AIX0008: Introduction to Data Science: Summer 2022

Final project: term paper

Your paper is to be based on a topic associated to technology / data science and should include at least one source (paper, article). Here is a list of possible topics / papers. Please note that this list is not meant to be exhaustive: you are free to pick another topic that you like, as long as it is related to ethics and technology / data. I will not give a list of suggested topics so that you can decide what you want to talk about. Again, topics only need to be related to ethics and technology / data. Be careful not to pick a topic that is too broad. I suggest that you discuss your topic with me early on.

The paper should be about 1000 words (about 4-pages). The paper should be written with an intended audience of me and your classmates. Write something that you yourself would want to be given to read.

Your paper should be carefully written: it will be graded for writing quality. Make sure to give full references in the bibliography (eg., author, title, journal, publisher, pages, date; a URL alone is rarely a reference by itself). Include all necessary citations and footnotes. Please number all pages. Follow standard stylistic conventions (any fixed set of conventions you select). I like left-and-right justified text, but this is not an obligation. Use a pleasant-to-read font).

Think, organize, think, and organize. Write and rewrite.

An individual or team project

You will work either alone or in a team of up to two on your project (term paper + oral presentation). Larger teams will not be permitted unless you make a good case for it. Each team will submit one paper and do one presentation. All team members get the same grade.

Due dates

Deadline for turning in the final version:

Rubrics for grading term paper

The term paper will be graded over a total of 100 pts, with the following rubrics:

• Overall presentation / spelling / grammar / style / references: 30 pts
  
  

  Fits with the requirements (i.e. between 800 and 1200 words	5 pts
  Grammar /spelling (1 pt off for each error detected, until down to 0)	10 pts
  Organization / style	5 pts
  References at the end of document: at least 3, 1 of which need to be reviewed, and published in a scientific journal	10 pts

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Presentation of the technology/topic and ethical problems: 20 pts
  
  

  The technology/topic is presented clearly enough that it can be understood by a non specialist	10 pts
  The ethical questions are clearly outlined	10 pts

  
  
  
  
  
• What the "experts" say: 25 pts
  
  

  Covers range of opinions	20 pts
  Depth and breadth of research	5 pts

  
  
  
  
  
• Analysis and thesis: 25 pts
  
  

  Analysis of what the "experts" say	15 pts
  Your point of view / own voice	10 pts

  
  
  

Rubrics for grading the oral presentation

The presentation will be graded over a total of 100 pts, with the following rubrics:

• Attendance to the oral presentations 10 pts
  
  



• Overall presentation / support slides 30 pts
  
  

  Clarity and quality of the slides	10 pts
  Slides do not repeat what is said orally	10 pts
  Presentation is smooth	10 pts

  
  
  
  
  



• Presentation of the technology/topic and ethical problems: 30 pts
  
  
• Analysis and thesis: 30 pts
  
  

Presentations