University Research Week is October 10-14, and the University Libraries is celebrating with a variety of events that will help you sharpen your research skills. Get hands-on experience with new software, learn how to promote your work or hear about the groundbreaking research taking place at the Libraries.
QGIS and GRASS Open Source GIS Part 1
Monday, October 10 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Davis Library Research Hub; virtual option
This is a three-part, hands-on GIS course. No previous GIS experience is required. You can attend just the first, first two, or all dates.
The first session will be a general overview and introduction to the benefits of Open Source GIS in general, to QGIS in specific, and will include our first hands-on session with QGIS. Topics to be covered include: the QGIS user interface, loading vector and raster files, QGIS plug-ins, web mapping functions, QGIS data manipulation, icons and pull-down tools, basic data manipulation, working with attribute tables, and general familiarity with QGIS.
StoryMaps and Web Mapping with ArcGIS Online
Monday, October 10 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Davis Library Research Hub
Creating maps for the web is an excellent way to visualize information and communicate research. Attend this online workshop to learn how fun it can be to make sharable, interactive maps. ArcGIS Online is a popular web mapping platform used for online data analysis and visualization. The Story Maps feature allows users to make informative, map-based webpages without any coding! Examples can be found here.
This hands-on, guided workshop will begin with a short overview of the capabilities of ArcGIS Online. The rest of the workshop will focus on how to create Story Maps. By the end of the workshop, attendees will understand the basic functions of ArcGIS Online – such as adding and storing data and sharing web maps – and will be able to create their own beautiful, interactive Story Maps.
Python Crash Courses: Basics
Tuesday, October 11 | 1-2 p.m. | Davis Library Research Hub
The Python Crash Courses: Basics introduces basic concepts in the Python programming language such as object types, base Python data structures, file paths, and flow control (if statements & for-loops) using the Anaconda distribution of Python. We’ll work through some applied examples.
Basics is appropriate for absolute beginners or those interested in a review. After attending Basics, beginners can continue with Intro to Data, which introduces fundamental tools for working with tabular data in Python such as Jupyter Notebooks, markdown, Pandas, and data visualization packages.
Note: This is a two-part course; the second meeting is Tuesday, October 18, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Tips for Creating an E-portfolio
Tuesday, October 11 | 1-2 p.m. | Virtual
Learn why creating an E-portfolio can help you in your job search, and get tips for making yours the best it can be.
New NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy Requirements
Tuesday, October 11 | 3-4 p.m. | Virtual
This session will cover the scope and requirements of NIH’s new Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy that goes into effect January 25, 2023. Supplementary NIH guidance on the DMS plans required in proposals, data repository selection, and allowable costs in proposal budgets will also be reviewed. Selected resources and tools to help researchers navigate the new requirements will be covered, including hands-on tour of selected UNC resources as time allows.
QGIS and GRASS Open Source GIS Part 2
Wednesday, October 12 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Davis Library Research Hub; virtual option
Part 2 of the three-part hands-on GIS course (you can attend just the first, first two, or all dates).
On Wednesday, we will continue our work with QGIS, including using the vector, raster, and web analysis functions, using the print composer. We will also cover the QGIS website, tutorials, listserv, discussion groups, sources of help, etc.
Wilson Library Research Forum
Wednesday, October 12 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual
This informal program is part of the Wilson Library Research Forum. Each program is an opportunity to hear from one or more fellows about research work that draws on the collections and expertise of the Wilson Special Collections Library.
Jennifer Standish will present “The WWII Farm Labor Program, Right to Work, and Organizing Migratory Workers in the South” and Irene Adair Newman will present “First in Fight: North Carolina’s Leading Role in Late 20th Century White Power Organizing.”
Systematic Review Methods: Practical Steps to Completing a Review
Wednesday, October 12 | 1-2 p.m. | Virtual
The Systematic Review Methods: Practical Steps to Completing a Review workshop provides an introduction of the systematic review and scoping review process, with a focus on research methodology. Participants will gain skills and practice to complete a high-quality review; content includes creating a literature search plan, generating inclusion criteria, screening literature, and developing elements of the review protocol. The workshop is recommended for those who are planning or considering conducting a systematic review or scoping review.
Introduction to Slurm
Wednesday, October 12 | 2-3 p.m. | Virtual
Learn about the Slurm Workload Manager, a free and open-source job scheduler.
Introduction to PubMed
Thursday, October 13 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Virtual
This interactive class will cover the basics of literature searching utilizing PubMed. This class is intended for students, faculty, or staff unfamiliar with PubMed’s interface or those new to literature searching. Participants will learn to navigate the database, conduct basic literature searches, and strategies for improving searches.
beginR
Thursday, October 13 | 1-2 p.m. | Davis Library Research Hub
beginR is a series of virtual meetings organized by the University Libraries and the Odum Institute that provides support to students, faculty and staff who are learning the R programming language. beginR attendees will learn R by following the lessons on the R Open Labs website at their own pace. Each week, staff will be available via Zoom to answer questions, solve problems and provide the solutions to exercises.
Cleaning Data with OpenRefine Part 1
Thursday, October 13 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Virtual
Data sets often have problematic content such as formatting inconsistencies and incomplete elements that are beyond the capabilities of spreadsheet programs like Excel to deal with easily. OpenRefine is a powerful tool for working with messy data. It will help you do things like standardize date formatting; split up cells with multiple authors into separate cells; match local data up to other data sets; and enhance a data set with data from other sources. Part 1 of this workshop will focus on the basic functions of OpenRefine.
Digital South Panel Series presents: On These Grounds
Thursday, October 13 | 3-4 p.m. | Virtual
On These Grounds: Slavery and the University is a national project that spans multiple colleges and universities. The project aims to create a “new understanding of the lived reality of bondage at these institutions of higher education” by creating a common approach to documenting, describing, and organizing data derived from the schools’ archives. Panelists will discuss On These Grounds work at UNC-Chapel Hill and Hampden-Sydney College.
QGIS and GRASS Open Source Part 3
Friday, October 14 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. |Davis Library Research Hub; virtual option
Part 3 of the hands-on GIS course will focus on the GRASS GIS and other advanced tools available through the QGIS Processing Toolbox within the QGIS interface. Topics covered will include the GRASS vector and raster data formats, GRASS vector, raster, and imagery analysis, GRASS 3-D data (voxels), the raster map calculator, the print composer, and other GRASS capabilities.
Tableau I
Friday, October 14 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Davis Library Research Hub
Tableau is a user-friendly software application used to create static or interactive visualizations and dashboards. Examples can be found here.
Tableau’s drag-and-drop interface provides tools to build a variety of visualizations with no coding required, and visualizations can be embedded in websites by copying and pasting embed code. Attendees will get started with Tableau in this hands-on workshop by learning how to import data, create basic charts and maps, make and publish dashboards, and more!
