The Lewis and Ruth Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship has launched its 2022-2023 workshops, with offerings from research data management to podcasting.
The free workshops are open to McMaster faculty, students, staff, and community members. Many workshops are beginner-friendly allowing those new to digital scholarship to participate in training opportunities.
“We are incredibly excited to offer this year’s expanded workshop series and build on the increased interest we’ve seen from audiences within and beyond McMaster over the past few years,” said Jay Brodeur, administrative director of the Sherman Centre. “Given that many of the new workshops were inspired by suggestions from past attendees, we hope that these offerings meet the interests of our growing community.”
Workshops are grouped by topic, including Do More With Digital Scholarship (DMDS), Research Data Management, and the Data Analysis Support Hub (DASH).
New to the DASH series is a collaboration with the Hamilton YWCA’s Uplift Program, which trains women and non-binary people to enter the tech industry. As part of this collaboration, DASH workshop topics encompass support vector machines, clustering, linear analysis, and regression analysis.
This fall also marks the return of the Sherman Centre’s certificate program, where a certificate of completion is offered to individuals who attend seven or more sessions. Attendance is cumulative across years, allowing faculty, staff and students to work towards a certificate at their own pace.
Andrea Zeffiro, academic director of the Sherman Centre, said: “Cross-disciplinary conversations are at the heart of our work and we hope the certificate program continues to encourage our audience to collaborate and learn from one another by attending on a regular basis.”
Another exciting development lies in the launch of the streams program. For the first time, participants can earn certificates in areas honed by each workshop series: Data Analysis, Digital Scholarship, and Research Data Management. Participants must attend at least four workshops within a particular series to earn this specialization.
The Sherman Centre, based within McMaster University Library, provides digital scholarship services for research and teaching that respond to the needs of faculty and students. To learn more, visit their website, which includes a searchable catalogue of 60+ event recordings, webinars, and e-guides related to data analysis, digital humanities, research data management, and more.
2022-2023 Workshops
All workshops are virtual or hybrid, unless otherwise noted
Data Analysis Support Hub Workshop Series
DASH workshops train registrants to do data analysis right. These sessions teach attendees to use software programs and coding languages including Excel, LaTeX, Python, R, and SPSS.
Machine Learning with R: K-means Clustering
October 3, 2022 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Register
Clustering is an unsupervised machine learning approach for finding subgroups of observations within a data set. This workshop will introduce participants to the theoretical part of the most common clustering method, K-means clustering. Afterwards, participants will gain hands-on experience in how to conduct K-means clustering in R, as well as how to interpret and visualize their results.
Machine Learning in R: Linear Regression
October 17, 2022 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Register
This workshop will cover an introduction to linear regression with single and multiple predictor variables, followed by hands-on training on conducting linear regression in R, model training, testing accuracy, and how to interpret and visualize results. We will conclude with a Q&A session.
Intro to Python Programming
October 20, 2022 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Register
This beginner level workshop will introduce you to the basic concepts of the world's most popular Python programming language. You'll learn to store data in Python data types and variables, as well as learn how to perform operations on numbers and strings. Python IDE Anaconda will be briefly discussed. No prior knowledge of Python is required.
Intermediate Python Programming
October 28, 2022 | 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
Python is a powerful and easy-to-learn programming language used by many scientists. From web scraping to bioinformatics, Python is bound to have a module that could be useful to you. This workshop will include a brief review of variable types and control flow before moving on to functions, variable scope, object-oriented programming, and several of Python’s important science libraries.
Machine Learning with R: Logistic Regression
October 31, 2022 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Register
Logistic regression in R programming is a classification algorithm used to find the probably of event success and event failure. This workshop will cover an introduction to logistic regression, followed by hands-on training in how to conduct a logistic regression in R, model training, testing accuracy, and how to interpret and visualize results. We will conclude with a Q&A session.
Making the Move from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro
November 1, 2022 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Are you an ArcGIS Desktop user who is curious about the differences between ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro? This workshop is geared towards existing ArcMap users who are interested in making the switch to ArcGIS Pro and will cover topics such as: the timeline of support for ArcMap, licensing and access, differences and similarities between the two programs, and how to import files from ArcMap and share your content.
Machine Learning with R: Support Vector Machine (SVM) Classification
November 7, 2022 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Register
Support Vector Machine (SVM) is a supervised machine learning algorithm used for both classification and regression. This workshop will only cover the theoretical and practical parts of SVM classification as SVM is mostly used in classification problems. After the introduction, participants will receive hands-on training in the implementation of SVM classification in R, as well as training and testing datasets and setting up tuning and kernal parameters.
Intro to SPSS
November 10, 2022 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Register
This beginner-level workshop will introduce you to the basics of SPSS statistical software, how it works, and some basic descriptive statistics and statistical procedures. No prior knowledge of SPSS is required.
Intro to Machine Learning with Python
November 18, 2022 | 12:30-2:30pm
Register
Machine learning is an exciting way to get more insight out of your data. Working with Python, this workshop will cover some basic theory and algorithms for feature learning, classification, and regression.
Intro to R Programming
December 2, 2022 | 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
R has a powerful suite of high-level statistical functions, but sometimes you need lower-level control over the functionality of your script. In this workshop, you will learn how to write programs in R using functions and control flow. We will cover functions, conditional blocks, loops, and debugging.
Data Visualization with MATLAB
January 20, 2023 | 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
Learn how you can create publication-quality figures using MATLAB or its free alternative, Octave. We will cover plotting options for one- and two-dimensional continuous and categorical data and explore options for customizing your figure’s appearance.
Machine Learning with R: Random Forest Classification Approach
January 30, 2023 | 5-7 p.m.
Register
The Random Forest is a powerful algorithm used for classification in the industry. The classification algorithm consists of many decision trees to get more accurate predictions. This workshop will go over the theoretical part of Random Forest, then provide attendees with hands-on training on conducting Random Forest classification, training the data, testing accuracy, and working with tuning parameters.
Data Visualization in R using ggplot2
February 13, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
This virtual workshop will provide an introduction to ggplot2, an open-source data visualization package for the statistical programming language R. This workshop will go overbasic tips for creating visualizations and customizing the design of those graphs. A basic familiarity with R will be helpful for this workshop.
Visual Data Analysis with MS Excel
February 13, 2023 | 5-7pm
Register
Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data. This workshop will cover topics such as applications of data analysis basics for visualizations; effective designs of basic charts such as pie charts, bar charts, and scatterplots; time series analysis and visualization; and more advanced analytical displays like bar-in-bar, slope charts, dot plots, and bullet charts.
Intro to Geospatial Data
February 14, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Geospatial data is data about objects or features on or near the surface of the Earth and can be mapped using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. This workshop introduces participants to geospatial data formats and concepts as well as sources for this data.
Simulations for Power Analysis with R
February 17, 2023 | 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
How much data should you collect for your next project? It all depends. This workshop will explain how you can simulate your experiment in R to determine how much data you’ll need to achieve your desired level of statistical power.
Intro to LaTeX
March 8, 2023 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Register
This workshop will give you a grounding in LaTeX, a document typesetting program. Widely used in STEM disciplines for its facility in typsetting formulas and equations, LaTeX produces beautiful and usable output. You'll learn the difference between word processors and typesetters, how to produce those formulae and equations, and the many kinds of documents the LaTeX system can produce.
Intro to Spatial Analysis with ArcGIS Pro
March 13, 2023 | 5-7 p.m.
Register
This workshop will cover basic concepts and a standard workflow to apply to spatial analysis projects using ArcGIS Pro. The session will introduce participants to spatial analysis tools available in ArcGIS Pro, then provide hands-on training in conducting proximity analysis and overlay analysis with ArcGIS Pro.
Intro to Mixed Effects Models with R
March 17, 2023 | 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
Mixed effects modeling is a powerful tool for working with repeated measures data and is particularly advantageous when any observations are missing. This workshop will cover the basic theory and practice of fitting and evaluating mixed effects models in R.
How to Copy ArcGIS Online Content Between Accounts
March 29, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Current students, staff, and faculty have access to ArcGIS Online through the Educational Institution Agreement, but did you know you can copy content from your McMaster ArcGIS Online account to your personal account? This aynchronous online tutorial will provide you with resources and tools to clone content between accounts.
Version Control with Git
April 11, 2023 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Register
Come learn about git! Git is a version control system widely used in software engineering, academia, and anywhere where projects need reliable and granular versioning -- especially when the projects need to scale to thousands of contributors. You'll learn the basics of working with git repositories, how to pull new repositories from sites like Github, and more.
Do More with Digital Scholarship Workshop Series
Join our free workshop series aimed at introducing attendees to the many tools, methods, and critical questions of digital scholarship.
What is Digital Scholarship?
September 20, 2022 | 2:30-4 p.m.
Register
Have you ever wanted to learn more about Digital Scholarship? This constantly evolving field includes data analysis and visualization, Digital Humanities, and beyond. Join the conversation at this panel and learn about the many possibilities for those working in Digital Scholarship.
Network Visualizations with Gephi
September 28, 2022 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
Learn to graph data and visualize networks at this virtual workshop on Gephi. Participants will learn how graph data can help express relationships between entities and visualize networks for Humanities scholars. The group will use a visualization tool intended for social network analysis to map and identify relationships within a dataset scraped from Twitter.
Open Everything! A Panel on the Whats, Hows, and Ifs of Open Scholarship
October 27, 2022 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Register
The shift towards 'openness' has been undeniable and accelerating within the academic landscape over the past decade. From open-source software, to open data, methods, and identifiers, to open access publishing and educational resources, more and more of the scholarly ecosystem can be discovered, reused, remixed, and connected in novel ways. Join us for this panel discussion, where we explain and connect the components of open scholarship while reflecting on the gaps, limitations, and disclaimers of an 'open everything'.
Visualizing Texts with Voyant Tools
November 2, 2022 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
Voyant Tools is a web-based text reading and analysis environment. Essentially, it is a toolkit that aims to make text analysis accessible. In this workshop, you will learn to use the web-based application Voyant Tools to analyze and visualize the text content of documents.
Podcasting Boot Camp*
November 3, 2022 | 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Register
*In-person only
Podcasts can take academic research out of the ivory tower and into the public. Learn the basics of podcasting at this all-day workshop. This intensive day-long boot camp is for academics and researchers who are interested in creating a podcast about their work. We'll discuss how to plan a show, best practices for recording crisp, professional audio, and give participants hands-on experience with editing on Audacity, a free and open source audio editing software. We'll also discuss how to brand your show, go through the basics of hosting and distribution, then discuss how to promote your podcast and build an audience.
From “Infoglut” to Connected Notes: Obsidian and Digital Note-Taking in Academia
November 9, 2022 | 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Register
Academics have more things to read and evaluate than ever before. Learn how one particularly useful digital tool can help you take your plain-text notes and make them far more powerful. This session will explore the value of Obsidian, a free multi-platform program, and show how it can help researchers connect notes in the classroom, in a literature review, and in long-term research.
How to Lie with Data
Mid-January [Exact date and time TBD]
Data may seem objective or neutral, but that's not always the case. At this roundtable, learn about how data can be manipulated, skewed, or collected so poorly that any findings are extremely suspect. This session aims to build critical literacy and build attendees' understanding of data collection, statistics, visualizations including infographics, charts, graphs, and maps, and the Data Justice movement.
Sound Data
January 26, 2023 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Register
This workshop will cover both the theory and practice of data sonification. This includes going over the brief history of sonification, what sonification can do, the different types of sonification, which types of data work best in sound and an example of tools such as TwoTone and Tone.js
Computational Approaches for Text Preparation and Analysis
February 16, 2023 | 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Register
Are you interested in textual analysis but unsure about where to start? Join us for an interactive “no experience required” introduction to the fundamental concepts, processes, and methodological approaches for preparing and analyzing text using computational approaches. Following a general introduction to the topic, participants will be guided through prepared exercises that demonstrate how different software packages (OpenRefine, Python) can be used to prepare for and perform textual analysis.
3D Modelling and Printing*
May 19, 2023 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Register
*In-person only
This is a day-long workshop that will explore 3d modelling and printing. We'll take a physical object from the real world, use a series of sophisticated software to render it into a 3d model, and then learn how to print that model on a 3d printer.
Research Data Management (RDM) Workshop Series
RDM workshops will teach you to organize and maintain data throughout its lifecycle – from collection to interpretation, dissemination, long-term preservation, and reuse.
Set Yourself Up for Research Success: Manage Your Data Like a Pro and Get Your Own ORCiD Profile*
October 6, 2022 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Register
*In-person only
Learn how to distinguish yourself from other researchers by creating a free ORCiD account that will automatically showcase all your academic activities, ensuring that you get credit for your work. Set up your research project for success with good data management practices. Learn how to organize and document your data to save time and make your life easier.
Best Practices for Managing Data in your Research
October 26, 2022 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
In this introductory workshop, learn about research data management best practices and how investing a small amount of time in organizing your data now can save you a lot of time and prevent future headaches. We will go over best practices for data planning, storage, organization, preservation, and sharing.
Data Management Plans: Intro to DMP Assistant
November 16, 2022 | 10:30-11 a.m.
Register
Confucius said “One who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door”. In research, planning for data management helps you prepare for data questions and problems before they happen. We will go over principles of data management planning and go through a demo of the Portage DMP Assistant, a web-based tool for developing and collaborating on Data Management Plans in the Canadian research context.
What You Need to Know about the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy
December 7, 2022 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Are you a researcher who has received a Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC) grant? Do you plan to apply for a Tri-Agency grant in the future? Join this session to learn more about the new Tri-Agency Research Data Management policy, what it means for you as a researcher, and the services McMaster provides to help you meet the new requirements.
Best Practices for Managing Data in your Research
January 18, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
In this introductory workshop, learn about research data management best practices and how investing a small amount of time in organizing your data now can save you a lot of time and prevent future headaches. We will go over best practices for data planning, storage, organization, preservation, and sharing.
Depositing and Sharing Data Online with McMaster Dataverse
January 25, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Are you thinking of sharing your data for re-use by other researchers? Have you been asked to share your data by a journal or funder? Are you worried about the long term accessibility of your data? Join the Research Data Management team for this workshop on how to deposit your data on McMaster Dataverse for archival, preservation, and sharing. Learn more about how openly sharing data can benefit you and the research community, and how online repositories are helping to improve the availability of research data.
Securely Managing and Publishing Sensitive Data
February 8, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Are you working with environmental, commercial, health, personal, or other sensitive data? Are you unsure whether your data is sensitive and unclear on what you need your responsibilities are for managing it?
In this workshop, we will discuss the foundations of working with sensitive data including how to protect your data, your research participants, and yourself. We'll take about how and when to de-identify sensitive data, and how to share sensitive data.
Persistent Identifiers For All
February 15, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
We’ve all seen a 404-error message while trying to access an old hyperlink. Persistent identifiers (PIDs) are reference links that can never rot and are increasingly important in an interconnected research world! This workshop will give you skills to integrate PIDs, Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), and Open Researcher and Contributor IDs (ORCiDs) to connect your entire scholarly output, help you find new collaborators across disciplines, and recognize the breadth of your work beyond journals.
Before You Dig: Finding and Reusing Datasets
March 15, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Are you starting a research project? There may be existing datasets that could inform the work you're doing and ensure you're digging into new research areas. Along with systematic literature review and active participation in your field, a dataset search is another tool to inform your research context.
Join McMaster RDM Services to learn more about finding and reusing datasets in data repositories across the world. Find potential new collaborators, verify or reproduce results, expand on existing data, and more!
Qualitative Data: Practices for RDM Planning and Sharing
April 5, 2023 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Register
Qualitative research data can take the form of interview transcripts, oral histories, focus groups, field notes, audio, video, and more. This workshop discusses best practices and considerations for managing and sharing quantitative data, beginning with practical skills and workflows and then moving on to a discussion about hesitations and urgencies. Qualitative research often grows out of relationships of trust, and information is deeply contextual, making data sharing sticky. However, communities are often approached by different researchers for similar information, and data sharing can also help alleviate research fatigue. Let’s learn and unpack together!
