Download This three-days training course focuses on managing historical data

DSh IUA 2016 04 Activity title Opening the
digital tool box: managing historical data in
Access
This three-days training course focuses on managing historical data in an Access database for
two target groups. The beginners course introduces the key elements to design a basic
database as a research tool. The advanced course concentrates on the possibilities of Access to
analyze historical data and addresses specific research issues. Target audience This course is
open for PhD students, post-docs and senior researchers.
All information and registration by sending an email to
Contact person Miet Adriaens [email protected]
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Doctoral School DSh
Research group HIST
Name(s) of the VUB organizer(s) Miet Adriaens, PhD student (History, supervisor
Frederik Buylaert)
Name and affiliation of external member(s) (if applicable)
Dagmar Germonprez, University of Antwerp
Andrea Bardyn, University of Leuven
Inter-university activity? (VUB, KU Leuven, Universiteit Antwerpen
Role of external member(s) (if applicable) Dagmar Germonprez, organizer
Andrea Bardyn, organizer
Academic field(s) in which the activity is situated
All fields which can come into contact with examining historical data: ranging from (art)
history, archeology, literature and linguistics to sociology, economics, legal studies etc.
Relevance for the VUB PhD community
The use of databases as a research tool for collecting and managing historical source material
has become more and more mainstream. Yet, to date, there is only very litlle support on how
to design and use a database specifically for the challenges connected to historical data (e.g.
missing data, multiple spelling variations, handeling evolutions over time). The many Access
manuals apllied to the field of management turn a lot of PhD students frustrated because these
manuals do not give answers to their questions. As a consequence the development of their
databases takes away much valuable research time.
The need for more 'custom made' support also reflects in the formation of 'Digital Humanities
Flanders' which provides for research support, infrastructure and training. However, despite
this initiative, there has not been a Flemish/Belgian practical course on databases for the
humanities yet. In addition and in contrast to Leuven and Antwerp, the VUB has for now only
one research group as a partner in this academic community. Therefore, organizing this event
is not only an opportunity to make the VUB more visibile in Digital Humanities, it will
moreover bring much wanted expertise in digital skills to the VUB PhD Community.
Detailed format of the activity
This activity will be a three-days training course on how to use Access for examining
historical data. This implies (a) the design of a database and (b) collecting and analyzing data.
Out of an informal inquiry among PhD colleagues in Brussels, Antwerp and Leuven we have
learned that those who have already developed a database by trial and error where not keen to
aplly for a training course starting with the basics. Therefore we have planned a one-day
course for startes (especially working on design and the needed building blocks to make an
intelligent start) and a two-days advanced course (especially working on tools for data
integrety and analyzes and providing time for specific problems participants are having with
their own database).
We have convinced dr. Mark Merry to be the lecturer for this course. Dr. Merry is affiliated
with the 'Institute of Historical Research', part of the University of London. He has about ten
years experience with developing relational databases for projects with historical data. Since
2011 he also teaches the courses 'Databases for Historians I and II' at the 'Institute for
Historical Research' in London. Out of experience we know that he is a good (and patient)
teacher who is able to answer all different kinds of questions. Furthermore he will structure a
course based on our particular needs and create a hand-out.
Finally we also plan three general lectures (one each day) with three different speakers who
will share their experiences on using Access in their own research.
Timing/planning of activity We plan this three-day course in the week of April 25th.
(provisional) program:
Day 1: BEGINNERS
09h00 - 10h30: Short Introduction
different approaches of DB design
3 layer model
Basic rules
difficulties historical data
10h45 - 12h15: Database components and design
steps to make a database
tables
relationships
13h00 - 14h30: Grouping data and difficulties historical data
Historical Data
Standardisation
Classification
14h45 - 16h00: Forms and import/export data
import/export data
wizard forms
Sub forms
tools
16h15 - 17h30: Simple Queries
creating a query
Boolean logic
Boolean logic
aggregate query (Σ totals)
Group by
17h30 - 18h00: Plenary Lecture
Day 2: ADVANCED: enhancing the data entry process
09h00 - 10h30: Short introduction
refresher
difficulties historical data
Objects, Properties and events
10h45 - 12h15: Speeding up and simplifying data entry
Interface/"front end"
multiple table input forms
controlled vocabularies
13h00 - 14h30: Speeding up and simplifying data entry
using codes
navigation controls
other formtools
14h45 - 16h00: Automation
automated value generation
conversion
16h15 - 17h30: Clinic (3 specific DB-problems of participants)
[to be announced after completion of registrations]
17h30 - 18h00: Plenary Lecture
Day 3: ADVANCED: achieving good quality data
09h00 - 10h30: Analysis and connections
Advanced Queries
10h45 - 12h15: Data processing
Further Queries
13h00 - 14h30: Presenting data
pivot tables
graphs
14h45 - 16h00: Exporting data
preparation for GIS
DB-sharing
16h15 - 17h30: Clinic (3 specific DB-problems of participants)
[to be announced after completion of registrations]
17h30 - 18h00: Plenary Lecture
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Language used in seminar English
Number of meetings 3
Maximum number of participants 40
Credits : 2