FPM #1: Finding Data

Description

I. Review the final project instructions

Begin by reading the final project description in full so that you have a clear understanding of the goals and requirements.

II. Create a GitHub repository to house your final project work

Create a GitHub repository named eds240-infographic. This is where you’ll be doing any / all work related to your final project. Be sure to make your repository public, initialize your repository with a README, and add a .gitignore file. Update your README with any relevant information (see the MEDS README Guidelines; you’ll likely return to add more information as your project progresses).

III. Find data and brainstorm questions

This week, you’ll focus on finding data that interest you and begin brainstorming some questions that you might explore / answer using those data. Your data set(s) may be related to a past project, or even your current Capstone or GP. It may also be a completely new data set(s), unrelated to anything you’re currently working on. Some people have a goal or question(s) in mind first, which drives what data they seek out. Others choose to explore various data sources first, and build their questions around their chosen data. Keep in mind that your infographic should be designed around a clear goal. Consider checkout out these data sources if you need some inspiration on where to start (you are not limited to just these data sources).

Asking the right question is critical and also one of the most challenging steps

I highly recommend checking out the following resources before diving in:

this short Substack piece by Enrico Bertini, titled Asking the right data questions and asking the data questions right, for some great insights on the challenges and approaches to discovering and revising your data question
this TED talk titled, The Power in Effective Data Storytelling, by Malavica Sridhar (~15 min; yes, I know the audio gets a little wonky part-way through )

IV. Reflect on your data, goal, and questions

Create a GitHub issue with the title, FPM1 - finding data / initial brainstorming, and add your responses to the following questions:

1. What is your goal with these data (conisder, what might be the goal of your infographic)? This goal may evolve as you continue working through your project.
2. What questions do you hope to answer using these data (remember to read over Enrico Bertini’s article)? Jot down at least three questions that could help to illuminate your goal. It’s okay if these change later too (think of this as a starting point!).
3. Link to and describe your data set(s). Be sure to address (a) where you found these data, and (b) what variables do these data contain, including if there is sufficienct metadata for understanding them?
4. What steps are involved in downloading or accessing the data (e.g. “I can download the data directly from an online portal,” “I need to use an API,” “There’s an R package,” “I collected these data myself,” etc.)?
5. Will you need to combine multiple data sets to successfully answer your questions? If so, have you found all the necessary data? Do you have a way to combine it (e.g. matching key values across all data sets)?

V. (OPTIONAL) Begin cleaning / wrangling your data

This will be a focus of FPM #2, but if you’re excited to dive in or are looking to get ahead, you should certainly take this time to do so!

DO NOT push large data files to GitHub

Take care to not push any large data files (>2GB) to GitHub. Instead, add your data file(s) or entire data folder to your .gitignore.

Rubric (specifications)

To receive a “Satisfactory” mark for FPM #1:

Create your eds240-infographic repository, as described in Part II. At a minimum, your README should include an updated title and brief explanation of the repository’s purpose. You will update this README as you continue making progress on your project.
Answer all five questions, as described in Part IV, in your FPM1 - finding data / initial brainstorming issue. Be sure to link to (or otherwise prove the existence of) at least one data set that you plan to use for your final project. There are no strict length requirements for free-response questions, however we expect that you answer them thoughtfully and fully.
Ensure that your GitHub issue is neatly organized. Use markdown syntax, as appropriate, to organize and format your responses.
Tag your instructors (@samanthacsik & @annieradams) somewhere in your issue (at the start or end may make the most sense) – this will send us an email notification linking to your issue.
Add your repository’s URL next to your name on this Google Sheet by 11:59pm on Wed 01/21/2026.
Submit a Generative AI Statement of Use for FPM #1 by 11:59pm on Wed 01/21/2026.