Stata has some powerful but simple commands for managing and manipulating data. We cover the commands needed to combine data from different datasets (appending and merging) and to rearrange data from wide format to long format. We will also cover searching for duplicate records, and managing these, reordering the variables in the dataset, generating summary variables and summary datasets.

One of the commonest complaints about Stata is the difficulty of producing well-formatted results output. The output on the screen typically contains more detail than is required, and the formatting is often sub-standard. Cutting and pasting is tedious when there are many results to present and inefficient when analyses have to be repeated.

It is possible to automatically output well formatted, concise and relevant results from Stata. You can set up do files which write the results you want to the screen, or external files, in the required format. These results files can then be automatically updated each time the analysis is repeated. There are several ways to do this using either additional user-written Stata commands or with some simple programming. This course introduces both approaches.

Data cleaning, data management and the initial stages of many analyses can be repetitive and time consuming. Many of these repetitive tasks can be automated in Stata, which not only speeds up the process but also reduces the chances of making an error. We cover the use of basic programming techniques to assist you in quickly and efficiently carrying out repetitive tasks.

Aims & Objectives

By the end of the course you should be able to:

1. Generate variables that contain summaries of the data
2. Create a summary dataset using collapse
3. Navigate a dataset using _n, _N and subscripted variables
4. Rearrange a dataset using reshape
5. Combine multiple datasets using merge and append
6. Identify duplicate observations
7. Export data to a spreadsheet
8. Create tailor-made publication quality graphs
9. Understand what macros and scalars are
10. Be able to use foreach and forvalues loops
11. Understand and use if statements
12. Understand how Stata stores estimation results
13. Be able to access and use stored estimation results
14. Know how to export results using user-written commands: estout, outreg, tabout
15. Understand how Stata programs work
16. Be able to write and use a simple Stata program
17. Be able to write a do-file which exports results using file write

Methods of Assessment

None. There will be an opportunity on the last afternoon for students to practice with their own datasets. A certificate of attendance will be provided on completion of the course.

Course Fee

The fee for the course is £945 which includes instruction and refreshments, it does not include lunch, accommodation or travel. The full fee must be available by 4 June 2010.

Accommodation & Meals

Unfortunately, we are not able to arrange travel and accommodation for course participants. However, a list of local hotels and student accommodation is available from Registry .

Lunch can be purchased from the School refectory. Evening meals are not catered for at the School, but there is a large choice of restaurants and coffee shops nearby.

For the 2009 course leaflet, please click here. Please note: Prices and dates change annually.

Please return a completed application form, along with an equal opportunities form to:

Registry, LSHTM, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP, UK, Tel: +44 (0)20 7299 4648

Alternatively, by fax:

Fax: +44 (0)20 7323 0638

Or email: shortcourses@lshtm.ac.uk