Guide to Dataset File Types
Which Instructional File Should I download?
Our datasets are designed to help you learn data analysis. The following files are available for download:
- Overview: This is the text that appears on the website. This introduces the method for revision and teaching purposes
- How-to Guide for IBM® SPSS® Statistics Software: This instructional guide walks a user through the steps of analyzing the data in IBM® SPSS® Statistics Software. The guide contains detailed instruction and screenshots for each step in the analysis process. This statistics package is commonly used by undergraduates
- How-to Guide for R (available on selected datasets): This instructional guide walks a user through the steps of analyzing the data in R. The guide contains detailed instruction and screenshots for each step in the analysis process. The statistics package, R, is free to download making it a popular choice for many social scientists who perform quantitative data analysis.
- Codebook: The codebook provides information on the structure, contents and layout of the data files.
Which Data File Should I Download?
Our datasets are available in multiple file formats, compatible with most common software packages. The table below shows the file types which map directly to each statistical program. Keep in mind that it is possible to import most other file types into these software too, but you may have to go through a few steps to do so. These software programs also often have code and procedures for opening file types from other statistical programs, and the user guide for the package or program will contain instructions for doing so.
| Software package | Most compatible file type |
|---|---|
| SPSS | .sav |
| Stata | .dta |
| R | .Rdata |
| Excel | .xlsx |
| Delimited | .csv; .tab |