Analyzing Data
Sheridan Library provides a collection of resources to help researchers using a variety of data analysis software. Get started by selecting the software you are interested in. If you are looking for more assistance, you may send us your questions via email at dataconnection@sheridancollege.ca
Software Tools/Platforms
|
Software |
Category |
Personal Access |
Windows |
Mac |
Web-based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPSS | Statistical | Available via Sheridan AppsAnywhere | YES | YES | NO |
| SAS | Statistical | Free download for SAS university edition. Installation instructions are available here. | YES | YES | NO |
| Nvivo | Statistical | Email dataconnection@sheridancollege.ca for more details. Currently unavailable until further notice. | YES | YES | NO |
| ArcGIS | GIS | Email dataconnection@sheridancollege.ca for more details. Currently unavailable until further notice. | YES | YES | NO |
| SimplyAnalytics | GIS; Data Visualization | Available via Sheridan library | YES | YES | YES |
| MATLAB | Statistical | Available via Sheridan AppsAnywhere | YES | YES | NO |
| Tableau Desktop | Data Visualization | Tableau offers one-year free license for students at accredited academic institutions. Instructor also can apply for one-year license and more details can be found here | YES | YES | NO |
|
Software |
Category |
Access |
Windows |
Mac |
Web-based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSPP | Statistical | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| Tableau Public | Data Visualization | Free online access (Account sign-up is required) | YES | YES | YES |
| Qlik | Data Visualization | Free download for Qlik View Personal Edition (Account sign-up is required) | YES | YES | NO |
| Story Maps | GIS | Free online access (Account sign-up is required) | YES | YES | YES |
| R | Statistical; Data Visualization | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| Python | Statistical; Data Visualization | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| QGIS | GIS | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| Google Earth Pro | GIS | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| Google Fusion Tables | Statistical | Free online access | YES | YES | YES |
| OpenRefine | Data Cleaning | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| PiktoChart | Data Visualization | Free access with limited capabilities (Account sign-up is required) | YES | YES | YES |
| Plotly | Data Visualization | Free access with limited capabilities (Account sign-up is required) | YES | YES | NO |
| Gephi | Data Visualization | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| Leaflet | Data Visualization | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| D3.js | Data Visualization | Free download | YES | YES | NO |
| Data Wrangler | Data Cleaning | Free online access (Account sign-up is required) | YES | YES | YES |
| Palladio | Data Visualization | Free online access | YES | YES | YES |
Specifications
SPSS
SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is a flexible statistical anlaysis program running on Windows and Mac operating systems. The menu-driven interface makes it well suited for beginner users of statistical software programs.
Commonly used in:
- Social sciences
- Health sciences
- Marketing
- Academia
Supported data formats:
- Import Excel files (.xls, .xlsx), Text files (.csv, .txt, .dat), SAS (.sas7bdat), Stata (.dta), etc.
- Export Excel files (.xls, .xlsx), Text files (.csv, .dat), SAS (.sas7bdat), Stata (.dta), etc.
- More information about data file types supported in SPSS can be found here.
Useful links:
Partially adapted from NYU's Data Service LibGuide
SAS
SAS is a comprehensive statistical software package that runs on Windows, Mac and UNIX systems. Although the program is generally well suited to power users, it has a point-and-click interface which makes some features more accessible to new users.
Commonly used in:
- Business
- Manufacturing
- Health and Life Sciences
- Researches with large datasets
Supported data formats:
- Import Excel files (.xls, .xlsx), Text files (.txt, .dat, .csv), SPSS (.sav), Stata (.dta), JMP (.jmp), .xml, etc.
- Export Excel files (.xls, .xlsx), Text files (.txt, .dat, .csv), SPSS (.sav), Stata (.dta), JMP (.jmp), .xml, etc.
- More information about data file types supported in SAS can be found here.
Useful links:
Partially adapted from NYU's Data Service LibGuide
NVivo
NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software program compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems. Users can organize, sort and code qualitative data by importing original sources in pdf, video, audio, and spreadsheets among other formats. Once the qualitative data is entered, NVivo can perform queries and model trends using graphs and other visualisations.
Commonly used in:
- Social Sicences
- Health science
- Marketing
- Researches with rich text-based or multimedia information
Supported data formats:
- Import Text, PDF, survey, audio, video and graphical files, etc.
- Export HTML, image files (.jpg), auto or video files, etc.
- Details on supported import data formats can be found here. Export data formats details can be found here.
Useful links:
MATLAB
MATLAB is software for mathematical computation, analysis, visualization, and algorithm development. MATLAB features a family of application-specific solutions called toolboxes.
Commonly used in:
- Engineering
- Economics
- Science
- Academia
Supported data formats:
- Import and export Excel files (.xls, .xlsx), text files, image files, audio and video files, XML, etc.
- Supported file formats for import and export can be found here.
Useful links:
ArcGIS
ArcGIS Desktop allows you to analyze your data and author geographic knowledge to examine relationships, test predictions, and ultimately make better decisions.
Commonly used in:
- GIS & IT professionals
- Application developers
- Public and Community Studies
- Public Sector and Government agencies
- Education
- Applied Science and Technology
- Social Sciences
Supported data formats:
- Import Shapefile; Raster file; Text file; Excel file; Geodatabases, CAD data, dBase, etc.
- Export to several Industry-standard file formats: EMF, EPS, PDF, SVG, SVGZ, BMP, JPG, PNG, TIFF, TGA, GIF, etc.
- List of data formats supported in ArcGIS can be found Here.
Useful links:
Tableau Public
Tableau Public is a free version of an interactive data visualization tool. Tableau can help you design interactive dashboard/visualizations from complex data sets and share them online.
Supported data formats:
- Import Excel files, text files (.csv, .txt, .tsv, etc) etc.
- Export views to PowerPoint file, Word, Excel, Image (.bmp), PDF file etc
- Export data to text files (.csv), extract file (.hyper), tableau data source (.tds) etc.
- More details for connecting your data can be found here. More details for export can be found here.
Useful links:
SimplyAnalytics
SimplyAnalytics (formerly SimplyMap) is a web-based mapping application that lets users quickly create professional-quality thematic maps and reports using powerful demographic, business, and marketing data.
Commonly used in
- Community health
- Political Science
- Economics
- Aboriginal and women studies
- Education
- Social Work
- Geography
Data format supported
- Image files (.png, .jpg, .svg, .pdf.); Excel files (.xls, .xlsx), Text files (.csv, .txt, .dat), .dbf, etc.
Useful links:
