17  Project Brainstorming

SETTLING IN





TODAY’S GOALS

  • Understand the expectations of the project
  • Brainstorm project ideas
  • Explore possible data sets





WHERE ARE WE?!? Starting a data project

This final, short unit will help prepare us as we launch into course projects. In order to even start these projects, we need some sense of the following:

  1. data import: how to find data, store data, load data into RStudio, and do some preliminary data checks & cleaning

  2. exploratory data analysis (EDA)





17.1 Warm-up

17.1.1 Project overview (~10 minutes)

Provided here.

17.1.2 Complete project checkpoint 1 (~10 minutes)

Checkpoint 1 is a pre-project survey. Fill out this survey to get your ideas flowing.

If you finish in under 10 minutes, then start looking for some data using the resources listed below.

17.1.3 Brainstorming rounds (~40 minutes)

We’ll do the following 4 times (10 minutes each time). This is an opportunity to get to know others in the class who might be great project teammates!

  1. Switch to a new table as specified on the screen

  2. Introduce yourself

  3. Share areas of interest that you might want to connect to this data project

17.1.4 Look for some data (~15 minutes)

Just out of curiosity, and for help in brainstorming, poke around for some data related to your brainstorming rounds.

  • Search online for specific topics (filetype:csv).

  • Peruse data repositories. Here are just a few:

  • Perhaps use data that you learned about or collected in another class, internship, etc. CAVEAT: You cannot collect your own data via a survey. This requires a lot of paperwork that isn’t feasible in our time frame.


17.1.5 Complete project checkpoint 2 (~15 minutes)

Checkpoint 2, a project interest form, is due today by midnight. Check it out now so that you can let the questions percolate. If you’re ready to fill it out, do so now. Otherwise, reflect some more and fill it out sometime after class but before the deadline.



17.1.6 Next steps

Once you’ve reviewed, and maybe even completed, Checkpoint 2, work on one of the following:

  • Any outstanding work

    • Revisions for Quiz 2

    • Homework 8 (due Thursday)

  • The project! IF you’re done with all of the above, start looking for cool data, and maybe even identify a project group. Be sure to discuss this group with me before getting too far.


NOTE:
Attendance is very, very important in our remaining class sessions. If you are not in class, you are not contributing to the group project, and this will impact assessment of your project engagement. If you cannot make a class, you must contact both me and your group (which will be assigned next class). You should plan to make up for your lack of participation during class with 1.5 hours on your own time.





17.2 Exercises

Do the Homework 8 exercises.