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Research Data Management: UWaterloo Workshops

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Research Data Management (RDM) best practices, resources, and services available at the University of Waterloo.

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Data Journeys Workshop Series

Fall 2024

Organizing and Optimizing Your Research Data

Learn what data literacy means at every step of a research project. This workshop, a combination of presentation and question & answer period, will introduce foundational data literacy concepts, including looking at what it means to collect, analyze and evaluate data, as well as sharing and storing data, the less conspicuous aspects of data literacy.  

By the end of this workshop, participants will have: 

  • Foundational understanding of the essential components of data literacy to successfully execute a research project in its entirety  

  • Understanding of how data literacy impacts each stage of a research project 

Data Foundations, A Beginner's Guide to Understanding and Using Data

Learn what data literacy means at every step of a research project. This workshop, a combination of presentation and question & answer period, will introduce foundational data literacy concepts, including looking at what it means to collect, analyze and evaluate data, as well as sharing and storing data, the less conspicuous aspects of data literacy.  

By the end of this workshop, participants will have: 

  • Foundational understanding of the essential components of data literacy to successfully execute a research project in its entirety  

  • Understanding of how data literacy impacts each stage of a research project 

Sustaining Digital Futures, Planning for the End of Your Digital Project

Have you thought about what happens to your project when you’re done? This workshop, a combination of presentation and question & answer period, will cover the stages of planning for the end and long-term sustainability of your project. Questions such as knowing when your project is completed, which parts should be preserved, and how your choice of digital tools can future-proof your project will be discussed.   

By the end of this workshop, participants will have: 

  • A framework to plan for the long-term sustainability of their projects 

Love Data Week at UWaterloo

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Love Data Week

Love Data Week is an annual, international celebration of all things data. Established in 2016, it takes place annually during the week of Valentine's Day.

My Kind of Data (2024)

Whose Data Is It, Anyway? (2025)

From Theory to Respectful Practice: Wampum as a Living Embodiment of Indigenous Data Sovereignty

This workshop will discuss the growing calls in Canada and around the world to recognize and respect Indigenous Data Sovereignty and consider the importance of moving beyond the theoretical implications of this movement using Wampum as an example. We will address: 

  • What is Indigenous Data Sovereignty? 
  • Why are there special considerations for Indigenous Data and Indigenous Knowledges? 
  • What is the role of non-Indigenous researchers in interacting with Indigenous Data and Knowledges? 
  • What are some steps you can take to respect Indigenous Data Sovereignty? 

By the end of this workshop, participants will: 

  • Gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous Data Sovereignty 
  • Learn about respectful practices of interaction with Indigenous Data and Knowledges in a research context 
  • Recognize the significance of Wampum in this territory 
Voices Behind the Screen, Navigating Data Collected from Online Forums

Online forums are rich sources of public data, offering insights into diverse topics and communities. However, this data often comes with anonymity, raising unique challenges and ethical concerns. This panel discussion will explore the complexities of using forum data for research and analysis: What are the benefits of studying anonymous versus non-anonymous online discussions? How do we address issues of privacy, representation and authenticity? Panelists will discuss case studies, policies and best practices for leveraging these digital conversations.

This online panel will combine lightning talks from panelists, prepared questions, and an open Q&A. The Zoom platform allows for live close captioning.

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

  • Identify various aspects of conducting research with data posted in online forums, including technical, data management and ethical aspects.
  • Learn about how different units on university campuses might approach working with this kind of data and how they can work together to navigate challenges. 
  • Please register to receive the online event link and help us understand specific disciplinary considerations. The session will be recorded and made available to registrants after the event.

Workshop recording

Learn to Make Your Own Spotify Wrapped

Did you get a Spotify wrapped at the end of 2024? What kinds of data make that possible? Could you make a better wrapped by analyzing your own data? How about other platforms like Netflix, TikTok and others? In this online workshop, attendees will learn how different platforms and apps collect data about their users, how it can be requested and what you can learn about yourself by analyzing your data.

This Zoom workshop will combine a slide deck presentation and a demonstration working through a Jupyter Notebook to perform various tasks related to working with data from Spotify.

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand the kinds of data being collected about them by various platforms and apps and how to request it
  • Understand the varying degrees of quality in the data obtained (what makes a good data set vs a not-so-good one?) and why it is important to have good data quality and documentation when working in their own research
  • Understand aspects of data literacy using a dataset from Spotify as an example (e.g., obtaining data, analysis and visualization)

Workshop materials & recording: 

Pan-Canadian UWaterloo RDM Community Workshop

Research Data Management Community Workshop 2023

At the end of September 2023, the University of Waterloo hosted a two-day Research Data Management Community Workshop. Joining in were 110 participants from 40 Canadian academic institutions, federal agencies, and research institutes spanning from British Columbia to the Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Newfoundland. Holding roles in the library, research administration, and IT, the participants represented the broad cross section of perspectives involved in RDM support.

Key speakers and panel discussions focused on RDM from a Canadian context and from a researcher’s perspective, including presentations on Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Indigenous RDM, RDM and ethical considerations, and embedding good RDM practices in pan-Canadian research projects. Using the Chatham House Rule to facilitate open, inclusive conversation, participants were also led through a series of open-ended dialogues focused on challenges, working strategies, and best practices at their institutions. The notes from these discussions will inform an upcoming thought paper that will make recommendations about next steps for the research data management community.