Access to Data Sets and Data Documentation

The data sets used in this class and described in more detail in the syllabus cannot be accessed from this web site. They are available from the local area network (LAN) in the Social Science lab only. If you plan to work with these data sets in any other lab (including the ACS labs on the 10th floor of Hunter North), you must make a copy of these files on a private diskette. Since these files are relatively small, all files fit on one 3.5" high density diskette. I strongly recommend to make a copy of these files. This is a good idea, even if you plan to work in the social science lab. In the past, we have experienced some technical problems which temporarily blocked access to the files.

Location of NYC data sets

In the social science lab, go to a DOS prompt (hit "F1" key when the blue menu screen shows), then type Make sure to leave a blank (space) between "cd" and the rest, and a blank after copy and before "a:". Otherwise, do not insert blanks. Press ENTER after each command. Of course, you need to put a formatted diskette in the "a:" drive before you do this. This will copy all three NYC related data sets (files with an extension of ".sav") as well as three files documenting these data sets onto your diskette.

The data sets are in a specific SPSS-for-Windows format, i.e. you need the SPSS program to work with them.

The data documentation files are in WordPerfect format (extension of ".wpd", i.e. you need WP6.1 for Windows or compatible software to read these files. The main part of the questionnaire for the crime survey is also available as a simple ASCII file. i.e. a file that you can read on any computer running under DOS. All ACS labs are equipped with the necessary software to use both data and data documentation files.

Location of textbook data sets

The data sets used in examples and problems in the textbook are all in SPSS format with an extension of ".sav". Follow the same procedure as above, but modify the second command as follows: