Our aim is to make your research and work life easier!
The DataSquad can grapple with simple to thorny data tasks and
problems on your behalf.
If there is a more efficient and programmatic way to address your
goal, we will figure it out and lend a hand.
The DataSquad is a team of students who support data related
projects at Carleton.
Our mission is to facilitate data processes for sustainable,
replicable, and reproducible research, teaching, presentation, and
workflows.
Members of the DataSquad do not create, interpret, analyze,
dictate, or otherwise change the nature of data sets outside of
the prescribed task.
The DataSquad is a part of Information Technology Services by way
of Academic Technology. We also participate in Carleton College’s
coordinated Curricular & Research Data Services.
- Managing the mechanics of accessing data (APIs)
- Setting up a Dataverse, a course space in Tableau
Online, Git or GitHUB repository
- Consulting on data programming languages and strategies
(Python, R, Java, etc.)
- Data cleaning processes and constructing code-based
solutions to data cleaning problems.
- Identifying metadata strategies and tools.
Database Design & Data Development
- Gathering data sets from multiple sources & handing them
back over to the researcher
- Working with data capture or management tools like
Qualtrics, Google Forms, Filemaker Pro, Acrobat Pro, etc.
- Accessing data warehouses using SQL or other language
support
Data Visualization
- Creating data visualizations with tools such as Tableau,
R & GGplot, R & Shiny, Python & libraries, Excel, Google
charts, Plotly & other web-based tools
- Consulting on data visualization strategies - In
collaboration with the QRC tutors, support curricular
projects using data visualization techniques - Create
publication-ready data visualisations for publications by
campus authors
Reproducibility Testing & Data Lifecycle Management
- Verifying code and data completeness to assure
reproducibility (in client-produced prepublications &
assignments) - Convert proprietary statistical code and
output into open-source language and
non-proprietary/archival formats - Provide support in
metadata documentation; codebook and data dictionary
production - Helping researchers understand how to manage
their data through each phase in the lifecycle of their
research
Lin Winton
I'm Dr. Lin Winton, director of the new Quantitative
Resource Center at Carleton College. I work with faculty and
staff all over campus to help students engage more deeply
with the numbers in their worlds, from astronomy to art. I
earned my PhD in Molecular Biology from The University of
Texas at Austin in 2011. I have worn many hats since then:
faculty member, academic counselor, learning management
software consultant, QR program coordinator.
Even though I am not a mathematician or statistician, in
every role, I have needed to reason quantitatively to
succeed! My abilities to think logically, problem-solve
creatively, see patterns, and work with data are constantly
challenged to grow and adapt, both in my professional life
and my civic life. I oversee the DataSquad students as they
provide drop-in and appointment assistance to students who
are challenging their own quantitative skills and reasoning
abilities in their Carleton coursework and research
projects.
