Data and Technical Services

We offer a variety of services related to computing and software development. 

• High performance computing: If MPC members do not have access to adequate computing, we can facilitate access to servers running various statistical software packages and to high performance computing.
• Websites: We offer design and development consultation and implementation for MPC member projects that require custom websites.  
• Consultations and feasibility assessments: MPC members can request consultation related to computing and software needs for new and existing research projects. We have particular strengths in the design of data dissemination tools.

Our spatial analysis services span the research lifecycle, from consultations about potential projects through the development of maps for publications.

• Consultations about potential projects: We will help members assess the feasibility of projects that require spatial analysis, identify possible spatial datasets, and design measures based on spatial analytical techniques.
• Data acquisition and preparation: We will help members acquire and/or create spatial data for their projects. We have specific expertise in geocoding address data collected through surveys or administrative records. 
• Data processing: Once the data have been acquired and prepared, we can help create measures based on spatial analytical techniques or linking geocoded data to census or administrative units.

Our data science team is available for feasibility assessments and pilot studies, consultation and larger-scale implementation. Our three main areas of expertise include:

• Data infrastructure: We help assess the feasibility of proposed new data infrastructure projects; consult on the workflows, data structures, and metadata.
• Record linkage and machine learning: We can help population scientists develop and execute small-scale or developmental projects that require record linkage or machine learning, especially to assess project feasibility. 
• Innovative data capture: Improvements in optical character recognition has unlocked our ability to convert printed and handwritten documents into machine-readable data. We can help scientists with feasibility assessments or pilot studies and consult on the development and implementation of efficient workflows.

Our data access and preservation team provide population scientists with a wide variety of services, including:

• Data discovery and acquisition: Leveraging our team’s expertise and professional networks, we can help identify data required for a wide range of research projects. We can also help with data acquisition, including data fees.
• Data use contracts: We help guide members through the request process for restricted-use data licenses. We have helped scientists apply for and gain access to restricted use data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Survey (WLS), the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), various products from NORC, and private companies. 
• Data enclaves: MPC members have access to two physical data enclave rooms that provide a controlled, secure environment in which members can perform analyses using restricted-use data sets. All University members also have access to MnRDC, part of the Federal Statistical Research Data Center network. This specialized data enclave provides access to non-public data from several federal agencies. 
• Data preservation and archiving: Data preservation and archiving are critical aspects of the data lifecycle. We offer consultations on data preservation plans, identification of appropriate archives for deposit, registration of digital object identifiers (DOIs), and the preparation of data and metadata for archiving.