Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of the dataCoLAB program?
Our goal is to connect the research community across disciplinary borders, and facilitate collaborations between data producers and data scientists. By matching researchers who need help with their datasets with individuals who have data science and computer science skills, we provide an opportunity for people with different technical skills and disciplinary backgrounds to work together. The ultimate goal of our program is to help build a strong community and a healthy data ecosystem.
Who can participate?
Participation is open to anyone from the CMU or Pittsburgh community who:
- Needs help analyzing, organizing, or visualizing an existing dataset
- Wants to mine existing data for new discoveries
- Is looking to work on interesting real-world data problems
- Is interested in obtaining data consulting experience
- Wants to find new collaborations
Information professionals from the University Libraries will also participate to provide support on research data management, project documentation, and other research methodologies.
What’s in it for me as someone with data to analyze?
You will have an opportunity to work with a data consultant to analyze your data together, to create a data analysis workflow, or to make your data analysis process more efficient, reproducible, and statistically sound. You will also have an opportunity to find new applications and collaborations for your existing data. Learn More.
What’s in it for me as someone with data analysis skills?
Get experience (and material for your CV and portfolio!) exploring diverse datasets and providing data analysis consultations. You may have the opportunity to continue to collaborate on data projects that you consult on. Working as a consultant will get your profile placed on the dataCoLAB website, and completing your commitment to the dataCoLAB project earns a certificate to recognize your contribution. Learn More.
What’s expected of me as a collaboration participant?
- Consultants and dataset providers will meet at the beginning and end of the project (two meetings in total) with dataCoLAB information specialists.
- Participants will complete dataCoLAB project initiation and completion forms.
- Consultants and dataset providers will independently arrange additional meetings for the project, and follow through on their collaboration.
- Participants will keep clear project documentation in electronic forms (for example, in Open Science Framework, Jupyter Notebook, Google Doc, or GitHub), supported by DataCoLAB information specialists.
How do I get started?
Please visit the Sign Up page and select the best option to indicate your interest!
Providing detailed and precise information in the Sign Up form will help speed up the process! Click for guidance on how to write a great project profile. If the dataCoLAB team needs more information to best match you, we’ll reach out and arrange a time to chat. Once you are matched with a collaborator, you’ll attend a project initiation meeting with a dataCoLAB information specialist. At this meeting you’ll get to know your consultant, learn more about best practices and tools for collaboration and project documentation, and make a plan for working together.
How can I learn more or ask questions?
Email dataCoLAB@andrew.cmu.edu or join us during Consulting Hours, held weekly!