Tools & Datasets

Tools

R + RStudio

R is the statistical programming language we will use in this class. We will interface with R using RStudio, a fully feautred IDE. Installing them on your own computer should be straightforward. If you already have them installed on your computer, I recommend you check the version and upgrade them to the latest version. Ask me for help if you have any problem installing them.

• Download and install R 3.4.3 from https://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/cran/ for your operating system. (Requires administrator privellege)
• Download and install RStudio Desktop free version from https://www.rstudio.com/products/rstudio/download/

DataCamp

DataCamp is an online service with dozens of self-paced, interactive courses on using R and Python for data analysis. Students in this course have free premium access to DataCamp courses, which are a good resource to learn R along with data analysis skills.

Slack

Slack is the communication platform we'll use for this course. You should have received an email with an invitation link to join the course Slack. All content related course communication will happen on Slack, in the relevant channels. For personal matters (only) you can email me.

Datasets

Recommended datasets for class assignments and project:

1. American Housing Survey (AHS)

   AHS is a comprehensive housing survey in the U.S., provides up-to-date information on the size and composition of the housing stock. Download the data following this link

2. American Community Survey (ACS)

   ACS is an ongoing survey by the U.S. Census Bureau that regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census, such as ancestry, educational attainment, income, language proficiency, migration, disability, employment, and housing characteristics. Public Use Microdata Series can be downloaded here

3. National Household Travel Survey (NHTS)

   NHTS provides information to assist transportation planners and policy makers who need comprehensive data on travel and transportation patterns in the United States. 2009 NHTS data can be downloaded here

4. General Social Survey (GSS)

   GSS provides politicians, policymakers, and scholars with a clear and unbiased perspective on what Americans think and feel about such issues as national spending priorities, crime and punishment, intergroup relations, and confidence in institutions. The 2016 GSS data can be downloaded here

5. California Health Interview Survey (CHIS)

   The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) is the largest state health survey in the nation. It is a random-dial telephone survey that asks questions on a wide range of health topics. The latest 2015 public use file can be downloaded after registration here or use the direct link to the data file