About the workshop

This two-day workshop introduces the programming language R.  R is an open-source, widely used, and increasingly popular tool for statistical and data analyses, text mining, geospatial analysis, modelling, and a growing number of other applications. No prior knowledge is required. Students will learn the skills needed to start analyzing their own data.

The topics covered include:

• the R environment (directories, workspace, scripts, and packages),
• simple commands to get you started,
• data structures (vector, matrix, data frames, lists),
• basic data analysis tools (built-in statistical packages, plotting, etc.)

 As time permits, an introduction to functions may also be covered.

About the workshop

Want to make your research and writing more efficient? Hate the last minute rush of trying to create a correctly formatted bibliography? This introductory workshop is for you! We will introduce Zotero, a citation management tool that can help you import, organize, share, and manage your citations and documents, as well as create correctly formatted in-text citations and bibliographies in almost any style—in seconds.

This interactive workshop will cover everything that you need to know to get started with Zotero.

Requirements

In advance of the workshop, please: register for a Zotero account and download and install Zotero 7 and the Zotero Connector. If you have any difficulties doing this, please send an email to citation-managers@sfu.ca so we can help you. Please note that the Zotero Connector works best with Firefox and Chrome. If you choose to use the Zotero Connector with Safari, please be aware that there are a few known compatibility issues at this time which may prove frustrating. Read more about Safari's compatibility with Zotero.

Resources

The slides and handout for this workshop are available here. 

About the workshop

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) rely on spatial data—meaning data with a location element such as coordinates. But did you know that non-spatial data can also be converted into spatial data, or combined with it? Doing so opens up new possibilities for uncovering spatial patterns.

This workshop will introduce you to key concepts and skills that enable you to integrate non-spatial data with spatial data, allowing you to answer questions or present results in a spatial format. Rather than focusing purely on technical aspects, the workshop aims to  you to  what could be done with your data—how it can be enriched by adding a spatial component—and what spatial questions you might ask.

 This workshop will cover:

• What is spatial data?
• Geocoding
• PCCF (Postal Code Conversion File)
• Attribute Join
• Spatial Join 

Requirements

Software

ArcGIS Online. SFU students, staff and faculty are eligible for ArcGIS Online accounts for free of charge. If you don’t already have an existing ArcGIS Online account, you can log into ArcGIS Online with your SFU computing ID. For instructions on how to get access to it, refer to this page: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/find/other-materials/data-gis/gis/software-arc-gis

About the workshop

Maps are great tools for enhancing how you communicate your research to diverse audiences, and when combined with compelling storytelling empowered by web technology, the communication will be even more impactful! ArcGIS StoryMaps is an online storytelling tool that enables you to integrate narratives, maps, and multimedia content to create an immersive storytelling experience. This workshop aims to encourage you to use this tool critically to tell your story or communicate your research. Is this workshop right for you? Try thinking about maps more broadly: they can include old-time maps, static or interactive maps based on GIS (Geographic Information Systems), a Google Map-style highlight of your study area, or even locations from a novel, manuscript, or research that you want to show in a geographic context.

Requirements

Software

ArcGIS StoryMaps (accessible with an ArcGIS Online account). SFU students, staff and faculty are eligible for ArcGIS Online accounts free of charge. If you don’t already have an existing ArcGIS Online account, you can log into ArcGIS Online with your SFU computing ID. For instructions on how to get access to it, refer to this page: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/find/other-materials/data-gis/gis/software-arc-gis

About the workshop

AGOL is a web-based mapping platform that allows you to build maps and apps, conduct spatial analysis, and explore spatial data online. In this workshop, you will learn how to construct a simple web map, explore spatial data (Living Atlas), perform basic spatial analysis and queries, and publish the map to the web. You will also be introduced to the core concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial data.

The workshop is ideal for those:

• Curious about GIS and its applications.
• Interested in visualizing data with a spatial dimension.
• Interested in creating interactive web maps or apps for their audience.
• Looking to explore the diverse features and resources offered by ArcGIS Online.

Learning objectives

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to: 

• Use ArcGIS Online to import data, change basemaps, change symbology, query data, and make a web map and app. 
• Understand some features in the ArcGIS Online ecosystem.

Target audience

No previous knowledge of GIS is required.  

Requirements

Software

SFU students, staff and faculty are eligible for ArcGIS Online accounts for free of charge. If you don’t already have an existing ArcGIS Online account, you can log into ArcGIS Online with your SFU computing ID. For instructions on how to get access to it, refer to this page: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/find/other-materials/data-gis/gis/software-arc-gis

About the workshop

Spatial thinking allows us to ask questions about the spatial patterns and organization of people, places, and environments on Earth:

• What is the travel route of the Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna)? Does it pass close to areas where predators are present, specifically those which prey on eggs?
• Are neighbourhoods with low socioeconomic status spatially correlated to high morbidity rates?
• Or, a more pressing question, what neighbourhoods are COVID-19 hot spots?

Many of these questions ask about the spatial relationship between two or more phenomena. This workshop is an introduction to spatial thinking and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This workshop assumes attendees have no previous experience with GIS. ArcGIS Pro is Esri's newest desktop software, which will eventually replace ArcGIS Desktop (aka ArcMap).

Target Audience

This workshop is designed for those with little or no prior experience with GIS but are interested in getting started with it or learning ArcGIS Pro.  It may also be of interest to those who are already familiar with ArcMap, but are interested in migrating from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• think spatially about their research;
• understand the basic elements of GIS, geospatial data, and spatial analysis;
• use a GIS environment (ArcGIS Pro);
• create simple maps using geospatial data;
• look for and find geospatial data and resources

Core competencies
finding and using spatial data, projections, spatial thinking, map essentials

Resources

• Workshop materials

About the workshop

The complexities of geospatial data, including the variety of data types and sources, can make data management in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) particularly challenging, but investing time in data management can benefit you in the near- and long-term. Good data management practices will help ensure you can find, access, understand, and use your data for as long as necessary, and they facilitate data sharing and data publication at the end of a research project. This presentation will address good data management practices with a focus on GIS data. Topics covered will include:   

• File structure in a GIS environment   
• Storage, back-up and versioning
• Metadata, documentation, and provenance
• Ethical considerations in geospatial data
• Preparing data for deposit 

 Target audience

Anyone with some experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) who wants to learn more about applying good practices in research data management to their own data. 

About the workshop

AGOL is a web-based mapping platform that allows you to build maps and apps, conduct spatial analysis, and explore spatial data online. In this workshop, you will learn how to construct a simple web map, explore spatial data (Living Atlas), perform basic spatial analysis and queries, and publish the map to the web. You will also be introduced to the core concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial data.

The workshop is ideal for those:

• Curious about GIS and its applications.
• Interested in visualizing data with a spatial dimension.
• Interested in creating interactive web maps or apps for their audience.
• Looking to explore the diverse features and resources offered by ArcGIS Online.

Learning objectives

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to: 

• Use ArcGIS Online to import data, change basemaps, change symbology, query data, and make a web map and app. 
• Understand some features in the ArcGIS Online ecosystem.

Target audience

No previous knowledge of GIS is required.  

Requirements

Software

SFU students, staff and faculty are eligible for ArcGIS Online accounts for free of charge. If you don’t already have an existing ArcGIS Online account, you can log into ArcGIS Online with your SFU computing ID. For instructions on how to get access to it, refer to this page: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/find/other-materials/data-gis/gis/software-arc-gis

About the workshop

NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software program, but what does that mean -- and what does it mean for your research? Find out what NVivo is, when to use it, and how to get started.

In this hands-on introductory workshop, you'll take a tour of the NVivo software environment, using sample data. You’ll be introduced to NVivo’s functions and you’ll leave equipped with the basic info you need to begin working with NVivo. Topics introduced may include importing files and beginning coding.

This workshop is suitable for those with little or no experience using NVivo or other qualitative data analysis software.

Requirements

Before the workshop, please have NVivo 14 installed on your device.

Installing NVivo 14: You can download NVivo 14 and access the license key with your SFU computing ID by using the self-serve download link here. If you have any questions, please email us at nvivo-rc@sfu.ca.

About the workshop

NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software program, but what does that mean—and what does it mean for your research? Find out what NVivo is, when to use it, and how to get started.

In this hands-on introductory workshop, you'll take a tour of the NVivo software environment, using sample data. You’ll be introduced to NVivo’s functions and you’ll leave equipped with the basic info you need to begin working with NVivo. Topics introduced may include importing files and beginning coding.

This workshop is suitable for those with little or no experience using NVivo or other qualitative data analysis software.

Requirements

 About the workshop

This hands-on workshop introduces importing and coding of literature review materials and key tools that are helpful when reviewing a selection of literature.

Topics covered include:

• Introducing NVivo and setting up a project
• Working with your information
• Identifying themes, topics, and ideas and collecting data to support them
• Using tools such as text search query, matrix coding query, and Framework Matrix.

Attendees of this workshop will learn how to to set up a literature review in NVivo, organize their content, and begin to identify themes, topics, and ideas. A working knowledge of NVivo is required—please see requirements below. 

 Requirements

• Before the workshop, please download and install NVivo 14 for Mac. You can download NVivo 14 and access the license key with your SFU computing ID by using the self-serve download link here. If you have any questions, please email us at nvivo-rc@sfu.ca.
• Participants need to be familiar with NVivo. If you are new to NVivo, please attend one of the introductory NVivo workshops in the Research Commons or watch one of our workshop recordings before attending this workshop.
• Participants should also have some familiarity with citation management software (Zotero, Mendeley, Refworks, EndNote, etc). Zotero will be used during this workshop.

 About the workshop

This hands-on workshop introduces importing and coding of literature review materials and key tools that are helpful when reviewing a selection of literature.

Topics covered include:

• Introducing NVivo and setting up a project
• Working with your information
• Identifying themes, topics, and ideas and collecting data to support them
• Using tools such as text search query, matrix coding query, and Framework Matrix.

Attendees of this workshop will learn how to to set up a literature review in NVivo, organize their content, and begin to identify themes, topics, and ideas. A working knowledge of NVivo is required—please see requirements below. 

 Requirements

• Before the workshop, please download and install NVivo 14 for Mac. You can download NVivo 14 and access the license key with your SFU computing ID by using the self-serve download link here. If you have any questions, please email us at nvivo-rc@sfu.ca.
• Participants need to be familiar with NVivo. If you are new to NVivo, please attend one of the introductory NVivo workshops in the Research Commons or watch one of our workshop recordings before attending this workshop.
• Participants should also have some familiarity with citation management software (Zotero, Mendeley, Refworks, EndNote, etc). Zotero will be used during this workshop.

About help sessions

Questions about working with NVivo? Not sure where to start with using the software? Get answers and help!

Join us for online office hours hosted by NVivo Graduate Peer Facilitators on Zoom. Drop in with your questions. No experience with NVivo is necessary.

  About the workshop

This two-day workshop introduces the programming language R.  R is an open-source, widely used, and increasingly popular tool for statistical and data analyses, text mining, geospatial analysis, modelling, and a growing number of other applications. No prior knowledge is required. Students will learn the skills needed to start analyzing their own data.

The topics covered include:

• the R environment (directories, workspace, scripts, and packages),
• simple commands to get you started,
• data structures (vector, matrix, data frames, lists),
• basic data analysis tools (built-in statistical packages, plotting, etc.)

 As time permits, an introduction to functions may also be covered.

About the workshop

After you have defended, the final step for graduation eligibility is submitting your thesis, project, or extended essay(s) to the Library. This workshop will walk you through the thesis submission process.

You will learn:

1. How to log into the Thesis Registration System (TRS)
2. What documents are required to upload to the TRS
3. What “if applicable” documents you need to upload to the TRS
4. What happens after you have submitted

Note: A good time to take this workshop is sometime during the semester that you’ll be defending or sometime after you know when your defence date is.

About the workshop

The SFU Library thesis template is a Microsoft Word file designed to assist students in preparing theses, projects, and extended essay(s) in accordance with formatting standards and requirements for submission to the Library.

There are 3 parts to this workshop:

1. SFU Library's research data specialists will give instruction on how to store, preserve (archive) and, if appropriate, share research data for future uses. (15 to 20 minutes)

2. SFU Copyright Office will briefly explain copyright law as it relates to reproducing copyright protected material in your thesis and other published works, and explain how to request permission from copyright holders when required. (20 to 30 minutes)

3. For the remainder of the time, the Theses Office will walk through the overall structure of your thesis and demonstrate the functionality of the thesis template. You will learn how to:

• download the thesis template (a Microsoft Word file) and set up some defaults
• format your text using styles (ie. block quotes, lists, references, etc.)
• update the Table of Contents, List of Tables and List of Figures
• bring in text from other documents

If we have time, we will show you how to:

• insert figures/images and tables and generate auto-numbered captions
• update the List of Figures and Tables
• other tips and tricks

About the workshop

The SFU Library thesis template is a Microsoft Word file designed to assist students in preparing theses, projects, and extended essay(s) in accordance with formatting standards and requirements for submission to the Library.

There are 3 parts to this workshop:

1. SFU Library's research data specialists will give instruction on how to store, preserve (archive) and, if appropriate, share research data for future uses. (15 to 20 minutes)

2. SFU Copyright Office will briefly explain copyright law as it relates to reproducing copyright protected material in your thesis and other published works, and explain how to request permission from copyright holders when required. (20 to 30 minutes)

3. For the remainder of the time, the Theses Office will walk through the overall structure of your thesis and demonstrate the functionality of the thesis template. You will learn how to:

• download the thesis template (a Microsoft Word file) and set up some defaults
• format your text using styles (ie. block quotes, lists, references, etc.)
• update the Table of Contents, List of Tables and List of Figures
• bring in text from other documents

If we have time, we will show you how to:

• insert figures/images and tables and generate auto-numbered captions
• update the List of Figures and Tables
• other tips and tricks

 About Thesis Writing Group

Join Thesis Writing Group to make some serious progress on your thesis (or other academic writing projects) and to develop a sustainable writing practice. Thesis Writing Group runs for ten weeks each term and is modelled after other successful online writing groups that use scheduled time to work on writing with the (quiet) presence and support of other writers. Thesis Writing Group also makes many aspects of our in-person Thesis Writing Retreats available online throughout each term. 

What you can expect

Thesis Writing Group is held via Zoom. It is facilitated by members of the Graduate Writing Services team and the Research Commons Librarian, who are available for writing and research support during the weekly sessions. An Assistant for Theses will also be available for some of the sessions for any questions about using the thesis Word template, formatting, and the thesis submission process. Optional mini workshops on topics such as library research techniques, copyright, and academic publishing may be offered some weeks. For Summer 2025, sessions will be held on Fridays, 9:30 am - 12:30pm for 10 weeks, starting Friday, May 30 and concluding Friday, August 1.

The online writing group format

Some of you may already be familiar with or have participated in online writing groups. For both those with and without experience, we encourage you to join us for this unique experience! The group will begin each session by briefly checking in and setting goals before turning to dedicated writing time. Participants can request support from our team through the chat feature, and consultations/discussions will take place in breakout rooms. The 3-hour sessions conclude with the group coming together and discussing any reflections or areas of interest/concern.

Writers will be asked to keep their microphones muted while writing, and the use of webcams is welcome but entirely optional for each participant. 

 Registration is for ten weeks

Registration is available for all 10 weeks of sessions combined. We ask that registered participants commit to attending each session to the extent that their schedules allow.

Please register by Thursday, May 29, 2025 before 6:00am in order to receive the Zoom link to join.

If you have any questions about Thesis Writing Group, please contact Julie Jones, Research Commons Librarian, at jsj7@sfu.ca. 

 About Thesis Writing Group

Join Thesis Writing Group to make some serious progress on your thesis (or other academic writing projects) and to develop a sustainable writing practice. Thesis Writing Group runs for ten weeks each term and is modelled after other successful online writing groups that use scheduled time to work on writing with the (quiet) presence and support of other writers. Thesis Writing Group also makes many aspects of our in-person Thesis Writing Retreats available online throughout each term. 

What you can expect

Thesis Writing Group is held via Zoom. It is facilitated by members of the Graduate Writing Services team and the Research Commons Librarian, who are available for writing and research support during the weekly sessions. An Assistant for Theses will also be available for some of the sessions for any questions about using the thesis Word template, formatting, and the thesis submission process. Optional mini workshops on topics such as library research techniques, copyright, and academic publishing may be offered some weeks. For Summer 2025, sessions will be held on Fridays, 9:30 am - 12:30pm for 10 weeks, starting Friday, May 30 and concluding Friday, August 1.

The online writing group format

Some of you may already be familiar with or have participated in online writing groups. For both those with and without experience, we encourage you to join us for this unique experience! The group will begin each session by briefly checking in and setting goals before turning to dedicated writing time. Participants can request support from our team through the chat feature, and consultations/discussions will take place in breakout rooms. The 3-hour sessions conclude with the group coming together and discussing any reflections or areas of interest/concern.

Writers will be asked to keep their microphones muted while writing, and the use of webcams is welcome but entirely optional for each participant. 

 Registration is for ten weeks

Registration is available for all 10 weeks of sessions combined. We ask that registered participants commit to attending each session to the extent that their schedules allow.

Please register by Thursday, May 29, 2025 before 6:00am in order to receive the Zoom link to join.

If you have any questions about Thesis Writing Group, please contact Julie Jones, Research Commons Librarian, at jsj7@sfu.ca.