MCP Bootcamp 2012: Session 1 & 2 Materials

• Session 1 Slides: Data 101 (PDF)
• Session 2 Slides: Descriptive Statistics and Mapping (PDF)

General Resources

• Research Methods Bibliography (PDF)
• Social Research Methods (Online Textbook)
• MIT Libraries Data Management and Publishing Guide
• Metro Boston Data Sources:
  • MassGIS
  • Massachusetts Open Data Initiative Data Catalog
  • Boston Redevelopment Authority - Research Division (includes neighborhood demographic profiles)
  • Boston Indicators Project
  • MetroBoston DataCommon

Part 1: Data Basics

• Levels of Measurement
• Data Types (Wikipedia):
  • Microsoft Access 2007: Introduction to data types and field properties
  • ArcGIS Desktop 10.0: Geodatabase field data types
  • Microsoft Excel Number Formats
• File Formats
• Metadata
  • Dublin Core
• Data Sources
• Example from Student Work

Part 2: U.S. Census

• Session handouts: Census Data Subjects (PDF), American Community Survey Introduction (PDF)
• Census Geography
• Decennial Census (2010, 2000, 1990)
• American Community Survey (ACS)
  • ACS Compass Handbooks
• Getting Census Data
  • QuickFacts
  • FactFinder
  • MassGIS
  • MIT GeoWeb and GIS@MIT

Part 3: Introduction to Surveys

A recommended introduction to surveys is the book "Internet, Mail, and Mixed-mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method" by Dillman, Smyth, and Christian, published in 2009. (MIT Libraries record)

• Minimizing Error
• Sampling and Survey Design
• Survey Creation
• Survey Implementation