Librarian
ICPSR: Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research
CUNY is a member of ICPSR (Inter-University Consortium of Political and Social Reseach), a data archive that specializes in long term preservation. CUNY staff, students, and faculty have access to the extensive ICPSR data holdings and other member services such as data curation, data management expertise, and resources for teaching with data.
- ICPSR: Interuniversity Consortium for Political & Social ResearchICPSR, the world's largest collection of digital social science data, maintains a data archive of more than 250,000 files of research in the social and behavioral sciences. ICPSR data cover sociology, political science, economics, demography, education, child care, health care, crime, minority populations, aging, terrorism, substance abuse, mental health, public policy, international relations, and more. First-time users will be asked to create an ICPSR MyData account; thereafter, you will need your email address and password to download data.
Datasets & Government Documents
Useful Guides
Teaching with data
- ICPSR Teaching and LearningThese resources were created especially for undergraduate faculty and students. While any of ICPSR's data and tools can be used in the classroom, the ones provided here make it easy for instructors to set up data-driven learning experiences. The materials can be used as the basis for assignments, as an in-class or study exercise, for lecture content, or any other way you see fit. All resources are provided under a Creative Commons (attribution) License.
- Social Science Data and Analysis Network"The Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN) is a university-based organization that creates demographic media (such as user guides, web sites, and hands-on classroom computer materials) that make U.S. census data accessible to policymakers, educators, the media, and informed citizens. SSDAN is directed by demographer William H. Frey and utilizes facilities at the Population Studies Center, University of Michigan." (website)
Quantitative Data Analysis Software
The following professional-grade software packages allow you to manipulate and visualize quantitative data in very complex ways:
- SAS - Powerful statistical analysis and data management tool, uses command-line interface, particularly good for ANOVA
- SPSS - Relatively sophisticated data analysis tool, with a user-friendly GUI, geared toward quantitative social sciences data
- R - Free, versatile option for data analysis and visualization
Each of these statistical packages are available through CUNY Virtual Desktop, except for R, which is downloadable from http://www.r-project.org/
How do I choose?
Choosing statistical software (online video, 36 minutes)
Brief comparison between SAS, STATA, and SPSS (PDF)
Choosing the correct statistical test in SAS, STATA, SPSS, and R Institute for Digital Education & Research, UCLA)
Qualitative Data Analysis Software
- ATLAS.tiATLAS.ti is qualitative data analysis software. Available on the Graduate Center's public computers (PC only). Users should register a new account when prompted by the software on public computers.
- DedooseDeveloped by researchers at UCLA, Dedoose is a qualitative research subscription software package aimed specifically at mixed methods research. Individual student rate is $10.95 per month.
- NVivoNVivo is an advanced qualitative research software. At the GC, NVivo 12 is installed on two computers in room 6304.32 and two computers in the library (2nd floor, Center-1). Students may request off-site access to the software by creating a ticket with IT Services (subject to license availability).