Module 2: What is this thing we call data?

Sections

• Finding and cleaning data
• Making and extracting data

Portfolio checklist

Here’s a summary of all the tasks and activities you should have added to your portfolio as you worked through this module:

• Big data / small data: Read the resources linked above and reflect on the changing meaning, scale, opportunities, and challenges of data in the cultural heritage sector. Write a job advertisement (minimum of 250 words) for a Big Historical Data Analyst describing the position’s aims, responsibilities and required skills.

• WTFCSV: Add the answers to the questions above to your portfolio.

• Understanding APIs: Copy the API query (the url in the query box) into your portfolio.

• Cleaning with Open Refine: Once you’ve finished the tutorial export your cleaned-up dataset as a CSV file (see section 10) and attach it as an appendix to your portfolio.

• Finding faces: Save the screenshot of your successfully detected face in your portfolio.

• Issues and dangers: Based on the readings and example above I’d like you to reflect (minimum 500 words, not including Harvard style references) on the sorts of data these technologies generate, and how they might be used. Are you excited or concerned? Clearing there are interesting possibilities, but how do we take advantage of them while remaining wary of their assumptions?