Core Data Services Details
Core Service Areas
The Data Services team supports WashU users across campuses, schools, and disciplines. This page describes services and how to get assistance. For details, please select any of the following service areas:
Request Assistance
The Data Services team aims to support users at WashU. The team offers a regular schedule of workshops and help desk availability. Here, users can also request a personal or customized workshop, schedule an appointment with a Data Services team member, or otherwise get help sharing data.
Data is shared and archived for various reasons. The value curation adds to the WashU community is incalculable, as are the benefits of curation to the longevity, accessibility, and availability of shared information.
Data Services is here to support the WashU community with data needs. Please contact Data Services to get help sharing data (researchdata@wustl.edu).
Please fill out the Recommend a Dataset Purchase Form to suggest that Data Services add to their offerings.
To request a workshop, please complete and submit a Workshop Request Form. Some information to have at hand when filling out the Workshop Request Form would be:
- Name/Department
- Requested topic
- Number of students (minimum 4 attendees)
- Requested date/time
- Specific content to be covered
Data Services at the Libraries offers several opportunities for groups, teams, departments, or labs to receive workshops in a broad array of areas. If you do not see the topic you need in the core services options below, please contact us to discuss developing a customized workshop.
Data Management, Sharing & Curation
- Data Management: Planning and Practice
- Data Management: Sharing and FAIRness
- Data Cleaning with Python
- Open Refine: Cleaning Messy Data
- Data Management with the OSF
Data Exploration & Visualization
- R vs. Python
- R for New Users
- Data Viz in Tableau
Data Sourcing
- Finding, Evaluating & Understanding Data
Mapping
- Introduction to GIS (ArcGIS Pro)
- Story Mapping
- Introduction to QGIS: Vector data
- Introduction to QGIS: Raster data
- Spatial Data with Python
- Mapping with R
- Mapping with Tableau
- Extending the Map Series with ArcPy
- Mapping in AGOL
We ask those interested in an appointment with our Data Services Team to complete a short questionnaire. Your responses will allow the team to better assist you and understand the needs of both you and the campus community.
Please complete the following questionnaire to Request an Appointment with Data Services.
Contact Us
Reach out to the Data Services Team at any time. Have you attended an appointment or a Data Services workshop? Please complete our Data Services Feedback Form.
Data Sourcing
Finding, evaluating, and understanding the application of data and documentation.
Related Research Guide: About Data Sourcing
We can help you:
- Suggest quality sources
- Evaluate data documentation and quality
- Understand data and documentation
- Make evidence-based arguments
Research Data Management, Sharing & Curation
Making data generated throughout the research lifecycle research projects FAIRly available to a wide audience.
Related Research Guides: Managing Your Data; Digital Research Data Sharing at WashU
We can help you:
- Review your data for findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIRness)
- Write a Data Management Plan (DMP)
- Implement best practices for file organization and documentation
- Identify appropriate storage platforms
- Share your data in a research repository
- Submit to the WashU Research Data Repository (WURD)
Data Exploration & Visualization
Using tools to prepare data, understand patterns and trends, and effectively communicate data stories.
Related Research Guides: Interrogate Your Data: Data Analysis; Data Storytelling – 2D Data Visualization
We can help you:
- Wrangle data
- Select analysis tools
- Develop a processing workflow
- Develop a data model
- Choose an appropriate visualization type
- Identify tools for visualization
Digital Humanities
Using digital tools and computational methods to support research and teaching in the humanities.
Related Research Guide: Digital Humanities
We can help you:
- Learn and use text mining tools and methods
- Create digital collections and exhibits of cultural heritage materials
- Prepare text for analysis using OCR or handwritten text recognition tools
- Choose digital tools to enhance humanist inquiry and share research
- Prepare unstructured research materials for use in digital tools, data analysis, or network analysis
3D/AR/VR
Creating and capturing information in three dimensions and using augmented and virtual reality to explore data in 3D.
We can help you:
- Capture 3D data through scanning and photogrammetry
- Develop 3D environments
- Visualize 3D environments in headsets
- Consult on 3D best practices for preservation
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Leveraging geographic information systems and location data to explore interdisciplinary problems.
Related Research Guide: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
We can help you:
- Develop geospatial project workflows
- Find geospatial data sources
- Learn to use GIS tools
- Perform geospatial analyses and interpret the results
- Develop good practices for geospatial data management
