Data Science: How to Plan Projects, Research and Reflect

Overview

This course guides you through the key steps involved in planning and delivering a successful data science project. You will learn how to define your project aims, build a clear project plan, and select methods that support strong, evidence-based work. The course also introduces core academic skills, including how to research a topic, complete a literature review, and evaluate information critically. Reflection is a central part of the process, and you will learn how to reflect on your decisions and communicate your findings with clarity and confidence. Through practical activities and real examples, you will build the skills needed to approach data science projects in a structured and thoughtful way. By the end of the course, you will be ready to plan, research and reflect effectively on your own data science work.

Syllabus

Week 1: Reflective writing and project planning

In this short course, you will learn to communicate the key concepts, skills and attitudes for developing a proposal to deliver data science project work, which can then be applied in the workplace.

Week 2: Literature searches, critiquing papers and academic reading

This week is delivered in collaboration with Skills@Library and examines how to conduct an efficient literature search, keep accurate records, critique the available published literature and consolidate this information into a viable research proposal.