Course content
SAS is an integrated system of software products. It is an ideal statistical software product for use with administrative data because of its efficiencies in handling large databases and its range of capabilities. Within SAS, users can view and manipulate data, and perform simple to complex statistical procedures.
This course provides an introduction to SAS for individuals working with administrative data.
Topics covered include:
- Introduction to the SAS windows environment
- Viewing SAS data
- Basic data manipulation
- Debugging SAS programs
- Intermediate SAS statistical procedures
- Variable attributes and display in output
- Intermediate data manipulation
- Combining SAS data sets
- Advanced SAS statistical procedures
- Getting data into and out of SAS
Course format
Course delivery includes voiceover Power Point information with associated reference guides, web links and the opportunity to practice SAS procedures using a training data set accessed through Population Data BC's Remote Training Lab (RTL).
Training time
The self-paced course is divided into 10 modules. Following completion of these modules, you can practice using SAS software with the training data set in the RTL. There are no set exercises, instead you are encouraged to practice the specific activities outlined in the SAS modules you have just reviewed.
Each module can be reviewed in approximately 15 to 25 minutes with a total training time of approximately 2 ½ hours. Additional practice time using SAS software and the training data set within the Remote Training Lab is open to your individual needs. There are no set exercises, instead you are encouraged to practice the specific activities outlined in the SAS modules you have just reviewed.
You may wish to complete the modules all together or as separate training sessions over a period of several days or weeks to best fit your schedule or learning preferences.
Access fee
Access to this guide is free. Go to: my.popdata.bc.ca and, if you do not already have a my.popdata account you will need to sign up and create one.
Once you have a my.popdata account, go to the Education & Training section of the my.popdata site at https://training.popdata.bc.ca/. You can then login in with your PopData account username and passphrase and self-enroll to access the guide/course.
Course presenter
Sandra Peterson is a Research Analyst at the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, UBC. Sandra has been a SAS user for over 15 years, working mainly with administrative data.
