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Albert S. Cook Library

Research Tech: AI, Citations, Data, and More

This guide provides an overview of technology that supports every stage of the academic process—from reading and organizing sources to conducting literature reviews, managing citations, analyzing data, and sharing research.

Data Services and Software

Data Analysis and Visualization Tools

SQL is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system, or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system.

ATLAS.ti (@ATLASti) / TwitterATLAS.ti is software for the qualitative analysis of large bodies of textual, graphical, audio and video data.

All the examples below are available in the documents above as well.

Click below links and then the "copy" button for the google sheets examples of different data visualizations. If you don't have a google account, go to www.google.com to register one and sign in before you can use the examples.

What is BigQuery?

BigQuery is a fully managed enterprise data warehouse that helps you manage and analyze your data with built-in features like machine learning, geospatial analysis, and business intelligence. BigQuery's serverless architecture lets you use SQL queries to answer your organization's biggest questions with zero infrastructure management. BigQuery's scalable, distributed analysis engine lets you query terabytes in seconds and petabytes in minutes.

Looker Studio

Self-service business intelligence with unmatched flexibility for smarter business decisions. (Formerly known as Data Studio)

GIS Mapping Software

ArcGIS Online (AGOL) is ESRI's Cloud GIS platform for searching and sharing of maps and geospatial data.

The following ESRI applications require an AGOL account:

ArcGIS Pro Desktop Application       
      

ArcGIS Business Analyst Web and Mobile Apps

ArcGIS Community Analyst       
      
ArcGIS Insights
GeoPlanner for ArcGIS       
      
AppStudio Developer Edition

 

Through the AGOL interface, accounts need to tie to specific users, who need to be members of the TU AGOL organization. Mobile apps like Collector for ArcGIS and Survey123 are free to download, but require an AGOL account tied to an organization (i.e. not a public account).

A limited number of  accounts are available for each of these six applications.

To inquire about Towson ArcGIS Online accounts, contact TU Center for GIS at gisHelp@towson.edu during normal business hours.

ESRI

These resources are provided by the organization that maintains ArcGIS.

Academic Library and University Tutorials

These guides have been produced by librarians and university professors to help users get started with ArcGIS

LinkedIn Learning

The following asynchronous online courses are offered through LinkedIn Learning. Towson University faculty, staff, and students should log-in using their TU credentials. Learn more about LinkedIn Learning on the Office of Technology Services website. Questions about LinkedIn Learning should be directed to OTS.

QGIS

QGIS is a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) licensed under the GNU General Public License. QGIS is an official project of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). It runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, Windows and Android and supports numerous vector, raster, and database formats and functionalities.

Google Earth Pro is a 3D interactive globe and mapping program that can be used to aid planning, analysis and decision making

Google

These resources are provided by the organization that created and maintains Google Earth.

Academic Library and University Tutorials

These guides have been produced by librarians and university professors to help users get started with Google Earth Pro

Other Resources

OpenStreetMap 

Build Your Research Profile

Creating and maintaining a researcher profile in one or multiple platforms can help you disseminate your research and establish your identity in the field. A researcher profile will:

  • Disambiguate you from others with similar names.
  • Link your publications and other research contributions to your profile despite name or affiliation change.
  • Enhance the discoverability of your work.
  • Allow you to use your profile data for tasks like updating your CV.

Monitor Article Impacts

These tools help you track meaningful engagement with research as it is shared, mentioned, reviewed, and read online.