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Introduction to Data Analysis Topics

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How to use the materials

The teaching materials available from this site are designed principally for use by teachers in a traditional face-to-face teaching environment, though they can also be used on-line by students for self learning.

The 13 units that make up Introduction to Data Analysis adopt a flexible format based on three key components:

1. Powerpoint slides which can be used 'as-is' or incorporated into your own lecture slides. (An html version is available for non-Powerpoint users)
2. Reading notes, with greater detail, which can either be used by lecturers as contextual information or given to students to read, either on their own, or as a component of your own materials. These notes are available online in html format to be read online or downloaded in Word format to print.
3. Practical Exercises based on data from the Sample of Anonymised Records, provide hands-on training in the methods and techniques covered in the slides and notes. (see note below)

The three components use a common numbering scheme allowing users to use the presentation slides, background notes and practical exercises in a coherent way

For those using materials on the computer, hyperlinks facilitate easy movement within units and links to relevant sections in other units of the CHCC series.

Guidelines for using in classroom

Teachers may freely edit slide-shows, notes and exercises.

There are a number of possible ways to deliver materials in the classroom. Typically a powerpoint lecture presentation could be supported by a practical workshop based on the exercises. Depending on learning objectives and IT resources, this could involve students independently completing exercises using SPSS, or on-line (using NESSTAR, a free and user-friendly data exploration software). Alternatively there are a number of exercises that do not require student access to computers, and can be undertaken in the normal classroom.

Guidelines for using materials on-line

For those wanting to use the units as a self-learning resource, each unit comes with an on-line slideshow option. This incorporates custom buttons for easy navigation between slides, notes and exercises and is recommended for use alongside the .on-line tutorial guides.

The Data for exercises

All exercises are based on the Sample of Anonymised Records (SARs) a 2% sample of individuals in the 1991 Census. Because of the size of the national file (over 1 million cases) the exercises use a specially prepared teaching subset for Birmingham (around 19,000 cases). However, there is opportunity for teachers and students to access and use SAR data for their own areas as required. This involves two steps:

STEP 1: Registration

To use the SAR data all users must first register with the Census Registration Service. This is a quick and simple process and free to staff and students in the HE sector. You will be required to complete a simple form and provide your ATHENS username and password (if you do not have these click here). To do this now click here .

STEP 2: Access

Once you have registered, there are three ways of accessing the teaching subset:

For SPSS users, the SPSS file is available for downloading to your own desktop
For non-SPSS users, NESSTAR provides a free and user-friendly browser-based interface to the SAR data
An alternative to Nesstar, requiring downloading for desktop use, is the NSDstat package.

(Alternatively, on-line versions of the units have direct links to the data from the exercises)