Research Data Consultations
Staff at the CSC’s Research Data Hub are here to help you wrangle your research data. Get support with data cleaning, modelling, statistical analyses, and data visualization. Specializing in R and Python, we offer one-on-one consultations to address research data related questions throughout the research life cycle.
***Research Data Consultations are available for the summer May 12 – August 22, 2025***
What to Expect During Your Research Data Consultation
What Should I Bring to a Consultation?
Looking for help with our booking system? Find QReserve information here.
Researchers may choose to contact csc.ok@ubc.ca as an alternative to booking via QReserve.
Consultations through the CSC’s Research Data Hub are open to researchers in all disciplines, co-funded by a partnership between the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science Department of Biology and the CSC. Historically, the Research Data Hub has been co-funded by Research Computing on the Okanagan campus and the Excellence Fund.
When to Book an Appointment
There are three times we suggest you book an appointment.
Plan
This is the best time to book an appointment; the questions you can ask and the analyses you can perform are contingent on the data you plan to collect and the collection methods you use. Make sure the questions you plan to address and the analyses you intend to conduct align with your data collection plan. Connect with a data consultant.
Collect
Whether “in the field” for you means conducting a survey, gathering previously collected data, or counting observations in a literal field, things often diverge from the original plan. This doesn’t mean all is lost. Find out if there’s a way to address unanticipated changes to your data collection protocol that still allow you to address your research question. Talk with a data consultant.
Analyze
Struggling to clean, organize, or re-structure your data? Or maybe you need a helping hand interpreting or visualizing results? Our data consultants can help with that.
Academic and scholarly integrity
The Research Data Hub provides peer consultation on a variety of research data related topics, including scripting in R and Python, statistical model selection and application, and interpretation of model outputs. These consultations are often detailed and may involve consultants making meaningful contributions to your work, including while assisting with script development. In such situations, you are obligated to recognize these contributions appropriately.
Different disciplines and supervisors have different expectations around what constitutes an acceptable level of support in these areas. Please ensure that your supervisor and / or co-authors, as appropriate, are aware of the scope of supports you are seeking.
You are responsible for ensuring that you have the authority (by copyright or licence as well as by data collection agreement(s)) to conduct your proposed analyses, store your data on your selected devices or platforms, and to share your data with a consultant as needed.
Additional resources
The Research Data Hub’s consultation service sits on a continuum of learning opportunities offered through the Hub. Our service model currently includes:
- One-on-one consultations
- Workshops and accompanying materials: learn foundational skills in R, Python, and statistics
- A blog: explore common questions encountered during consultations
- CSC drop-ins: meet members of your research support units or ask a quick question
Drop-in for a Chat
The CSC hosts weekly drop-ins in LIB 111. Bring your questions and we’ll do our best to connect you with the best person to help.
Drop-ins will resume again starting October 1, 2024.
Links and contacts
Need help with Research Data Management plans or data deposit? Email csc.ok@ubc.ca
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page or contact csc.ok@ubc.ca