McMaster’s DASH team to the rescue for data analysis and software help

Searching for help on R? Seeking a primer on LaTeX? Looking for advice on programming with Python?

The team at the Data Analysis Support Hub, known around campus as DASH, is here to save the day.

Based in the Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship at Mills Memorial Library, DASH staff assist with data analysis and software applications such as Excel, SPSS, or other statistical software.

DASH services, resources and workshops are available to McMaster students, staff or faculty members from any discipline. Of course, all of this comes free of charge.

“DASH is really designed to help with questions around data analytics, software programming,” said Christine Homuth, spatial information specialist and DASH team member. “We’re also here to help with methodological questions, such as what statistical tests to run for research, as well as troubleshooting with those analyses and tests.”

Those looking for one-on-one support with their projects or assignments are in luck, as consultations are available.

One of the friendly DASH experts available to help is Humayun Kabir, a master’s student in health research methodology at McMaster. His areas of expertise are in-depth epidemiological research, statistical modelling, managing large databases, and analyzing data using software such as R, Stata, and SPSS. He says he especially enjoys working with students and researchers on diverse statistical issues and appreciates the positive feedback he receives in return.

“The feedback I receive from undergraduates, graduates, postdocs, and faculty members has been consistently positive,” said Kabir. “They value the services we provide and often express their appreciation. Many of them have even recommended DASH to their colleagues.”

Seyed Amirreza Mousavi, a master’s student in electrical and computer engineering at McMaster, is another DASH expert available for consultations. His specialization is machine learning and his programming skills encompass Python Machine Learning frameworks, MATLAB, and R. He says he finds it meaningful to help users unlock valuable insights through the power of data analysis and visualization.

“Booking a consultation can be immensely beneficial, especially for graduate students navigating software programming or data analytics,” said Mousavi. “I can provide tailored guidance, troubleshoot challenges, and offer valuable insights to enhance their skills, ensuring a more efficient and productive learning experience.”

The DASH team also hosts free virtual workshops throughout the year for McMaster students, staff and faculty, as well as members of the general public. Among the areas of focus are Python, QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, R, and LaTeX. Workshops are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advance levels.

“We receive a lot of positive feedback to our workshops and one-on-one consultation sessions,” said Homuth. “Graduate students appreciate the consultation service, in particular, tell us it really made a difference in their work.”

Connect with the DASH team

Learn more about DASH and book a consultation with one of their data experts on the DASH webpage or email the DASH team.

Attend a DASH workshop

Register for upcoming workshops on the DASH library calendar webpage.