Data Services
Information
Overview
Data Services acts as the focal point to assist OU faculty, researchers, and students with their data needs. You can consult with specialists and graduate assistants experienced in data management, analysis, and visualization. You’ll be able to ask questions and get the guidance you need!
About This Team
Mark Laufersweiler, Research Data Specialist
Mark is a member of the Digital Scholarship and Data Services team and specializes in OSF, ORCID, Dryad, research data management, Python, and GitHub. He is available to provide support both in person and online. You can schedule an appointment or visit him during his open office hours.
Consultations With Mark
Scheduled Consultations
Mark holds in-person consultations in Collaboration Room LL2104 of the Data Services Unit (formerly DAVIS), on Lower Level 2 of Bizzell Memorial Library.
Open Office Hours Drop-Ins
Mark is available for drop-ins during his open office hours. Visit him in person in Room LL121 of Bizzell Memorial Library or join him online in his virtual meeting room during the following hours:
Thursday: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Consultations with Research Specialists
Research Specialists are available for consultations and will host open office hours where faculty, graduate students, and staff are encouraged to visit and ask questions. Please get in touch with the Research Specialist you are interested in working with directly for more information.
Additional Resources
Workshops
OU Libraries offers workshops targeted to researchers of all levels (students, postdocs, faculty, and staff) to increase working efficiency with understanding of research and data better practices. Workshops focus on a broadly targeted mix of concepts and tools. Learn more about OU Libraries' Workshops.
Workshop topic areas include:
- Survival skills
- Better practices
- Workflow tools
- Library instruction
Stay Informed
Several email lists have been created if you are interested in receiving more information regarding upcoming OU Libraries' workshops and news and hours related to Data Services. In addition, changes in the open office hours will be sent to the list. You can add and/or remove your email from these lists at your convenience.
Important Related Links
- OU Licensed Software – The University offers a wide range of free and for-purchase software for work and school use.
- Institutional Research and Reporting – learn about the University of Oklahoma’s standards for monitoring, documenting, and disseminating data and responsible data use.
Products Supported and Notable Initiatives
The Nautilus Portal
OU Libraries is using Nautilus to provide researchers with hosted pods (also known as containers) for JupyterLab environments to access common software setups for coding languages and applications. Check out our Nautilus service page for more info!
AI Pilot Of Tools And Workshop Curriculum For Research And Instruction
Mark, Tyler, and Varun of the Digital Scholarship and Data Services team have received a $10,000 OU seed funding award in an effort to increase AI awareness and use on campus. This project establishes an AI sandbox in OU Libraries to provide hands-on access to generative and non-generative AI tools (JupyterLab, LibreChat, LiteLLM). The project includes the creation of training materials and fall workshops to support learning and experimentation with AI technologies.
Software Carpentries
The Carpentries teaches foundational coding and data science skills to researchers worldwide. OU Libraries offers three general beginner workshops that cover basic concepts and tools, including program design, version control, data management, task automation, and fundamental data skills. Participants are encouraged to help one another and to apply what they have learned to their own research problems and workflows.
FAQ
You can make an appointment with Mark Laufersweiler, OU Libraries Research Data Specialist, to talk about your data, or use the DSDS contact form to send him your question.