MIT Libraries News

Check out all of the MIT Libraries IAP events for the week covering Monday, January 11 through Friday, January 15. Also check out the complete listing for all of our sessions.

Rotch Library Film Series

Power Up!: Strategies for Getting Energy Information

Power Up with Maps! GIS and Energy Resources

Bioinformatics Software Tool: BIOBASE

Managing Your References: Overview of EndNote, RefWorks and Zotero

Managing Research Data 101

Course Reserves Overview

Publishing Smart: A Hands-on Workshop on Journal Quality Measures and Publisher Copyright Policies

Basics of Obtaining a Patent

Bioinformatics for Beginners

Protocols and Methods: Recipes for Successful Research

Bookbinding in the Japanese Tradition

Using Wikipedia to Create Meaningful Learning Experiences

EndNote Basics

Power-up!: Energy Industry Resources

BrainNavigator Demo: Interactive Atlas & 3D Brain Imaging Software

Writing and Formatting Your Thesis: Don’t Let WORD Get You Down

Making Your Own Videos for the Web & MIT TechTV

Finding Research Datasets: ICPSR and the Harvard-MIT Data Center

Tips & Techniques for Searching for Images Online

Keeping Current: Using RSS Feeds to Stay Ahead in Your Research

NOTE: Some sessions have limited availability or may require advance sign-up requirements. If you have further questions, please see individual listings for appropriate contact information.

Looking to gain skills in working with statistical analysis software packages?  The following classes will be taught by the Harvard-MIT Data Center (HMDC) Statistical Consultant during IAP.  Note: there will be time at the end of each session for individual assistance, so feel free to bring your research questions.

WHERE: All statistical software workshops held in 1-115.

SPACE IS LIMITED. TO REGISTER, CONTACT Katherine McNeill.

Introduction to Stata

Get an introduction to Stata, the statistical analysis software package commonly used at MIT. With hands-on exercises, learn how to import and analyze datasets. Novices welcome!

WHEN: Wednesday, January 20th, 10am-1pm

Data Management in Stata

Learn techniques for data management using Stata. Perform hands-on exercises and learn how to create cross-sectional, time-series, and panel datasets from several data files.  Topics include importing data into Stata, labeling data and variables, converting data from string to numeric format, appending and merging datasets, and collapsing and reshaping a dataset. Prerequisite: a general familiarity with Stata (such as taking the Intro. workshop).

WHEN: Friday, January 22nd, 10am-1pm

Introduction to R

Get an introduction to R, the open-source system for statistical computation and graphics available on Athena. With hands-on exercises, learn how to import and manage datasets, create R objects, and generate figures. Novices welcome!

WHEN: Monday, January 25th, 10am-1pm

Regression Using Stata

This hands-on class will provide a comprehensive introduction to estimating the linear regression model using ordinary least squares in Stata. Topics for the class include multiple regression, dummy variables, interaction effects, hypothesis tests, and model diagnostics. Prerequisites include a general familiarity with Stata (such as taking the Intro. workshop), the linear regression model, and the ordinary least squares estimation.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 27th, 10am-1pm

Introduction to SAS

Get an introduction to SAS, a powerful statistical software package available on Athena. With hands-on exercises, explore SAS’s many features and learn how to import, manage, and analyze data. Novices welcome!

WHEN: Thurssday, January 28th, 10am-1pm

Graphics in Stata

This hands-on class will provide a comprehensive introduction to graphics in Stata. Topics for the class include graphing principles, descriptive graphs, and post-estimation graphs. Prerequisite: a general familiarity with Stata (such as taking the Intro. workshop).

WHEN: Friday, January 29th, 10am-1pm

Can’t make these times? Attend these workshops at Harvard or view the slides on your own.

Check out other Social Science Data Services IAP sessions as well as the MIT Libraries’ full schedule of IAP sessions.

Need data to answer a research question? Interested in analyzing raw datasets with micro-level records about individual respondents?

This hands-on workshop will familiarize you with the resources of the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) and the Harvard-MIT Data Center, which provide access to datasets in the social sciences and related fields. Topics will include the structure of data files, finding and downloading datasets, and understanding data documentation.

NOTE: Advance sign-up is required. Registration due by January 11. This session is limited to 20 participants.

WHEN: Thursday, January 14, 1 – 2:30pm

WHERE: DIRC, 14N-132

Contact Kate McNeill with any questions and/or to register.

Check out other Social Science Data Services IAP sessions as well as the MIT Libraries’ full schedule of IAP sessions.

The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the world’s largest archive of digital social science data, now is accepting applications for its annual summer internship program and 2010 research paper competition.

ICPSR Undergraduate Summer Internship Program

ICPSR is accepting applications for its annual summer internship program for undergraduates which will take place from June 7-August 13, 2010.

• Gain experience using statistical programs such as Stata, SAS, and SPSS.
• Learn data processing skills to prepare social science data for archiving and distribution.
• Deadline for application: February 8, 2010.
• Stipend given.

For more information, see ICPSR’s page on the program or contact Katherine McNeill, Data Services and Economics Librarian, at mcneillh@mit.edu

ICPSR Research Paper Competitions

ICPSR is sponsoring three competitions to highlight the best student research papers (undergraduate and master’s) using quantitative data.  The objective is to encourage students to explore the social sciences by means of critical analysis of a topic supported by quantitative analysis of a dataset(s) held within the ICPSR archive and presented in written form.

• Two competitions covers any dataset(s) held within the ICPSR archive and are eligible to undergraduate and master’s students, respectively. The third competition solicits undergraduate papers addressing issues relevant to minorities in the United States, including immigrants, that utilize data from the Resource Center for Minority Data.
• Up to three cash prizes will be awarded for each competition.  The winner will receive a monetary award of $1,000 (second place receives $750 and third place $500).
• Deadline for submission is January 31, 2010.

For details, see ICPSR’s page on the competition or contact Katherine McNeill, Data Services and Economics Librarian, at mcneillh@mit.edu.

Are you wondering what an RSS feed is and how it can help your research?

Want to learn more about using GIS, EndNote or RefWorks?

Need to find chemical information, social science data, or patents?

Want to kick back and enjoy a film festival, improve your bioinformatics search skills, or learn how to make your own videos for the Web?

Look no further! Take a peek at all of the MIT Libraries IAP Activities offered in 2010.

Hayden Library — Humanities & Science — will be open till 2am each night during Finals

from Thursday, Dec. 10 to Friday, Dec. 18th:

8am-2am daily, except Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 12 & 13, 10am-2am.

The extended hours are for the MIT community only.

Harriet Ritvo, MIT’s Arthur J. Conner Professor of History, will discuss her latest book The Dawn of Green: Manchester, Thirlmere, and Modern Environmentalism on Wednesday, December 9th at 4 p.m. in the Institute Archives (14N-118).

In The Dawn of Green, Ritvo reveals how today’s environmental movement can be traced to Thirlmere, a bucolic reservoir in the English Lake District, and the 19th century battle around it that pitted industrial progress against conservation.

Ritvo is also the author of The Platypus and the Mermaid, and Other Figments of Classifying Imagination and The Animal Estate: The English and Other Creatures in the Victorian Age.

During her talk she will show materials used in her research and sign copies of her book.  This event is sponsored by the MIT Libraries’ Institute Archives & Special Collections, and the MIT History Faculty.  It is free and open to the public.

Members of the MIT Community are encouraged to schedule the room (14E-311) for groups of three or more at Hayden’s service desk on the 1^st floor or call 253-5671 to make a reservation. Features include a large blackboard and a wall-mounted flat-screen monitor for presentations.

14E-311 was formerly the Women’s Studies Research Room.  That collection has been moved into the Hayden stacks, including the new Women in Science, Technology & Medicine Collection in the center section of the Humanities Library, 2^nd floor reading room.

Looking to gain skills in working with statistical analysis software packages?  The following classes will be taught by the Harvard-MIT Data Center (HMDC) Statistical Consultant and start next week!  Note: there will be time at the end of each session for individual assistance, so feel free to bring your research questions.

1. Introduction to Stata
Get an introduction to Stata, the statistical analysis software package commonly used at MIT. With hands-on exercises, learn how to import and manage datasets. Novices welcome!

When: Friday, October 23rd, 2-5pm

2. Data Management in Stata
Learn techniques for data management using Stata. Perform hands-on exercises and learn how to create cross-sectional, time-series, and panel datasets from several data files.  Topics include importing data into Stata, labeling data and variables, converting data from string to numeric format, appending and merging datasets, and collapsing and reshaping a dataset.  Prerequisite: a general familiarity with Stata (such as taking the Intro. workshop).

When: Friday, November 6th, 3-5pm

3. Introduction to Regression Using Stata
This hands-on class will provide a comprehensive introduction to estimating the linear regression model using ordinary least squares in Stata. Topics for the class include multiple regression, dummy variables, interaction effects, hypothesis tests, and model diagnostics. Prerequisites include a general familiarity with Stata (such as taking the Intro. workshop), the linear regression model, and the ordinary least squares estimation.

When: Friday, November 13th, 3-5pm

4. Introduction to R
Get an introduction to R, the open-source system for statistical computation and graphics available on Athena. With hands-on exercises, learn how to import and manage datasets, create R objects, and generate figures. Novices welcome!

When: Friday, December 11th, 1-4pm

Where: All workshops held in the Sloan Trading Room in the basement of E52: E52-010.

Space is limited. To register, contact: Katherine McNeill, mcneillh@mit.edu.

Can’t make these times? Attend these workshops at Harvard or view the slides on your own.

Brought to you by Social Science Data Services: http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/data/

Learn about ICPSR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research), the world’s largest archive of research data for the social sciences.  Next week (Oct 5-9, 2009), ICPSR will be broadcasting live free webinars to help you understand and utilize its many data resources.  Topics covered include:

• Data on minority populations
• Graphing quantitative data & Web 2.0 tools for visualization
• Protecting respondent confidentiality
• American Community Survey
• American National Election Survey
• Harmonized data sets
• Documentation of research data
• Quantitative literacy/Using data in teaching
• Online analysis of data
• And more!

Visit http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/or/ormeet/program/index.jsp to review the abstracts and slides and to register to attend the webinars.  Note: while these are presented in the context of the meeting of ICPSR Official Representatives, the webinars are free and open to the public; all members of the MIT community are encouraged to register and attend.

Can’t make the live webinars?  View them anytime at: http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/or/ormeet/program/index.jsp.

For more information about ICPSR, contact MIT’s Official Representative, Katherine McNeill, at mcneillh@mit.edu.

The MIT Faculty established a new policy on March 18, 2009 that makes their scholarly articles openly available on the web.   The Libraries have been working with the Faculty Committee on the Library System to make this process as convenient as possible for the faculty, as called for in the policy.

One key effort has been to work with publishers to ensure that MIT papers will be handled smoothly under the policy, and we are pleased to announce that the American Economic Association (AEA) has confirmed its cooperation.  MIT authors do not need to prepare an amendment to the AEA publication agreement or take any other special action in order to publish with the AEA under the MIT policy.

We anticipate that this will be the first in a series of announcements about publishers cooperating with the MIT Faculty Open Access Policy.   To track publisher responses, we are offering a new web page.  More publishers will be added to the page as information becomes available, and questions about  publishers not yet on the page may be sent to copyright-lib@mit.edu.

To submit a paper under the policy, please send the final submitted manuscript, post peer-review, but prior to publisher’s formatting,  as an email attachment to oapolicysubmissions@mit.edu.

For more information:

MIT Faculty Open Access Policy

Publisher Policies

Renovations in Barker and Dewey Libraries have created great new spaces to study!  The MIT Community is invited to Open House events at each library.  Please come visit and celebrate with us!

Barker Library Open House
Where: Barker Engineering Library (10-500)
Reading Room (under the Dome)
When: Wednesday, September 16, 4-6pm
Remarks at 4:30pm, Refreshments served

The old “journal racks” in the Barker Reading Room have been removed to open up the space and give way to a more flexible design.  New area rugs, fresh paint, refinished furniture and improved lighting make this iconic space more inviting for quiet study.

Dewey Library Open House
Where: Dewey Library (E53-100), First Floor
When: Thursday, September 17, 4-6pm
Remarks at 4:30pm, Refreshments served

The new, improved Dewey Library offers a secure 24-7 study space, an area designated for quiet study, and numerous power-enabled study carrels. There are 12 brand-new group study rooms, each with LCD screen and white board, which can be reserved online. The brighter, more open space also features many ecologically-friendly touches, such as cork floor tiles and energy-efficient lighting.

The renovation of Dewey Library has created many new group study rooms which now can be reserved using an electronic room reservation system. The rooms are:

• E53-208 & 218 (large group rooms) : capacity 12 people in each room
• E53-201 & 223 (medium group rooms) : capacity 10 people
• E53-231, 237, 238, 296, and 298 (small group rooms) : capacity 2-6 people

WHERE: 14N-132 (Digital Instruction Resource Center – DIRC)

WHEN: Friday, July 10, 12pm – 1pm

Endnote is a “personal bibliographic software” package which allows you to create and manage a database of bibliographic references. Learn how to find and use information more effectively in our hands-on workshops.

Contact Peter Cohn with any questions.

Full schedule of JulyAP 2009 workshops

Learn how to find and use information more effectively in these hands-on workshops. No advanced registration required. Light refreshments will be served at each session.

All workshops will take place in the Digital Instruction Resource Center (DIRC), 14N-132.

GeneGo Training
Wednesday, July 8, 9am – 12pm
Learn how to use this gene expression tool licensed by MIT Libraries. Bring data!
Contact: Courtney Crummett

Bioinformatics for Beginners
Thursday, July 9, 1pm – 2pm
Learn about the organization of key NCBI databases, understand the database record structure, and work with the BLAST search tool.
Contact: Howard Silver

EndNote Basics
Friday, July 10, 12pm – 1pm
Endnote is a “personal bibliographic software” package which allows you to create and manage a database of bibliographic references. Learn how to find and use information more effectively in our hands-on workshops.
Contact: Peter Cohn

OAG as a Travel Planner Tool
Monday, July 13, 12pm – 1pm
OAG Travel Planner Pro is the premier customizable online tool for business and professional travelers who need to make and manage complex travel plans.
Contact: Barbara Williams

RefWorks Basics
Friday, July 17, 12pm – 1pm
RefWorks is a web-based resource designed to help you organize references and create a bibliography. RefWorks allows you to search, retrieve relevant citations, easily cite references as you write your paper, and build your bibliography. It allows users to create individual or group accounts.
Contact: Anita Perkins

Accessing the Aero/Astro Collection
Monday, July 6 and Monday, July 20, 12pm – 1pm
Find out where Aero/Astro materials are now located. This session will highlight the various Aero/Astro collections and how to access them.
This session is limited to 25 participants. To register, contact Barbara Williams.

Sequence Alignment
Wednesday, July 22, 10am – 12pm
Explore sequence alignment algorithms and their practical applications. Session will include a hands-on algorithm exercise and practical usage information (Clustal, BLAST, BLAT, Maq).
Contact: Charlie Whittaker

DSpace@MIT for Research Collections
Friday, July 24 and Monday, July 27, 12pm – 1pm
DSpace@MIT archives and makes globally discoverable the research output of MIT faculty, researchers, and students. The session will highlight MIT Libraries’ initiatives for easy upload of complete technical report and working papers series’ and will demonstrate how individuals and research groups can establish and begin populating new collections of research materials.
Contact: Craig Thomas

BLAST
Wednesday, July 29, 11am – 12pm
Learn how to use NCBI resources and optimize your BLAST protein searches to get the most out of your results. Attendance at Bioinformatics for Beginners and familiarity with BLAST are recommended.
Contact: Amy Stout

Data Management 101
Friday, July 31, 12pm – 1pm
For researchers struggling to manage their data, basic strategies will be provided for best practices for retention and archiving, effective directory structures and naming conventions, good file formats for long-term access, data security and backup options, metadata, tagging, and citation and other relevant issues.
Contact: Anne Graham

Sponsored by the MIT Libraries.

The second phase of Dewey’s renovation has completely transformed the lower level! Come stroll down the new staircase to study at one of the 30+ new carrels. Dual outlets at each carrel, abundant lighting, and adjustable seating make it prime study space. Check it out!

Tell us what you think either via email or by filling out a comment card at the library.

The final phase of the project, to renovate Dewey’s 1st floor, will begin in June and is scheduled for completion by September. Dewey will continue to be open for business as usual throughout the project.

See the ReDew site for more information.

Hayden Library — Humanities & Science — will stay open 24 hours a day during Finals

from Thursday May 14th at 8am to Friday, May 22nd at 7pm.

Overnight hours are for the MIT community only.

Please join authors@mit and the Humanities Library as Nicholas Ashford speaks on his book Environmental Law, Policy and Economics:  Reclaiming the Environmental Agenda.  Professor Ashford will show how environmental law cases have led to important legal, economic, and scientific developments, and how use of the law can stimulate technological change and industrial transformation.

“Ashford and Caldart have produced an extraordinary book sweeping across the scientific complexity, legal underpinnings, economic logic, and policy challenges of environmental protection…this book offers an indispensable foundation for those seeking to understand society¹s approach to environmental challenges.”

—Daniel C. Esty, Yale Law School

“Environmental Law, Policy, and Economics” is published by the MIT Press.

Nicholas Ashford is Professor of Technology and Director of the Technology and Law Program at MIT.

The book is co-authored by Charles C. Caldart, Director of Litigation of the National Environmental Law Center and a Lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT.

Where: MIT E51-145

When: Friday May 15th, 2009, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

The event is free and wheelchair accessible.

For more information, call call 253-5249, or email authors@mit.edu. See the MIT Press Bookstore’s “Events” page for a list of upcoming events.

WHERE: 14N-132 (Digital Instruction Resource Center – DIRC)

WHEN: Friday, May 1, 12 – 1pm

Market research abounds on the web, but usually with a hefty price tag. This session will familiarize participants with market research accessible to MIT students and faculty. We will cover types of resources available, how to navigate them, and some basic tips for using these resources.

Contact: Maggie Bartley

Check out the full listing of IAPril 2009 Libraries events!

Learn how to find and use information more effectively in these hands-on workshops. No advanced registration required. Light refreshments will be served at each session.

WHERE: 14N-132 (Digital Instruction Resource Center – DIRC)

Endnote Basics
Friday, April 3rd, 12 – 1pm

EndNote is a “personal bibliographic software” package which allows you to create and manage a database of bibliographic references.
Contact: Peter Cohn

Researching Companies for the Job Hunt
Thursday, April 9, 3-4:30pm

The MIT Libraries subscribe to a number of databases that you can use to research companies and industries. Using these databases, you can:
-Target companies by industry and geography
-Conduct comprehensive company and industry research
We will discuss why this type of research is critical to the job and internship search process, and how to use these databases effectively.

Contact: Anita Perkins

Bioinformatics for Beginners
Friday, April 10th, 12 – 1pm

Class attendees will learn about the organization of key NCBI databases, understand the database record structure, and work with the BLAST search tool. The session is a hands-on practicum and an excellent starting point for people who are new to, or curious about bioinformatics research tools.
Contact: Howard Silver

Biotechnology Patent Fundamentals and Searching
Thursday, April 16, 12-1:30pm

Come and hear attorney Sonia Guterman of Lawson & Wetzen discuss the distinctive aspects of patents that make them valuable, the role of patents in capital development, along with issues surrounding filing biotech patents. She will be assisted by Drew Lowery, who received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from MIT and is a member of Global Prior Art’s Life Science Team. Drew will discuss and demonstrate alternative ways to search biotech patent art and their suitability. At the end of the talk attendees will have the opportunity to do hands on searching.

Contact: J. Darcy Duke

Managing Research Data 101
Thursday, April 23, 12-1pm

For researchers struggling to manage their data, basic strategies will be provided for
• best practices for retention and archiving
• effective directory structures and naming conventions
• good file formats for long-term access
• data security and backup options
• metadata, tagging, and citation
• other relevant issues

Contact: MacKenzie Smith

Introduction to Market Research Databases at MIT
Friday, May 1, 12-1pm

Market research abounds on the web, but usually with a hefty price tag. This session will familiarize participants with market research accessible through MIT. We will cover types of resources available, how to navigate them, and some basic tips for using these resources.

Contact: Maggie Bartley

Check out the full listing of IAPril 2009 Libraries events!