Even with the university closure and other uncertainties, DiSC staff continues to provide assistance to the Mason community.
Advice
DiSC has many online InfoGuides with information about the most common issues people encounter. These will continue to be available and updated.
As always, you can get assistance with any of your data needs by emailing datahelp@gmu.edu. We typically reply within 1 business day.
Consultations
DiSC consultants continue to be available for appointments, but all will be conducted virtually. The university has a subscription to WebEx which enables video chat and screensharing.
Computer Lab
See below for advice on access to the most popular software. If you need additional assistance, please contact datahelp@gmu.edu. We can also suggest alternative solutions using free and open software.
Access to Data
Almost all library resources, including data, are available from off campus. For subscription sources, be sure to use links to the databases through the library website such as Subject List or the A-Z List so that you will be asked to log in.
Use our InfoGuides on finding data for access to popular data resources. Here are two good ones to start with:
Find Data & Statistics: Best Places to Start – useful for accessing sources for looking up statistics on a topic or building a quick table.
Find Data for Analysis – useful for finding datasets and data sources for data analysis projects.
Again, if you can’t find what you need, ask us.
Software Access
The university has a Virtual Computing Lab that provides access to some of the software through Microsoft’s Remote Desktop application (PC and Mac). With additional needs, it may not be as available as it has been. In addition, many have difficulty connecting to and using it. Those using Stata tend to be the most satisfied with it.
It may be best for students to install or have individual access to software. Here are some options for student access to the most popular software, as well as some alternatives that should be considered. The purchase column lists the lowest cost option.
| VCL (how to) |
Free Trial | Student Purchase | Teaching | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVivo | No | 14 days | 2yr, $64/$80 | Teachers can request additional trial codes for NVivo. |
| ArcGIS | Yes | Email Na Liu for access | Consider ArcGIS Online (FREE through Mason) or QGIS | |
| SPSS | Yes | 14 days | 6mo, $35 | Consider the free, cross-platform softwares PSPP (intentionally like SPSS) or Jamovi |
| STATA | Yes | 7 days | 6mo, $48 | Instructors can request 7-day licenses for their students. Contact DiSC if these options do not meet your needs. |
| SAS | Yes | Free University Edition | Free edition may not have advanced features | |
| R | Yes | Free | Consider also RStudio Cloud, currently free. | |