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Vol. I — No. 1 · A Free Correspondence Course

A Classical
Course on
Data Research
Skills.

Four chapters, assembled in the manner of an old-world reading room. Open databases, structured documents, and the patient craft of looking things up — taught from the beginning.

Self-PacedGratisCertificate
Opening Lecture
Watch the opening lecture, then enroll below to receive the full four-chapter curriculum by email.
04
Chapters
4h
Total Runtime
00
Cost to Enroll
01
Certificate
§ From the Editor
A short note on why this curriculum exists, and who it is written for.
Before the word database was invented, researchers did the same thing they still do now. They learned where a record was kept, who kept it, and the grammar of the index that led to it. This short course is an introduction to that same craft, translated for the era of the browser tab. It is written for the curious reader who has never opened a data portal, never cited a primary source, and is not ashamed to begin at the beginning. You will not need software, a subscription, or a degree. You will need patience and an evening.
— The Editors
✦ Table of Chapters ✦

The Curriculum

I
Chapter

How Open Data Works

  • 01.What open data is and where it comes from
  • 02.The three layers: national, regional, and local
  • 03.Reading a dataset like a primary source
Runtime
52 min
ex libris ·
II
Chapter

Navigating Online Databases

  • 01.Anatomy of a searchable data portal
  • 02.Query syntax and search operators
  • 03.Exporting, citing, and preserving results
Runtime
1 hr 08
ex libris ·
III
Chapter

The Researcher's Workflow

  • 01.Cross-referencing across three sources
  • 02.Building a citation log from scratch
  • 03.Notation systems used by professional researchers
Runtime
47 min
ex libris ·
IV
Chapter

Tools of the Trade

  • 01.A spreadsheet as a research instrument
  • 02.Free software every researcher keeps bookmarked
  • 03.Patterns, templates, and repeatable method
Runtime
1 hr 15
ex libris ·
✦ Admission is Open ✦

Begin the course
this evening.

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§ Correspondence

Letters to the Editor

Questions received most often from readers preparing to enroll. If yours is not here, the first lesson will likely answer it.

01Is the course genuinely free to enroll?
Yes. The full curriculum is free. No card is requested, no paywall is hidden between lessons.
02Do I need prior experience with databases?
None. The first chapter assumes the reader has never opened a data portal. The pacing is deliberate.
03How long does the course take to complete?
The four chapters run about four hours of video combined. Most readers pace them across a week of evenings.
04What will I be able to do by the end?
Navigate any open database with confidence, read structured documents the way a librarian reads them, and keep a research log that holds up to scrutiny.
05Is there a certificate?
A printable certificate is issued after the fourth chapter is completed.
✦ Colophon ✦

The course is open to all readers, without fee.

Enter your address and the opening chapter will arrive by return post. No payment is requested, and enrollment may be withdrawn at any time.

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