Services + tools
Discovering data
The Library can help you discover and access the data you need for research, teaching, and learning.
Services
We provide one-on-one and small group consultations to help identify and access the data you need. Please contact librarydataservices@berkeley.edu to get started.
Tools and resources
- Data at UC Berkeley: datasets and data-centric databases licensed for use at UC Berkeley
- Text and data mining at UC Berkeley: guidance for the identification, mining, and analysis of large amounts of text and data
- Data acquisition request form: If you are interested in asking the library to purchase data for research, fill out the purchase request form.
Managing data
The Library Data Services Program helps individuals and research groups write informal data management plans designed for day-to-day organization and guide researchers as they write funder mandated data management plans (DMPs) as part of the grant application process.
Services
We provide consultations and teach workshops to help researchers and faculty identify data management practices and assist with writing data management plans. Please contact librarydataservices@berkeley.edu to get started.
Tools and resources
- DMPTool: templates with step-by-step instructions and guidance to meet specific data management requirements from the major federal and private funding agencies. Available for free through the Library Data Services Program.
- Research Data Management (RDM) Program: UC Berkeley's RDM Program is a collaborative campus-wide program led jointly by Research IT and the Library to help faculty, staff, and students manage research data throughout the research process.
- Research Data Portal: Visit the Research Data Portal for more information on campus infrastructure, data tools, and additional services.
Collecting data
The Library can provide advice and basic support for data collection platforms and tools.
Services
We provide consultations to help researchers and faculty get started with data collection tools. Please contact librarydataservices@berkeley.edu.
Tools and resources
- REDCap: a secure web application for building and managing online surveys and databases
- Qualtrics: a powerful, full-featured web-based platform for creating, sharing, and conducting online surveys. UC Berkeley provides access to all basic features of the software to students, faculty, and staff.
- Google Forms: basic survey and data analysis tool available in the bConnected suite
GIS data
The Library connects learners and researchers with spatial data, tools, and methods at all levels of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) use.
Services
We provide introductory workshops, instruction integrated with courses that feature a spatial component, consultations, and support for GIS community-building. Need additional help? Ask a science librarian!
Tools and resources
- GIS software (installed on all library workstations)
- Two dedicated GIS workstations available at the Earth Sciences & Map Library
- Guide to GIS data
- GeoData@UC Berkeley
- For more information about events and the GIS & Mapping Community of Practice meetup, please join the listserv.
Text data mining
The Library provides guidance for the identification, extraction, and analysis of large amounts of text and data.
Services
The Library can help navigate complex licensing agreements and terms of use to help you better understand what you can and cannot do with TDM. For more information, please visit the Office of Scholarly Communication Services.
Tools and resources
TDM platforms can be utilized for data searching. Using the TDM platforms can assist users who would like to work with data online to satisfy any data requirements.
- TDM Studio (ProQuest)
- Digital Scholar Lab (Gale)
- Nexis Data Lab (LexisNexis)
- HathiTrust Data Capsules
For a list of TDM resources and tools, please see the TDM guide.
Publishing data
The Library assists with publishing, sharing, preserving, and archiving research data for future discovery and reuse. The Office of Scholarly Communication Services can assist with license selection.
Services
We provide one-on-one and small group consultations to help identify the best process and repository for publishing data. Please contact librarydataservices@berkeley.edu to get started.
Tools and resources
- Dryad: data repository for UC Berkeley researchers to publish and archive their data. Free through the Library Data Services Program
- Zenodo: open source code and data repository that is free for up to 50 GB of code or data
- Registry of Research Data Repositories: free tool that can assist with identifying the right repository for research data
- LaTeX with Overleaf: Engineering and Physical Sciences librarians provide workshops and one-on-one consultations to help with LaTeX. The Overleaf platform is free for UC Berkeley users through the Library.
- EZID: a tool free for UC Berkeley researchers to generate and manage long-term identifiers for digital content
Digital scholarship
The Library can answer questions about computational and digital methods. We also offer expertise and guidance in the application of digital tools and methodologies to humanistic inquiry in the Digital Humanities.
Services
We provide one-on-one and small group consultations. Please contact librarydataservices@berkeley.edu to get started.
Tools and resources
- Digital Humanities Working Group (DHWG): a research community of graduate students, faculty, and staff from all disciplinary backgrounds founded to facilitate interdisciplinary conversations in the digital humanities and cultural analytics. Join the listserv to receive updates.
- Digital Humanities Fair: The DH Fair is an annual event that offers the UC Berkeley community the opportunity to share projects at various stages of development, receive invaluable feedback from peers, and reflect on the field more broadly.
Open Science
Open Science at UC Berkeley is a community-driven effort that guides researchers to adopt tools and practices that make workflows openly available and reproducible.
Services
We provide one-on-one and small group consultations to help identify and adopt Open Science practices and tools. Please contact the Open Science librarian, Samantha Teplitzky, to get started.
Tools and resources
- Protocols.io: a secure platform and repository for sharing and publishing reproducible protocols and methods. Free for UC Berkeley users.
- Zenodo: open source code and data repository that is free for up to 50 GB of code or data.
- Open Science at Berkeley: a guide on open science workflows and information about monthly meetings for the Bay Area Open Science Group (hosted by UC Berkeley, UCSF, and Stanford).
RDM Program
The Research Data Management (RDM) Program empowers UCB researchers and the campus research community to securely and efficiently manage research data. We provide expert consultation throughout the research process and engage with campus researchers to understand research workflows and advise on handling research data, with an emphasis on connecting to campus supported research infrastructure. We are a partnership between UC Berkeley Library and Research IT to support the lifecycle of research data on campus. Please contact researchdata@berkeley.edu.