As a graduate student, you will likely realize that the research standards you’re held to are a bit different from when you were an undergrad. Graduate-level research requires more advanced and specialized techniques for searching and gathering information. But whether you need introductory training in the research methods that will be the building blocks of your academic career or you’re ready to take on advanced data analysis, USC University Libraries’ Digital Research Services team is here to help.

Here’s what all grad students should know about Digital Research Services.

“Any collection of information is data.”

The mission of DRS is "to support USC faculty, staff and students by lowering or removing technology barriers from modern research questions." The DRS team asserts that "any collection of information is data," from quantitative survey results to oral histories and text analysis, and that researchers in all fields can benefit from what they have to offer. This can include helping to develop a data management plan, finding the best way to visually represent researchers' findings, publishing research, and even using AI for data analysis.

Those research skills have obvious benefits for those in STEM fields and the social sciences. But they can also add significant value to scholarship in the humanities, and the DRS team is particularly committed to bridging the gap between STEM and humanities disciplines when it comes to the tools and technology used to collect, manage, and analyze data.

Get personalized help.

Students can schedule one-on-one appointments with librarians in the department, who can help with every step of the research cycle. 

• Glenn Bunton, Data Visualization Librarian, is here to help students choose the best tools and methods for visually representing their data, as well as using programs like Tableau and Microsoft Power BI.
• For data management, students can schedule an appointment with Research Data Librarian Stacy Winchester, who can help with any aspect of the data management lifecycle, which includes collecting, storing, publishing, and reusing information. This is an important aspect of research, as grant applicants are often required to have a data management plan to receive funding from major agencies.
• For students looking for help working with data for their thesis, dissertation, or other project, Data Analysis and Statistics Services can provide individual or small group help with data analysis, statistics, and software that can be utilized.

Vandana Srivastava, AI and Data Science Specialist, stresses the importance of the type of assistance students can seek from DRS. She describes it as "taking research to the next level" from simply accessing scholarly literature to learning how to use advanced tools and technology for analyzing information. She also touches on the unique support that students receive during one-on-one appointments with specialists, compared to other, more passive methods- like video tutorials- where "you won't be able to get your questions answered" in the moment. Students who seek individual consultation can be met where they're at in terms of familiarity and skill level, as is true with typical one-on-one library help, but with a special focus on graduate-level research.

In addition to personalized consultations for students, the department offers a series of SHARPGrads workshops for which graduate students, after attending five or more sessions, can receive a certificate and digital badge. Some topics for these sessions include learning how to manage research data, utilizing MATLAB, and learning about copyright agreements for published research. This program (which comes at no extra cost) can help students distinguish themselves from others in the same job pool by equipping them with skills and experience that can be applied "in the real world" while still in school.

Cutting-edge AI support

Digital Research Services also offers support for utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in projects. One method you can expect to learn about in this area is text analysis – a form of data mining where structured or unstructured texts are analyzed for patterns or trends. For example, if a student conducted a large survey or a series of ethnographic interviews, they could use computational analysis tools to find common themes, or the most significant terms used in the information they have collected. While digital research departments in general are common among research universities, USC’s implementation of AI into library services puts the university on the cutting edge.

Recognition – and cash – for outstanding data visualization

Grad students who would like to be recognized for their research can enter the DRS department's annual Data Visualization Award competition. This is an opportunity for students to promote data literacy, celebrate their work and that of their classmates, and possibly win a $1000 grand prize. Any graduate student working on a project involving data visualization is encouraged to enter. The submission period begins on Monday, October 7, 2024, and lasts through Friday, January 3, 2025.

DRS is here for you.

In an ever-evolving research landscape, the assistance that Digital Research Services provides is crucial to student success. Whether you are in the planning stage, preparing to analyze data, or trying to figure out the publishing process, DRS is here for you. To learn more about how Digital Research Services can help you take your research to the next level, click here or send an email to digres@mailbox.sc.edu.