Aarhus University Seal

BSS Datalab - for teachers

  • Focus on coding and using data

What is BSS Datalab?

BSS DataLab is a physical space in the library at Fuglesangs Allé, staffed by data experts.
All BSS students and employees can get help working with data.

Get for example help with API calls, building datasets, financial data, Excel, Nvivo, R, Python and other tools. For example, we can help you extract, clean and organise your data, and we can also provide guidance in relation to further work with various analysis tools.

Why a BSS Datalab?

The purpose of a BSS DataLab is:

  1. to support and motivate the students' work with data
  2. to provide students with a social community around data work

The BSS DataLab can be an extra resource for your teaching when it comes to digital methods and tools.

The students can find help with data management, data analyses and tools for this, while fellow students and library staff can contribute with guidance for the data part of the students' assignments and projects.

The students will have a physical location where they and other students can experiment and play with data.

As a teacher, you can actively use BSS DataLab in your planning of teaching and/or assignment/thesis supervision – or refer the students to the BSS Datalab when it fits into the course plan. If necessary, see BSS Datalab calendar.

As a lecturer, you are also welcome to contact the employees at BSS DataLab to hear more about the different activities.

Who is behind BSS Datalab?

BSS DataLab is a collaboration between the strategic project manager for students' digital competences at BSS (Camilla Kølsen Pedersen) and AU Library.

As a student at BSS DataLab you will meet employees from AU Library who have different skills in specific programs. You will also meet teaching staff from AU's Department of Management and Centre for Educational Development.

How do you use BSS Datalab?

As a teacher, you can use BSS DataLab in several ways:

  • You can make your students aware of the offers in BSS Datalab. This may be particularly relevant in connection with Master's theses or larger assignments where the students need a brush-up of their data competencies
  • You can organise assignments and data work in your teaching so that it fits in with the open activities in the BSS DataLab
  • You can make requests for specific topics or databases that are particularly relevant to your students to the employees affiliated with BSS Datalab

Activities and courses

BSS Datalab - activities

BSS DataLab - courses

Programs, tools, methods

Here you can find a brief description of some of the programs and tools you can get help with. 
Please contact the employee who is listed as contact if you have questions about programs, tools or methods.

Excel

Excel is the well-known spreadsheet program from Microsoft where data is organized into rows and columns.

The program provides a good overview of your data, and the many built-in functions help you process, analyze and visualize data.

Python

Python is a versatile programming language which can be used for collecting, purification, analysis and visualisation of data.

The command-based approach scales well, and Python is therefore an obvious tool for larger datasets when more classic, visual programs fall short.

Python has a syntax that is easy to read and write, and it is therefore relatively easy to get started with.

R

The statistical programming language R comes with a wide range of uses, as well as the ability to extend functionality with a multitude of external packages.

You can use R to analyse data independently, but you can benefit from using R through the integrated development environment RStudio, which provides a good overview of data, variables, visualisations, files, etc.

Whisper

Whisper is a tool you can use for automatic transcription of audio files based on a Large Language Model developed by OpenAI.

You can install Whisper on your own computer, but it is recommended to use Whisper Transcription through UCloud, which provides access to DeiC Interactive HPC for researchers and students. This solution will give you the most advantages with regards to both computing power and data security.

BSS Datalab can help you get started with Whisper. As a quick introduction, you can follow this guide to Whisper prepared by Aarhus BSS IT & Communication.

Get help with programs, tools and methods

Data management

Kirsten Krogh Kruuse

Librarian AU Library, Bartholins Allé

Eikon and Orbis

Lars Lund-Thomsen

Research Librarian AU Library, Fuglesangs Allé

Anders Nørregaard

Information Specialist AU Library, Bartholins Allé

Excel

Steffen Armstrong Gjedde

Contact Librarian AU Library, Bartholins Allé

Kirsten Krogh Kruuse

Librarian AU Library, Bartholins Allé

NVivo

Steffan Mulle Markussen

Information Specialist AU Library, Herning

Copyright

Solveig Sandal Johnsen

Information Specialist AU Library, Bartholins Allé

Python

Martin Hauge Zeuner

Information Specialist AU Library, Bartholins Allé

R

Kirsten Krogh Kruuse

Librarian AU Library, Bartholins Allé

Martin Hauge Zeuner

Information Specialist AU Library, Bartholins Allé

VOSviewer

Lars Lund-Thomsen

Research Librarian AU Library, Fuglesangs Allé

Whisper

Martin Hauge Zeuner

Information Specialist AU Library, Bartholins Allé

Ideas and suggestions

Camilla Kølsen Petersen

Teaching Associate Professor Department of Management