INF80031 – Core task (HS 1 2020)

Core task: Data visualisation and analysis

Approximately 2500 – 3500 words

Overview

Over the past years, unprecedented amounts of data have been generated and gathered. These
data are captured through technologies like corporate systems, sensors, mobile devices and
social media. Visualizing such data for business, management, planning and predictive
purposes requires much consideration. Some of the issues that need to be addressed before
starting the core task, include:

• A clear understanding of the business problem, considering who, what and how of data
analytics and visualization?

• Considerations for the audience (i.e. stakeholders) and the relationship that you have
with the audience,

• A clearly defined project scope including in-scope and out-of-scope activities and
stakeholders,

• A discussion of the data sources, acquisition and retention strategies (i.e. Is required
data already available? Or need to be generated?),

• An understanding of the health of data (i.e. Is the available data ready to be analysed or
needs to be cleaned first? What exactly are the data issues and how those issues would
be addressed?) and

• A consideration of the visual and analysis techniques.

• In addition, you may also need to think about general project management issues, such
as scope, time, and quality management for the timely and successful completion of the
visualization project.

1
INF80031 – Core task (HS 1 2020)

Specifications and tasks

In this assignment you will find a dataset and trying to address the following in relation to your
dataset(s). Some example datasets are uploaded on Canvas. You are welcome to use any of
them. In addition, you can find your own desired dataset for this assignment. Once you have
found a dataset please consult the suitability of your data with your convenor, only.

In this assignment you will need to explore your dataset to identify problems there exist in the
business data. As part of that you will need to provide an overview of the idea that you are
trying to convey through your data analysis. You may consider the following: (i) the idea
articulates a unique point of view, (ii) the idea must convey the stakes and (iii) the idea must
be a complete sentence. Also you may consider describing the significance, audience and any
other salient parameters necessary for the project. This should lead to the identification of the
problems that the project is likely to address.

Investigation of the data sources are necessary. This provides an overview of your dataset
such as, where data is located? (If you are working on your desired dataset), how would data
be acquired? (If you are working on your desired dataset) and alignment of dataset with the
project’s objectives.

In your data analysis and exploration you will justify that there is a problem in the business.
This can be done by (i) establishing the robustness of data for your stated objectives, (ii)
identifying recency, completeness, consistency and accuracy of data, (iii) using strategies to
deal with dirty data or to supplement the current data source/s with additional data, and (iv)
performing data analysis through the introduced visualisation tool in the lab, to discuss and
back up your project objectives.

Proposed structure

• Introduction (business objectives can be discussed in here as a sub-section)

• Assumptions and motivation
• Visual exploration of dataset
• Data and visual analysis
• Conclusion and Recommendations

2
 INF80031 – Core task (HS 1 2020)
Rubric
Project Scope (10 marks) What is
included / excluded in the project?
~300 words
Business objectives (10 marks)
What are the key objectives that
the project aims to achieve along
with the discussion on their
business value? ~300 words
Data Exploration (20 marks)
How and why the data was
cleaned and prepared before the
analysis? ~600 words
Data Analytics (20 marks) What
type of analytics performed on the
data and their relevance with the
project’s scope and business
objectives? ~600 words
Conclusions (30 marks) What are
the conclusions that you draw
from the analysis? ~750 words
Written expression (10 marks)
Formal, level of details, grammar,
spelling, and punctuation used in
the written report.
Below expectations
Unsatisfactory
Student presents with
minimal evidence of required
skills
The project scope is either too
narrow (doesn’t justify a group’s
final project of 4+ students) or
too broad to be addressed
effectively within the allocated
time and resources.
Response does not address or
partially addresses the business
objectives. Response is brief and
lacks development. Contains
little evidence that the students
have identified and clearly
presented the business objectives
of the project.
The dataset used for analytics
and visualizations has significant
weaknesses such as missing,
duplicate, inconsistent and
irrelevant data. Overall, the
dataset used is not fit‐for
purpose.
Data analytics techniques
demonstrated in the project are
irrelevant and does not
contribute towards achieving the
business objectives stated earlier
in the project
The conclusions are incoherent,
insufficient or misleading in
relation to the stated business
objectives.
Insufficient, incomplete and
irrelevant contents. It is hard to
know what the writer is trying to
express. Writing is convoluted.
Misspelled words, incorrect
grammar, and improper
punctuation are evident.
Meeting expectations
Pass / Credit
Student presents with a majo
rity of the required skills
The activities included in the
project are adequate for the
size, time and resources
available to the project.
Response is adequate. But
could be developed further.
Demonstrates that the
students have identified some
of the business objectives of
the project.
There are some efforts made
to clean data but data still
presents with considerable
issues. There is insufficient
and insignificant justification
on the data preparation
strategies.
Adequate data analytics
techniques demonstrated in
the project.
The conclusions are
coherent, but not convincing
to address the stated business
objectives.
Writing is generally clear,
but unnecessary words are
occasionally used. Few
spelling, grammar, or
punctuation errors are made.
Majority of the key contents
included in the report.
Exceeds expectations
Distinction / High Distinction
Student presents above and
beyond the required skills
Well thought and well justified
scope of the project. There is good
justification of in‐scope and out‐
of-scope activities
Well-developed response.
Goes beyond what is required in
some meaningful way. Very clear
understanding of business
objectives.
The data is cleaned and fit‐for-
purpose and includes good
justification of the selected data
preparation strategies
Excellent data analytics
techniques demonstrated in the
project that contributed
significantly in achieving the
business objectives of the project.
The conclusions are convincing,
sufficient and adequate to address
the stated business objectives.
Writing is crisp, clear, and
succinct. Choice of language
enhances effectiveness of the
document. Ideas are supported
with evidence. No spelling,
grammar, or punctuation errors are
made. All the key components of
the project are included in the
report.