Jennifer,

Like James, a main frustration has been the departure from published
release dates, as it has meant it has been difficult to work out what is
actually available, compared to what should be, and whether what is on
the results site is new or has been released previously. I don't know if
anyone else has had the same problem, but I have also found that some of
the links have resulted in blank files or error messages (and don't know
whether this is because the results are just late, or whether there
genuinely is a problem!)

However, once I've got hold of the files, I have found the format to be
quite usable and have found that putting a pivot table over the data
(after a little formatting to make it work; e.g. removing the blank line
between the top of the data and the headings) provides a relatively easy
and quick way to manipulate them.

Like Laura, I have combined different spreadsheets together (to then put
a pivot table over everything at once) - after the initial work of
pasting everything together, this then makes the data very usable.

Helen



-----Original Message-----
From: Academic, financial or space planning in UK universities
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James Dunphy (aas)
Sent: 23 August 2010 09:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: NSS data

Jennifer

We have also been frustrated by the fragmented (and often late, against
timetable) publication of data and plan to highlight this to Ipsos Mori.
The decision to place 2010 data alongside the 2009 data at the preview
release stage was also confusing.

As Laura indicated, making the most of the data can involve using both
the results site and Unistats.

Best wishes,
James


________________________________
From: Academic, financial or space planning in UK universities
[[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Laura Watson
[[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 18 August 2010 15:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: NSS data

Hi Jennifer,

I took the decision this year (after much frustration last year) to use
only the downloads from unistats for our own internal analysis. That way
I get data for each institution at the subject and institutional level
all in one place (although I do have to join two spreadsheets together
to get all the jacs level 3 data on the one file).

Also, find the way they release the data in bits over the course of a
couple of weeks annoying.

Best wishes,
Laura

Laura Watson
Statistics Officer
University of St Andrews
The Old Burgh School
Abbey Walk
St Andrews
KY16 9LB

Tel: 01334 462116
Mob: 07540 671363
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/
The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland: No
SC013532.

On 18 Aug 2010, at 14:54, "Arkell J.H."
<[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:

Hello

Is anyone else very frustrated with the format (not to mention the
timing) of the NSS data as its been released this year? We're having a
lot of problems making any sense of the 100+ spreadsheets which seem to
be a totally unhelpful mix of raw data and partial analysis, without any
thought to how institutions might wish to use the data to understand the
context in which they operate.

Any insight - particularly if you're managing to get the tables to work
for you - would be welcome.

Jennifer

________________
Jennifer Arkell
Corporate Planning Manager
University of Southampton
www.soton.ac.uk<UrlBlockedError.aspx>

023 80594447
(internal 24447)



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