservices/ourservices/software/applicationcataloguelist/ and www.ucd.ie/itservices/ourservices/software/softwaredownloads/
The following books in the library are useful:
Qualitative data analysis with Nvivo - Patricia Bazeley
Qualitative data analysis: explorations with Nvivo - Graham Gibbs
The NVivo qualitative project book - Patricia Bazeley
Doing research in the real world - David E Gray
NVivo 10 essentials : your guide to the world's most powerful data analysis software - Bengt M. Edhlund & Allan G. McDougall
Training
- NVIVO IntroductionIntroduction by Shirley Moloney, Staffing & Finance Manager, UCD Library
- NVivo - getting startedSubject/Audience: NVivo qualitative research software
Provider: QSR International - NVivo guideSubject/Audience: suite of online guide pages to NVivo
Provider: Kent State University - NVivo FAQProvider: QSR International
- NVivo - extensive video tutorial rangeSubject/Audience NVivo qualitative research software
Provider: QSR International
From Analysis to Writing - How to Begin Writing your Research Findings
In this video from QSR, Dr. Veronica Richard shares tips for working with qualitative data, to understand important steps in qualitative data analysis so you can write about your findings in cogent ways.
MAXQDA
This is an alternative to Nvivo and handles a similar range of data types allowing organisation, colour coding and retrieval of data. Text, audio or video may equally be dealt with by this software package. A range of data visualisation tools are also included.
Atlas TI
Atlas TI offers similar tools to analyse and code a wide range of text and audio visual data and it is also useful for geo-spatial data.
Numerical Analysis
Excel
Microsoft Excel is one of the most commonly used spreadsheet packages using a grid of cells in rows and columns to organise data. It can be used to carry out arithmetic calculations and display data as graphs, histograms and charts.
SAS
SAS is statistical analysis software.
SPSS
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is used widely in business, marketing as well as academia. It is a starting point for most interested in analysis of statistical data and also produced tabulations and graphics. SPSS may also function as a data organisation and limited research documentation tool. It is easy to learn and is often recommended for general use.
- SPSS and AMOS guideSubject/Audience: SPSS Statistical analysis software. A useful guide with links to a variety of freely available online tutorial
Provider: Kent State University - Video tutorials - statistical analysis softwareSubject/Audience: Analysing, visualising and downloading social science amd health data using the UK Data Service’s statistical analysis software
Provider: UK Data Service - SAS TutorialThis guide, from Kent State University, contains written and illustrated tutorials for the statistical software SAS.
Stata
A software package that is an alternative to SPSS and performs similar functions of analysis, modelling and tabulation. It takes longer to learn than SPSS but is more powerful and flexible. In addition it benefits from regular updates of its techniques.
PSPP
Free alternative to SPSS
- RR is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics. From this website you can download and install the software. It provides a wide variety of statistical and graphical techniques: linear and nonlinear modelling, statistical tests, time series analysis, classification and clustering. It is a major rival of SPSS and Stata.
- Resources to help you learn and use RProvider: Institute for Digital Research and Education - UCLA
Cybersecurity
- A Guide to Coding for CybersecurityBrief description of the ten computer programming languages most relevant to cybersecurity professionals.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology - Cyber Security PortalNIST develops cybersecurity standards, guidelines, best practices, and resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, federal agencies, and the broader public.
Data Cleaning
- OpenRefineA free, open source, powerful tool for working with messy data
See Shawn Day's course material and tutorials: http://digitalnomad.ie/using-open-refine/ and http://digitalnomad.ie/more-advanced-openrefine-tutorial/
Books in UCD Library
Check out the UCD Library Catalogue for books on data analysis and specialist software.
Software Applications in UCD
- Software Applications in UCDUCD IT Services offer a range of academic software options for teaching that can be accessed in a number of different ways.
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