ANALYZING

Data analysis is largely specific to a particular discipline—or sub-discipline. It also depends on the data you are using and the outcomes you are analyzing. However, there are many best practices during data analysis.

TIPS

• During analysis, maintain a copy of your data in its rawest, completely unprocessed form. It’s also good practice to also save versions of it restructured, cleaned, subsetted, and analyzed. Be sure to use naming practices that allow you to distinguish between these files and related documentation.
• Document your steps by taking comprehensive notes of pre-processing and analysis, saving log files, or using an electronic lab notebook. For more information, view the Describing page.

TOOLS

• Git is an open source distributed version control system.
• To restructure data for analysis, use tools like OpenRefine or R to use systematic methods.
• For assistance with using data-related tools, appointments can be scheduled online.

CAMPUS/AREA RESOURCES

• OIT statistical services are available for
  • data preparation,
  • use of statistical tools for research (e.g., SPSS, STATA, and SAS),
  • research design, statistical tests, and modeling, and
  • code efficiency.
• The UTA Libraries’ Data Analysis and Visualization workshops provide training around the use of common tools and related best practices.
• Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) provides numerous institutions the opportunity to progress research projects and access powerful computing resources. TACC also provides high-performance computing, visualization, analysis, and cloud computing expertise.
• The Office of Information Technology offers virtual machine hosting and other solutions for storing data during active research. OIT also provides common goods services like email and encryption, network access, and software.
• The UTA Research Institute (UTARI) provides opportunities for prototyping and partnering with UTA researchers as well as government and industry partners in advanced manufacturing, biomedical technologies, robotics, and environmental focuses.
• TMAC provides business support for the DFW-area in order to commercialize products or processes developed through research.
• The Shimadzu Institute is comprised of instrumentation facilities of differing research focuses, providing access to additional research technologies and space.

Still stuck? Send us your questions or request a consultation at datahelp@uta.edu.