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Announcements, events, and news from Spark

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December 5th 2024

Bi-weekly news from Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University

Centre News

How to Keep Your Research Secure: Essential Data Security Practices for Researchers

Protecting your research data is critical to maintaining the integrity of your findings, upholding ethical standards, and safeguarding participants' privacy. Whether you're working with public data or sensitive personal health information, understanding and applying the right data security measures is crucial.

Understanding Research Data SensitivityResearch data ranges from public (low-risk) to restricted (high-risk) based on its sensitivity. Public data is open for all, while restricted data includes personal identifiers like health or credit information that require strict security protocols.

Recommended Practices for Research Data Security

Adopt the Least Access Principle: Grant as little permissions and data access to only to team members who need it.

Use Strong Passwords: Protect sensitive data with secure, unique passwords. Use a reputable password manager to share passwords with your team.

Regular Backups: Store research files securely using McMaster approved tools like MacDrive or SharePoint.

Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data both in storage and during transfer.

Secure Disposal: Properly delete or wipe digital data once it’s no longer needed to prevent unauthorized access. Destroy physical copies such as paper or CDs as well!

Tools & Resources for Research Data SecurityAt Spark, we recommend researchers various resources and collaborators for data protection, including:

MacDrive or OneDrive for secure cloud storage.

Encryption tools to secure both data at rest and in transit such as Bitlocker.

The Sherman Center for Digital Scholarship

RHPCS for high-performance computing support.

The Importance of Data Security in ResearchEnsuring robust data security is not only about protecting your work but also about fostering trust in community groups and meeting legal and ethical standards. From accepting the data to research, publication and archival, every step needs to be secured.

Secure Your Research Today

Explore Spark’s full range of data security resources and tools. Contact Lily Wang for guidance at [email-masked] or visit us at Spark-CoLab, LRW 5083 to learn how we can help secure your research journey.

Upcoming Events

“You Can Visualize Qualitative Data!”

Research has shown that visuals make more lasting impressions than blocks of text. Yet too many still believe that data visualization is reserved for quantitative data. With a slideshow and hands-on demonstration, this talk will help equip you to begin building your own qualitative visuals.

Allison Van is the Executive Director of Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University. She specializes in mixed-methods complex systems analysis, community/academic partnerships, and the translation of research into social change. Her career has traversed sectors and disciplines, including extensive work in agricultural and rural development, poverty, child welfare and juvenile justice, social entrepreneurship, and medical innovation. Uniting these experiences was a common approach to applied research and experimentation, allowing Allison to transform radically different systems and organizations. Previously, she was the Associate Director of Evaluation at the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute at University of North Carolina. Prior to that she worked at Winrock International, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the National Rural Funders Collaborative. Allison Van is currently building the Spark into an international model of innovation in social science research support.

Below is a preview for Allison Van's upcoming Spark Talk on January 10th, 2025.

This video is a preview video for Allison Van's Spark Talk on January 10th, 2025.

Resources for Researchers

Research Conversations

We provide up to 4 hours of free support each year to any researcher (students, staff, faculty or community) on every social research topic imaginable.  If we can't help you, we'll help you find someone who can.

Request a research conversation here.

Qualtrics Licenses

If you are an Faculty of Social Sciences researcher who would like to request access to Qualtrics survey software, please contact us here.

Looking to pool software licences?

Now you can! Fill out this form and we will reach out if we can match you with others looking to pool licences.

Methods Demonstrations

Faculty in Social Sciences may request demonstrations, short trainings, or code-along sessions from Spark staff for Research Methods or Professional Skills courses.  We're happy to discuss any needs and have already developed trainings for Literature Review, Interviewing, Survey Development, Focus Groups, Data Visualization.  Email us at [email-masked] to discuss if there's a fit for your course.

CoLab

Research on research innovation (yes, it's very meta) points to a simple truth.  Being in the same physical space and able to informally interact significantly increases cross-disciplinary collaboration and discovery.  The Spark CoLab aims to be such a space.  It is a free, open co-working space for graduate students, research staff and faculty.  You can learn more on our website or stop by from 9 am - Noon or 1 pm - 4pm on Tuesday or Thursday for a tour and orientation.

SEAL

Some data is critical to addressing major research questions, but is also profoundly sensitive and must be secured.  SEAL is a high security data repository that allows approved researchers worldwide to access highly sensitive data securely.  Data owners can use it to engage researchers in using their datasets and researchers can access data that otherwise would not be available to them.

Learn more about SEAL at: https://seal.mcmaster.ca/

Brighter Spark Applied Research

Spark offers custom research and evaluation, as well as highly skilled assistance in implementing virtually any social research method. Our cost-recovery services include methods and software training, custom research, state-of-the-art facilities, and taking on elements of your project to support its completion.

For a full list of Brighter Spark Applied Research's services, visit here.

Spark Collaborations

Help us profile your research, publications, job ads, opportunities, and upcoming events by sending them to: [email-masked] to be showcased in our following newsletter.

Statistics Canada Workshops

Statistics Canada is offering valuable workshops designed to enhance your understanding of statistical methods and economic frameworks. These workshops are ideal for beginners or those seeking a refresher.

Workshop: Introduction to Basic Statistics

This 8-hour workshop, spread over two days, covers essential statistical measures and hypothesis testing methods, making it perfect for those new to statistics or in need of a refresher. Participants will learn about Descriptive and Inferential statistics, measures such as margin of error, and Z-tests and Chi-Square methods.

Cost: $325 per learner

Target Audience: Ideal for beginners; may be too basic for advanced users.

Registration: Available in both English and French from October to November. Register Here

Workshop: Statistics Canada's Supply-Use Framework

This workshop provides an overview of Statistics Canada's Supply and Use Tables, including GDP calculations and economic impact models. It's geared towards those interested in understanding macroeconomic concepts and how they are applied.

Cost: $550 per learner

Target Audience: Ideal for those with a basic understanding of macroeconomics; may be too basic for advanced users.

Registration: Available in both English and French in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal from September to November. Register Here

Kudos

Let's celebrate the achievements of colleagues, friends, and those doing important social research with the potential to spark a brighter world. We welcome recommendations for kudos features (including for yourself)! Please send any features you would like us to mention by emailing us at: [email-masked].

Congratulations to Social Sciences Valedictorian Carolyn Ralph, who graduated Nov. 20 with a Master of Social Work degree from the School of Social Work in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Read more about her here.

Kudos to artist, poet and community champion Tom Wilson, who received an honorary degree from McMaster at the Nov. 20th Fall Convocation. Wilson’s contributions to Hamilton and its communities are extensive. In addition to his advocacy, he’s a strong supporter of the Hamilton Music Collective, and organized a concert series that raised thousands of dollars for an initiative that reduces barriers to music education for students living in poverty. Read more about him here.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Chelsea Gabel for being named Tier 1 Canada Research Chair. Gabel’s current research focuses on Indigenous policy, Indigenous identity, Métis health and well-being, data governance, arts-based research, ethics, digital technology and the importance of intergenerational relationships. Social Sciences Dean Jeremiah Hurley said, “Dr. Chelsea Gabel has been an enormous contributor to the departments of Health, Aging and Society and Indigenous Studies.” Read more about her here.

Kudos to Thomas Marois, professor in the department of political science, for being named as a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Public Banking for Sustainability, Inclusion and Prosperity. Social Sciences Dean Jeremiah Hurley noted, “Since joining our community in 2023, Thomas has made significant contributions to our global research portfolio. His work showcases vital policy innovations that can drive sustainability, particularly through the Public Banking Project.” Read more about him here.

Congratulations to all Social Sciences graduates who convocated this Fall.

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