FDSA Information for Researchers

Get access to remote datasets for analysis. 

Powerful Remote Data Analysis  

Users of AD Workbench can discover remote datasets, request access, and work in a free, trusted digital research environment called AD Workspace. In AD Workspace, researchers can easily set up virtual machines, work with Jupyter notebooks, R Studio, and use Query Builder to retrieve distributed and federated datasets shared by data contributors using the federated data sharing appliance (FDSA). 

How It Works

Researchers find datasets they are interested in in the AD Workbench FAIR Catalog and request access. Once they have access, they use the Query Builder to conduct remote analyses. Once approved, the results of that query are transferred into an airlocked Workspace on AD Workbench for further analysis. 

Key Features and Functionality

Query Builder is engineered to seamlessly connect with remote data sources via the FDSA URL. Once a researcher logs into the Query Builder, they can link to the remote data repositories that have been approved for their access, eliminating the need for complex configurations. 

Query Builder’s user-friendly interface caters specifically to researchers’ workflows. Whether you are an experienced data scientist or new to remote querying, the intuitive design of Query Builder is easy to navigate. 

Researchers make Data Access Requests for their research, ensuring that remote queries are aligned with the specific datasets and permissions granted for that project. This enables the efficient tracking of queries and a structured approach to data analysis.

Researchers submit models and queries directly through Query Builder. This tool supports various query types, from simple SQL queries to more complex analytical models. 

Query Builder efficiently retrieves the expected data results from remote sources, even if those sources are spread across different geographical locations.

How to Get Started 

To begin using Query Builder, log in to AD Workspace, connect to a Virtual Machine, and access FDSA using the Query Builder URL. Select your approved project, and you can start submitting models and queries.

Resources

For more detailed instructions on using the Query Builder, including tutorials and best practices, please visit the "Resources" section. 

ResourcesLogin to the Workbench

Contact and Support

For support and more information, email fdsa.support@alzheimersdata.org


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