Project Proposal

Overview

The proposal is your project plan. It tells us what question you will answer, what data you will use, and how you will get from raw data to results. We use it to catch scope problems early, before you invest weeks of work.

Your plan will change as you go. That is expected. You will document and justify changes at the midterm and final submissions.

You will submit one ZIP file containing two files:

  1. A PDF proposal file: 3-4 pages total
  2. A 3-minute lightning talk video with 2-3 slides

Both are described below, followed by the rubrics we grade with (the rubric is subject to change)

Part 1: Written Proposal (PDF, 3-4 pages total, excluding the title page)

Title page

  • Project title: clear and descriptive.
  • Group name: if you have one.
  • Team members: full names of all contributors.
  • Date: submission date.
  • MTC project number: only if you are applying to the MTC-Mentored Project Track (see the section below).

Proposal Components (3-4 pages; PDF)

1. Research Question

  • Clearly define the problem, scope, geographic region, target population, time frame, and intended outcome.
  • Keep it quantifiable and bounded (e.g., manageable geographic area, defined time window).

2. Data Description

  • List datasets and why each is relevant.
  • Describe your data following the standard discussed in class: Coverage, Granularity, Type, Format, Source.

3. Methods & Techniques

  • Name the method you plan to use, describe how you will validate your results, and explain how visualization will help you communicate your findings.

4. Timeline & Milestones

  • Key steps and milestones up to completion (bulleted, 5–7 lines max). This is your initial plan, and it can (and often will) change.

5. Potential Challenges & Mitigation Plan

  • Note study limitations, technical/ethical concerns, and a brief mitigation plan.

Part 2: Lightning Talk Video (3 minutes per team)

  • 2-3 slides covering the motivation, problem, approach, and expected outputs.
  • Tell us why this matters and what you plan to achieve.
  • The slides must match the written proposal: same question, geography, datasets, and methods.
  • Keep slides visual and legible: minimal text, appropriate maps, charts, or figures. Do not paste proposal paragraphs onto slides.
  • Submit the video only; the slides do not need to be a separate file.

Optional: MTC-Mentored Project Track

You may choose to submit a proposal to the MTC-Mentored Project Track using one of the topics listed in the MTC slides.

This is optional. If you choose this track, your proposal must follow the same format, requirements, and grading rubric as the standard proposal.

Everyone does the same assignment. Same PDF, same video, same rubric, same graders. The MTC-Mentored Project Track changes only two things:

  1. Add the MTC project number to your title page.
  2. Submit through the MTC-Mentored Proposal link instead of the regular one.

Submit to one link only, never both.

  • No extra credit for selected teams. Selection does not affect grading.
  • Selection is made by the MTC team at their discretion, based on fit and feasibility.
  • If selected, your final project adopts the MTC topic and is assessed using our course criteria, the same as all other teams.
  • Additional requirement: include the MTC project number from the MTC slides on your title page.

Rubrics (Subject to Change)

Written Proposal (6.0 pts)

Criterion Full Credit Partial Credit No Credit Pts
1. Research Question Clear, quantifiable, and bounded: specifies problem, scope, geography, population, time frame, and intended outcome. Missing 1-2 elements (e.g., vague time or geography) or not fully quantifiable. Vague or unbounded; lacks key elements. 1
2. Data Description Lists datasets and explains relevance; follows the course standard for Coverage, Granularity, Type, Format, and Source; includes links and licenses. Lists datasets with minimal relevance notes; partially meets the standard. Datasets vague, missing, or non-credible. 1
3. Methods & Techniques Methods match the question; names core transforms (e.g., buffer, join, aggregate, rates); includes validation checks; no unnecessary complexity. Method generally aligned but contains gaps or unnecessary tools. Method does not address the question or is absent. 3
4. Timeline & Milestones 5-7 bulleted steps with owners and dates; feasible sequencing to final. Present but missing owners, dates, or realistic pacing. Absent or not actionable. 0.5
5. Potential Challenges & Mitigation Notes technical/ethical limits, proposes specific and feasible mitigations, and comments on validity impact. Mentions risks but mitigation vague or generic. No risks or mitigation discussed. 0.5
      Written subtotal 6.0

Lightning Talk (4.0 pts)

Criterion Full Credit Partial Credit No Credit Pts
A. Clarity & Focus 2-3 slides; presents a clear and focused story covering the problem, approach, and expected outputs; within 3 minutes. Minor over-time or cluttered slides; key points still understandable. Unclear, meanders, or over 3:30. 1.5
B. Alignment with Proposal Slides accurately reflect the written plan, including the same question, geography, datasets, and methods. Mostly aligned; small inconsistencies. Major mismatches or contradictions. 1
C. Why It Matters Clearly communicates the relevance of the project and its intended outcome or use. Mentions importance but is not specific. No rationale presented. 0.5
D. Visual Communication Slides are legible, use minimal text, and use appropriate maps, charts, figures, or other visuals. Busy slides or small text but still readable. Illegible or inappropriate visuals. 1
      Talk subtotal 4.0

Submission

There are two submission links. Pick one. Never submit to both.

The requirements are the same either way: same deliverables, same rubric, same graders. The link just tells us whether you want to be considered for the MTC-Mentored Project Track.

Submit one ZIP file containing:

  1. One PDF: Group_<group_number>_proposal.pdf
  2. One video: Group_<group_number>_lightningTalk.<format> (any video format)

File name for main track: Group_<group_number>_Tack<AorB>_proposal.zip

File name for MTC track: Group_<group_number>_Tack<AorB>_MTC_proposal.zip

Check your group number in CP101-F26- FP Groups.

Extension tokens: if you are using one, add a comment to your submission saying so.