Love Data Week at TXST: FAQs

What is the TXST Open Datathon? 

The Open Scholarship team at Texas State University Libraries is hosting the exciting TXST Open Datathon event. This event provides participants with a unique opportunity to delve into the world of open data, data science, analytics, and problem-solving. The Open Datathon is designed to encourage hands-on experience with real-world open-access datasets, allowing participants to apply their data skills in a practical setting.

How much do I need to know about data? 

The Datathon is not only about competition but also about building a network, enhancing skills, and gaining recognition for one's analytical abilities. Whether you're a seasoned data enthusiast or just beginning to explore the possibilities of data science, the TXST Open Datathon offers a valuable and enriching experience. We will provide workshops that guide you to explore open data resources and offer a toolkit for data management best practices and open-access data analysis and visualization materials. For advanced-level students, the provided challenges will allow you to apply your skills to real-life datasets to test based on your interests. 

What is Open Data?

Open data is data that can be freely used, re-used, and redistributed by anyone - subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and sharealike. To summarize the most important:

• Availability and Access: the data must be available as a whole and at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably by downloading over the internet. The data must also be available in a convenient and modifiable form.
• Re-use and Redistribution: the data must be provided under terms that permit re-use and redistribution including the intermixing with other datasets.
• Universal Participation: everyone must be able to use, re-use and redistribute - there should be no discrimination against fields of endeavour or against persons or groups. For example, ‘non-commercial’ restrictions that would prevent ‘commercial’ use, or restrictions of use for certain purposes (e.g. only in education), are not allowed.

When and where is the event? 

We will kick off the Datathon competition on February 12th, 2024, with an opening talk and keynote at the TXST Alkek Library (RM441), San Marcos campus. Students from other campuses are welcome to join the event virtually after registration. Then, teams will have ongoing offsite competitions working on their selected challenges. Teams will be back in person on February 16 at 1 p.m. at the same location for the final poster presentation and remain until the award notification on the same day. 

What should I bring?

You are welcome to bring your own device for open data exploration and datathon-related activities. We have computer stations at Alkek Library for your use during your stay. 

Do we sign up for the Datathon event on a team basis? 

We recommend that our students work with a team of up to four people. You do not have to form a team before attending the event. We will also assign a team for you based on the topic you are interested in if needed. There will be time to find a team during the kickoff meeting. 

What kind of project or competition is done for the Datathon? 

You will need to submit a digital poster for the project you work on for the Datathon and deliver a poster presentation. There is no need to get your poster printed. We only need a digital version for submission and presentation.

How long do I prepare for the poster presentation?

About 5–10 minutes of oral presentation for your digital poster. 

Can I attend other workshop sessions of the Love Data Week if I do not participate in Datathon? 

Yes, all the workshop sessions are open to all TXST students, faculty, and staff.