Launched in January 2013, the Empirical Reasoning Center (ERC) supports the College’s initiative to embed “empirical reasoning” across the undergraduate curriculum. By empirical reasoning, we mean “thinking critically with data” of all kinds -- quantitative, qualitative and geospatial. It is, we believe, another form of literacy on par with “reading, writing and …” At the most basic level, it embraces the capacity to comprehend and evaluate varied empirical arguments/evidence and to write cogently with data. At the other end, it encompasses the successive steps in developing and carrying out an independent research project including the formulation of an empirical question; specification of the appropriate methods of analysis; collection (even production) and analysis of the relevant data; and interpretation and presentation of the results.
The ERC provides students and faculty with a variety of data analysis services, notably (but not exclusively) for courses satisfying the “Thinking Quantitatively and Empirically” and “Thinking Technologically and Digitally” Foundations Curriculum requirements. ERC staff collaborate with faculty in developing curricular content for their courses and corresponding instructional workshops. To assist students with workshop content and empirical assignments, it operates a drop-in help desk staffed by undergraduate fellows and graduate assistants, and maintains a catalog of instructional webpages and digital recordings of workshops.
