ETC5512 · Wild-caught data

Overview

Open data is a raw material for the digital age but unlike coal, timber or diamonds, it can be used by anyone and everyone at the same time. This unit will equip you with the skills to find, access, process, and prepare open data for further analyses. There are many ways that data can be collected, via experiments, observation, sampling, or sensors. There are many different formats, such as csv, JSON, spatial polygons, or html tables, to learn how to read. Accessing data might be through a database query, a GUI, an API, or scraping web sites. You will also learn about ethics and privacy issues with using open data, and how effectively curate your own open data.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Understand the definitions, allowed usage, digital identification and licensing of open data
2. know about common open data sources, how they are used and effectively search for new sources
3. explain the differences between data collection methods and the limitations for data analysis
4. work with the range of different data formats of open data, including APIs
5. understand ethical constraints and privacy limits when working with open data
6. recognise the components of effective curation needed for open data.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.