CPSC 203: Introduction to computers  

James Tam

Assignment 1: Spreadsheet

Deadline: October 27 10 PM

Assignment 1 is to create a dashboard in Excel that summarizes the complex statistical data collected from students on their top five websites, their familiarity with various computer programs and operating systems, and finally listing up to three languages that they are fluent in. The goal is to visualize all the information in the spreadsheet in a meaningful way that extracts knowledge about what each component says about the students and technology in general.

The data that you are to use for this assignment: [AssignmentData.xls]

Fill in the following tabs: Introduction, Model, Data Dictionary.

  • The model tab must include a rationale for the calculated fields you create, summary statistics, and dashboard design.
  • The Data Tab: new calculated fields and new summary statistics calculations. For top marks you must create a new calculated field using either an “If” or a “Lookup” function. Make sure it is clear what is “Raw Data”, what are “Calculated Variables” and what are “Summary Calculations”.
  • The Dashboard tab: 3 charts you have designed to summarize the data with appropriate titles, legends, and annotations. Include on the Dashboard tab a section where in a few sentences you interpret each chart. Make your information dashboard as clear, concise, and informative as possible, using the principles of Information Visualization that you were taught in class in the section dealing with spreadsheets.
 

Objectives

  1. To practice good spreadsheet design principles as given in the class lectures.
  2. To introduce you to a realistic data analysis exercise using spreadsheets.
  3. To allow you to design an information dashboard summarizing a large number of fields into a few informative charts.

Steps

  1. Use the template spreadsheet: [AssignmentData.xls]
  2. Fill in the following tabs: Introduction, Model, Data Dictionary. The model tab must include a rationale for the calculated fields you create, summary statistics, and dashboard design.
  3. Add to the Data Tab: new calculated fields and new summary statistics calculations. For top marks you must create a new calculated field using either an “If” or a “Lookup” function. Make sure it is clear what is “Raw Data”, what are “Calculated Variables” and what are “Summary Calculations”.
  4. Add to the Dashboard tab: 3 charts you have designed to summarize the data with appropriate titles, legends, and annotations. Include on the Dashboard tab a section where in a few sentences you interpret each chart. Make your information dashboard as clear, concise, and informative as possible, using good visual design principles. Make one of your comparisons between data from this class and classes from previous sessions: Summer Session 2007 and Fall Session 2008 (this term's data).
     

Resources

  • CPSC 203 lecture notes: [Spreadsheets]
  • "The Non-designers design book" by Robin Williams
  • "Designing Visual Interfaces" by Mullet and Sano
  • "Information Dashboard Design" by Stephen Few
  • "Visual Display of Qualitative Information" by Edward Tufte
  • "The elements of Graphing Data" by William Cleveland
  • The original example survey form that was used to collect the data: [Assignment survey form]

Marking Guidelines

Grading: 100 Points

  1. Introduction, Model and Data Dictionary Tabs: 30 points
  2. Design and Clarity of the Data and Dashboard tabs: 30 points
  3. Accuracy of all calculations: 20 points
  4. Originality: 10 points
  5. Comprehensiveness and efficiency (designing the dashboard so it reflects as much of the raw data as possible in a few clear and informative charts): 10 points.

Marking Sheet for Assignment 1 Excel: [Marking spreadsheet]

Submission

Name the assignment file: Assign1_LastName_FirstName_StudentID.xls. Submit the assignment as described in the assignment submission specifications.

Original Work

This assignment is not a group work project and each student must submit their own work. If in doubt, check the U of C's honesty policy: http://www.ucalgary.ca/honesty/ and check with your TA. Also be aware of U of C's definitions of Plagiarism/Cheating/Other Academic Misconduct and the penalties and procedures associated with incidents of Plagiarism/Cheating/Other Academic Misconduct: http://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/2008/how/How_LB.htm. Finally here is a link some more specific guidelines pertinent to the course: [Academic misconduct]