Resources
Course Documents
Syllabus Contract
Review and sign the Syllabus Contract to confirm you understand course policies, grading expectations, and academic integrity standards.
Annotated Manuscript Example
An example of a properly annotated research article, demonstrating the critical reading protocol used in Week 5.
π₯ Download Annotation Example (PDF)
Essential Downloads
Liaison Obsidian Vault
Your complete workspace for the Open Methods Hub.
π₯ Download Methods_Vault.zip
Whatβs Included: - π 00_Inbox - Quick capture area - π 01_Journal - Weekly reflection templates - π 02_Literature - Reading notes - π¬ 03_Project - Research workspace (prospectus, codebook, data, drafts) - πΌοΈ 04_Resources - Attachments and media - π 99_Templates - Assignment templates
Size: ~15 MB | Format: ZIP
Optional: Textbook Package
Supplemental textbook bundle for reference.
π₯ Download 05_Textbook.zip Optional
Extract into your vaultβs 04_Resources/ folder or keep adjacent for quick access.
Required Software
Install these tools before starting Phase 1:
ποΈ Obsidian
Personal knowledge management system
Free
GitHub
Version control and collaboration
Free
GitHub Desktop
Visual git interface (no command line)
Free
π R & RStudio
Statistical analysis and visualization
Free
π» VS Code
Code editor with Git integration
Free
Quick Links
- Setup Guide - Complete your workspace in 15 minutes
- Phase I: The Journalist - Start the program
- Syllabus - Course policies and schedule
- Vibes to Variables Textbook - Companion textbook
Need Help?
Email: aleith@siue.edu
Office Hours: MW 10:00β11:30 AM and 1:30β3:00 PM Setup Guide :::
Git & GitHub
Version control for your projects and collaboration.
Free
R & RStudio
Statistical computing and data analysis.
Free
VS Code
Professional code editor for Python, R, and more.
Free
:::
Learning Templates
Ready-to-use templates in your vault:
π Weekly Journal Template
10-15 min
Use this each week to reflect on your learning using one of three thinking paths: - The Connector - How does this relate to what I know? - The Troubleshooter - What problems did I solve? - The Critic - Does this match my experience?
π Data Dictionary Template
15-20 min
Define your variables and create your codebook in Phase 3. Includes columns for: - Variable name, definition, type, allowed values, and examples
π Vault Orientation File
5 min
Start here for an overview of your vault structure and folder purposes.
Learning Guides
Step-by-step setup and configuration guides:
π Complete Setup Guide
15-20 min
Full walkthrough for configuring your workspace, Obsidian, and tools.
π§ R & RStudio Installation
20-30 min
Detailed instructions for Windows, macOS, and Linux with troubleshooting.
π» VS Code Setup for R & Python
15-20 min
Configure VS Code with extensions, GitHub integration, and workflow tips.
π GitHub & Git Quickstart
10-15 min
Learn version control basics and how to sync your projects.
Getting Help
Questions by Topic
Setup & Tools: - Canβt install Obsidian? See setup guide - Git not working? See GitHub guide - R installation stuck? See R guide
- What is The Journalist phase? Read Phase I
- What is The Architect phase? Read Phase II
- What is The Builder phase? Read Phase III
General Questions: - Email Dr. Leith: aleith@siue.edu - Office Hours: MW 10:00β11:30 AM or 1:30β3:00 PM (or by appointment)
FAQ
Q: Do I need to download the textbook?
A: No, itβs optional. You can access course readings through the library or online sources.
Q: Can I use Excel instead of R?
A: Yes, Excel works for basic analysis. R is recommended for more complex projects.
Q: What if I already use a note-taking app?
A: Obsidian is recommended but optional. The course works with Notion, OneNote, or even physical notebooks.
Q: Where do I turn in my work?
A: Save deliverables in your Methods_Vault under 03_Project/. Dr. Leith will collect via email or learning management system.
Q: Can I work with others?
A: Absolutely! Pair programming and collaborative analysis are encouraged. Document who contributed what.
Q: What if I fall behind?
A: Reach out to Dr. Leith early. The phases are structured but flexibleβwe can adjust timelines if needed.
Q: Are there textbooks or readings?
A: Course readings will be posted in each phase. Check Phase 1 for the syllabus.
Recommended Third-Party Resources
For Data Analysis
- R4DS Online Learning Community - Free R guide
- Python Data Science Handbook - Free Python guide
- Kaggle Learn - Short courses on data skills
For Research Methods
- JSTOR Daily - Accessible research articles
- Google Scholar - Academic search
- ResearchGate - Connect with researchers
For Communication
- Data Viz Catalogue - Chart types and usage
- Canva - Free design templates
- Hemingway App - Improve your writing clarity
Software Comparison Chart
| Tool | Cost | Best For | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian | Free | Note-taking, vault organization | Easy |
| Git/GitHub | Free | Version control, collaboration | Medium |
| R/RStudio | Free | Statistical analysis, detailed control | Medium-Hard |
| Python | Free | Data wrangling, flexible analysis | Medium |
| VS Code | Free | Code editing, multiple languages | Medium |
| Excel | Paid | Quick analysis, pivot tables | Easy |
Feedback & Suggestions
Have ideas for improving these resources?
- In-course feedback: Talk to Dr. Leith or use Blackboard feedback
- Resource suggestion: Email your ideas to aleith@siue.edu
- Bug report: If links donβt work, let me know!
Last Updated: January 2026
Questions? Email Dr. Leith (aleith@siue.edu) or visit office hours