• work with the documentation and codebooks to explain how the data is organized;
• copy files from one computer system or storage medium to another;
• extract subsets from large files;
• merge data;
• convert data among the standard formats used when working with data.

• give pointers to appropriate techniques using examples, and a library of sample programs;
• explain program language syntax;
• advice on data manipulation techniques;
• provide assistance in understanding and solving programming errors.

• support learning statistical software (SAS, SPSS, et al.) and GIS software (ArcView, ArcGIS) by having manuals available and using computer-based training aids;
• give introductions to finding and using data either in the library or in class;
• prepare online user documentation and training aids.

Our efforts are guided by these basic principles:

• The role of the consultant is to help find answers, suggest solutions, and guide the user to relevant resources, not to do the user's work.
• Researchers should understand, and become self-sufficient in, the tools of their trade as the basic foundation for a fruitful career in their field.
• Research design, analysis, and programming must be firmly grounded in the substance of the discipline involved, which can only be the researcher's responsibility.

Services that are not provided:

• assistance in research design.
• assistance with statistical methodology. Statistical consulting is available from the Statistics Department, ISERP or the Applied Statistics Center.
• writing programs for users.