The Value of Data

Abstract

In this assignment you will be challenged to explore the multifaceted ways in which data science can create value. Additionally, you will begin to explore your interests as they relate to data science.  As a general guideline I'd imagine this entire assignment will take between 2 and 3 hours.

Finding Success Stories and Opportunities for Impact

In a Google document called ValueofData_YourName, create a list of data science success stories and opportunities for impact.  The distinction between the two is largely about whether the impact has already been realized (success story) or whether there is a generally identified place where impact could occur (opportunity for impact).  For each example, include the following information:

• 1. A high-level summary (what was the application area?, where did the data come from?, who did the work?, etc.).  This should be about 3-4 sentences.

  2. What value could / was generated and who will be / was the beneficiary.  Be specific.

You should aim for about 8-10 examples.

Strategies for Finding Material

Here are some strategies you might want to use for finding success stories and areas for impact.  This is a very small subset of the possible strategies, so don't take it as comprehensive.

• 1. Google "data science success stories" :)

  2. Search for examples of "data journalism"

1. Look for examples of data science for city planning

   1. Look for examples of data science for social good

   2. Look for examples of data science in bioengineering and bioinformatics

   3. Search on Quora for examples / applications of data science

   4. Look into collaborative filtering

   5. Look into crowd sourcing

   6. Look into dynamic pricing

   7. Look into data science grand challenges

   8. Look into computer vision applications

Synthesizing High-level Categories

Propose some high-level categories that encompass the specific examples you found.  It is up to you to decide exactly how you want to organize your taxonomy.  You could organize your taxonomy by the data source used, the techniques used, who the beneficiaries were, etc.

For each category provide the following information

• 1. The name of the category

  2. A brief description of the category (aim for 2-3 sentences)

  3. Examples of success stories or opportunities for impact that fit the category description.  These could be references to the examples in the first part of the assignment or links to other examples that you didn't write about in depth.  If you include links to additional examples, along with the link, make sure to provide a very brief description of the example.

Exploring Your Interests

Based on your research, what applications / areas of data science are you interested in?  Why are you interested?  Given what you heard about the course structure on the first day, is this an area that might be feasible to explore later in the semester?  Briefly describe why or why not.  Aim for identifying at least 3 interests.

Turning in Your Assignment

Share your Google document with me (paullundyruvolo@gmail.com).