The Data Service within the Digital Social Science Center (DSSC) is for users doing quantitative work and needing assistance with either GIS or statistical software.
dssc.data@columbia.edu
212-854-6012
Data Service in the DSSC
Location & Access
- Located in Lehman Library room IAB215 directly down the stairs from the main DSSC space.
- Open to anyone in the Columbia University community who needs to use our data collection or services
- Our hours are listed on the Data Service Hours page. At other times email dssc.data@columbia.edu.
Data Collections
- Geospatial data, which is suitable for use in GIS mapping software, can come in a variety formats: vector, raster, imagery, or data tables
- Numeric data which is suitable for use in statistical software and covers a wide range of topics: socio-demographic data, public opinion polls, politics, health, economics, and more
- Both collections have national and international geographic coverage
- Data/GIS Resources has links to collection catalogs and finding aids
Services Supporting Data Users
- Identifying numeric and spatial data products either whether in the Libraries' collection or elsewhere
- Capturing or extracting data from their source
- Working with meta-data and data dictionaries that accompany data
- Getting data files into a format suitable for research or analysis
- Help with using statistical or GIS software as per the Consulting
Guidelines for DSSC Support for Data
- Staff are available to help:
- from DSSC's Data Services when it is open (see staff schedule),
- in the DSSC Consulting Office when it is open (DSSC hours)
- by e-mail at dssc.data@columbia.edu,
- by appointment (e-mail dssc.data@columbia.edu to set up a time).
- Assistance for those using the Lehman Map Collection, which is adjacent to the DSSC's Data Service (215 IAB).
Data Service Facilities
- Workstations in the DSSC Data Service (IAB215) are dedicated for use by those doing quantitative work.
- The exception is for scanning that can be done at one station.
- A small reference collection that includes statistical software manuals
and books on GIS and key data products - Selected tract reports from the Decennial Census of Population for New and York City for years 1940, 1960, 1970 1980, and 1990.