An Introduction to Spatial Data Linkage using R

Description:

Summary of course:

Researchers in many disciplines find themselves faced with the challenge of handling and linking spatial datasets without having any background training in geographical information science.  A frequent challenge is to be faced with two or more datasets from census, survey or administrative sources which contain differing sets of geographical codes and which must be combined or linked.  Examples include the association of environmental data, area classifications or deprivation scores with individual records or events referenced by postcodes or other geographical codes which do not appear in the contextual data.  Researchers are faced not only with the challenge of choosing the most appropriate methods, but also of identifying suitable tools in the face of complex geographical information systems software and datasets which are frequently too large to be handled in standard spreadsheet applications.  This one day course is designed to equip participants with the skills to tackle these generic challenges, covering the core principles, key reference datasets and practical techniques using the Open Source R package.  Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their own specific data linkage challenges with the experts and also to take away code examples that can be used in their own research.

Course contents:

• Principles of geographical referencing
• Overview of principal UK georeferencing systems
• Mapping and linking spatial datasets
• Practical mapping and linking techniques using R
• Surgery session using participants own data

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding geographical referencing principles
• Familiarising with key UK reference datasets
• Practical skills to undertake mapping and linkage, including take home example code

Computer Software and Computer Workshops:

This course includes computer workshops and a computing lab has been booked for this.

Presenters:

Professor David Martin – Professor of Geography at the University of Southampton.  David has been researching and teaching with georeferenced population datasets on a daily basis since 1986.  He developed the system of census output areas used by the Office for National Statistics for 2001 and 2011 censuses, which also underpins the areal units used for the government’s Indices of Deprivation and, more recently, census workplace zones.  He is a co-director of both the ESRC’s Administrative Data Research Centre and UK Data Service and has held numerous advisory roles in the field of geographical data handling.

Dr Chris Gale – Research Fellow at the ADRC-E based at the University of Southampton.  Chris’s PhD work concerned the development of the 2011 Area Classification for Output Areas (2011 OAC), a free and open geodemographic classification of the UK constructed from 2011 census data.

Target audience:

Participants may come from any sector or discipline. This training workshop is aimed at postgraduates/postdoctoral and other researchers who are not geographers but find themselves needing to handle/link geographically referenced data as part of their research projects or ongoing analysis roles.

Course programme:

• Principles of geographical referencing
• Overview of principal UK statistical and referencing geographies
• Mapping and data linkage spatial methods and tools
• Statistical linkage concepts
• Introduction to the R environment
• Practical mapping and linkage using R
• Application of methods to attendees own data

Pre-requisites:

None.

Course materials:

Participants will receive written course notes.

Training podcast available here: https://adrn.ac.uk/about/research-centre-england/training-podcasts/

Our courses are very popular and are often oversubscribed. If you cannot attend a course you have registered for, it is essential to kindly notify us a minimum of 30 days in advance so that your place can be released for another attendee. Details of our cancellation policy are here: http://store.southampton.ac.uk/help/?HelpID=1 Please see our full course list here: http://store.southampton.ac.uk/browse/product.asp?compid=1&modid=5&catid=113

Cost:

The fee per day is:
1. £30 - For UK registered postgraduate students
2. £60 - For staff at UK academic institutions, Research Council UK funded researchers, UK public sector staff and staff at UK registered charity organisations
3. Free place for ADRC-E/ADRN/ADS staff
4. £220 - For all other participants

All fees include event materials, lunch, morning and afternoon tea. They do not include travel and accommodation costs.

Website and registration:

http://store.southampton.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=5&deptid=39&catid=113&prodid=816

Region:

South East

Keywords:

Data linkage, Quantitative Approaches (other), Quantitative Software, R, spatial data linkage, data handling, mapping

Related publications and presentations:

Data linkage
Quantitative Approaches (other)
Quantitative Software
R

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