The Library subscribes to several key databases which provide access to
The Data and Statistics pages provide an overview of these databases and how to access them, including some trusted free resources available online. We also have a separate guide on market research:
1. Check your timetable and/or emails to see if training has been organised for your course or module
2. Use the help tools provided in individual databases
4. Book an appointment with your Academic Liaison Librarian, or email them - details on the Library guides
These events will be held online as standard - Bloomberg workshops will be on Zoom. A link and passcode for access will be in the calendar event emailed out to people who register.
Getting Started with Bloomberg
An introduction to the financial markets database, covering: what’s available, booking a terminal and setting up an account, finding your way around, getting help. Including Equities (GP, FA, SPLC, EQS); Equity Indices (WEI); Industries (BI); Economics (ECST, BECO).
Using Bloomberg with Excel
Covering exporting data from Bloomberg, downloading the Excel add-in, using the Spreadsheet Builder to import time series and static data, accessing templates, the basics of using formulas to build functions.
A Using Bloomberg with Excel class is being planned for March 2023 - date to be confirmed.
Bloomberg certification
An overview of the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) e-learning module: how to access and work through it, and how completing it can benefit employability, especially for those seeking careers in finance and investment.
Introduction to finding data and statistics
The session is aimed at providing you with an overview of the various datasets and statistical sources available to you. These include data on global economies, company financials (share price, market values, dividend yields, mergers and acquisitions, etc.) as well as on environment, social and governance (ESG).
What's in the UK Data Service?
The session introduces you to the UK Data Service, a comprehensive data source providing access to key economic and social data, both quantitative and qualitative. These include data on UK surveys, cross-national surveys, longitudinal studies, population census, international macrodata, business microdata, and qualitative mixed methods.
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For Bloomberg workshops at a later date, see the Bloomberg tab.
Academic Liaison Librarians are available between 1pm-4pm, Monday to Friday term-time to discuss queries about using library resources and referencing.
Outside of these times, you can use the Library chat service and your query will be picked up by another member of Brunel Library staff or our friendly co-op support staff, who provide us with 24/7 chat coverage.
Data vs statistics
Data are raw ingredients from which statistics are created. Statistics are useful when you just need a few numbers to support an argument, for example, degree holders earned an average of £12,000 a year more than non-graduates over the past decade - ONS. Statistics are usually presented in tables and charts. Statistical analysis can be performed on raw data to show relationships among the variables collected.
Aggregate/macro data vs microdata
Aggregate or Macro Data are higher-level data that have been compiled from smaller units of data. For example, the Census data that you find on UK Data Service have been aggregated to preserve the confidentiality of individual respondents. Microdata contain individual cases, usually individual people, or in the case of Census data, individual households.
Data sets and studies
In data archives like UK Data Service a data set or study is made up of the raw data file and any related files, usually the codebook and setup files. The codebook is your guide to making sense of the raw data. For survey data, the codebook usually contains the actual questionnaire and the values for the responses to each question.