Blog 04

Guidelines

In this blog post, you'll be producing a dataset that you've gathered for when we do some Data Mapping in a few weeks. This post will be a bit different than your previous blog posts in that its primary function is to showcase the dataset you produced. Here is what your post needs to include:

  • A link to your dataset:
    1. Add your dataset to the Blog 04 Dataset Folder on Box. Make sure it is SAVED AS A .CSV. Please saves as YOURLASTNAME_DESCRIPTION (e.g. Wieck_hospitals.csv).
    2. Your data set needs to include at least 50 items (remember more items will give you more to work with in your map you will make!) drawn from one of the SF phonebooks. Remember the 1907 phonebook is the one we started working with in class.
    3. Each item needs a name of business, an address, and GPS coordinates included (at minimum). If you have addresses from different phonebooks, or addresses from different categories, you should also include a field that dessignates these features. See for information of gathering, cleaning, and formatting data.
    4. To get a link to share from box, upload your file, click "Share", and copy/paste the link provided. (sharing permissions should be set to anyone with link can view.)

  • A short text piece (Word Count: 250-400 words) that addresses the following (in any order that makes sense to you):
    1. The topic of this dataset -- how did you choose the data you selected? What do you hope it will show? What types of questions might it answer?
    2. Possibilities for visualization -- What type of map/s do you think would maximize its possibilities for visualization and/or exploring questions you'd liked answered?
    3. Shortcomings / Inadequacies of Dataset: Are there any potential shortcomings or inadequacies you might find in this dataset? (e.g. not enough data; data lacking information or certain fields; data that could not be geolocated, etc.)
    4. Workflow -- Provide a short description of your process in creating this dataset. How did you decide what data to gather? How did you gather it? (You don't need to give me a detailed step-by-step like in our tutorials, but rather a brief summary of the actions you took)
    5. Bibliography/Citations: Be sure to cite the sources of your dataset.
    6. References: (If needed) Use inline references (Author date, page number) (e.g. Johnson 2000, 208). Include a bibliography of sources at the end using the Chicago Manual of Style.

      7. .

  • Due by 11:59PM on Friday 9/23.

Audience

Write for a public audience that includes your peers

Goals

  • To increase your proficiency and comfort at analyzing primary sources and practicing using the digital tools we learn about in class
  • To engage with the public, including your peers, in offering thoughtful responses to historical materials
  • To gain experience and comfort in blogging and digital communication
  • To provide regular opportunities for synthesis, writing, and historical analysis in the classroom.

    • Grading

    Blog posts will be graded on a 15-point scale.
    Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations Needs improvement
    Writing / Content / Ideas (5 Points) Your post has a “critical edge,” meaning that you pay attention to complexity, contradictions, and nuance. You challenge taken-for-granted assumptions, shed new light on old topics, and/or explore alternative viewpoints. You include specific, detailed examples, and approach the topic from an interesting or exciting viewpoint. Your post notes some complexity, contradictions, and nuance, but could move to the next level by challenging taken-for-granted assumptions, shedding new light on old topics, or exploring alternative viewpoints. You include examples but they may be lacking in appropriate detail. Your post lacks attention to complexity, contradictions, and nuance, and instead focuses on a single perspective and/or generalizations. To improve in this area, seek a more innovative viewpoint. Your post may also be lacking in detailed examples.
    Professionalism (5 points) Your post follows the basic rules for clear writing. Your post is thoroughly proofread, and is well-written in an appropriately professional tone. You include proper citations as needed. Your post meets all requirements (length, number of sources, etc.). Your post generally follows the basic rules for clear writing and is generally well-written, but it has a few proofreading errors and/or is missing citations. The tone is appropriately professional. Your post meets all or most requirements (length, number of sources, etc.). Your post would be stronger if you invested more time in proofreading and revisions. You may also be missing citations or be writing in too informal of a tone. Your post may not have met all of the requirements (length, number of sources, etc.).
    Skill Practice (5 Pts) Includes a dataset that includes all the necessary components. You paid attention to detail in your dataset, cleaning up errors, properly separating the values, using the proper .csv format, and geocoded. Includes dataset with necessary components, but may have small formatting, proofreading, or other minor errors. Includes incomplete dataset and/or little attention paid to details within and/or many formatting/proofreading errors and/or dataset missing or improperly linked.