Your Name and Title: Shiva Darbandi, Solutions Associate

Library, School, or Organization Name: Credo Reference

Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Portland, ME

Language in Which You Will Present: I will present in English. I can also conduct a session in Farsi.

Target Audience(s): Information professionals new to the process of data analysis

Short Session Description (one line): This interactive session will explore free tools, Open Source programs, and best practices for turning raw data into visually engaging information. 

Full Session Description (as long as you would like): In the library and information science landscape, assessment serves as a powerful tool for evaluating programs, measuring learning outcomes, understanding user needs, and much more. Today’s do-it-yourself-librarian can use sites, such as SurveyMonkey and Zoomerang, to create questionnaires in a matter of minutes. These online tools can also make the task of data collection as simple as hitting a download button. Although online surveys have certainly made our lives easier, these tools still have a ways to go before assisting us with the often overwhelming task of data analysis.

This session will explore assessment tools beyond SurveyMonkey. Learn about free and Open Source programs that will quickly and easily help with the analysis of your raw data. From importing information into a user-friendly statistics tool to designing colorful infographics, this session will guide you through the process of turning raw data into a format that’s more visually engaging for your stakeholders. Best practices, as well as several innovative examples, will be shared with attendees.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: http://www.sofastatistics.com/