LINXS offers hands on support in data analysis to grow the SAS community in partnership with MAX IV, ESS, Lund University and SciLifeLab

Participants at the most recent SAS-data clinic in January. This clinic was primarily focused on solving users’ problems with SasView – an open source, collaboratively developed software tool for the analysis of small-angle scattering data.

Offering hands-on support to help researchers analyse their Small Angle Scattering (SAS) data is important for supporting and growing the SAS-community. LINXS has hosted several data clinics to build competence and capability amongst users.

The idea for the SAS data clinic came about through a conversation between Marie Skepö and Wojtek Potrzebowski. She is a Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry at Lund University, and previous LINXS Vice-Director, while Wojtek Potrzebowski then held the position of instrument data scientist at ESS.

Wojtek Potrzebowski is a Data Science Coordinator at SciLifeLab.

The first editions of the SAS data clinic were run by instrument data scientists, researchers and postdocs from MAX IV, ESS and Lund University, including Wojtek Potrzebowski, Tomás Plivelic and Henrik Vinther Sörensen. However, the most recent clinic was a partner event between LINXS, the SasView Community, and SciLifeLab Lund.

– It can be both lonely and quite difficult to make use of data collected during SAS-experiments. The technique is also challenging to learn. With these initiatives, we have aimed to provide a setting in which to learn and brainstorm, says Wojtek Potrzebowski, Data Science Coordinator at SciLifeLab.

Interchange of experiences important for supporting new users

He explains that the interchange of experiences is especially important for supporting new users. Through giving advice to less experienced researchers one can not only support them in interpreting their data, but it is also a win-win for the experts as they learn about new research, and ways to apply SAS.

Even though the SAS data clinic is oriented towards solving the users’ problem rather than any particular data analysis tool, the most recent clinic, hosted at LINXS in early January was primarily focused on solving users’ problems with SasView – an open source, collaboratively developed software tool for the analysis of small-angle scattering data.

– We decided to focus on SasView because we had the Contributor Camp, also hosted at LINXS, before the clinic. The core contributors to SasView, from ESS, NIST, ISIS neutron source and SciLifeLab, stayed an extra day to provide unique expertise to users from the Lund and Copenhagen area.

– What was also exceptional about this clinic was that, for the first time, we hosted industrial users, says Wojtek Potrzebowski.

Hands-on approach: a good way to help users

Professor Marie Skepö was a driving force in creating the data clinic initiative. She reflects that there is a great need for this type of hands-on approach, and that the service is very appreciated among the researchers who attend.

Marie Skepö is Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry at Lund University, and previous LINXS Vice-Director.

She says that the approach is quite ambitious, as it is often a one-to-one consultation at the clinic. Therefore, going forward, it should to be formalised so that those involved are either compensated for their time or that a pool of helpers is built up.

– I see the clinics as a good opportunity for learning, which hopefully increases the speed from measured samples to clear analysis and scientific publications, says Marie Skepö,

To make the most of the clinics, both Marie and Wojtek agree that it is important that the participants come prepared and that they share their data beforehand. It is also important to emphasize that researchers acknowledge the input from experts in any research publications using the analysed data.

Another approach to develop could be to create smaller groups with users who are at about the same level and have the same questions. They can reap benefits from learning both from each other and from the instructors.

– The best thing from an educational point of view is if you analyse as much as possible yourself, says Marie Skepö.

Future data clinics can have different themes

Marie Skepö and Wojtek Potrzebowski also note that for future clinics one could have different themes – some focusing on SAS; others on crowded solutions or macromolecules that oligomerize. If one takes this approach, it is important to offer a short introductory lecture beforehand to get everyone on the same page.

– I believe that these hands-on sessions are the way to go to broaden the user base. Many researchers have little time or lack the support and expertise to do data analysis, and our clinics offer a great opportunity for condensed learning and knowledge sharing around scientific problems, says Wojtek Potrzebowski.

More clinics are planned to take place in the spring. Each event will be publicized on LINXS website.