Resources#
Examples#
These examples are more on-par with average passing tasks. Use them as guidelines (every project is different) for what evaluators accept in fulfillment of the requirements.
This example uses a test for difference between means (two sample z-test) as its analytical method.
Task 1: Topic approval form example
Task 2: Project proposal example
Task 3: Project conculsion example
This example uses a test for correlation as its analytical method.
Task 1: Topic approval form example
Task 2: Project proposal example
Task 3: Project conculsion example
This example uses a model as its analytical method.
Task 1: Topic approval form example
Task 2: Project proposal example
Task 3: Project conculsion example
This example uses a statistical test and a model as its analytical methods.
Task 1: Topic approval form example
Task 2: Project proposal example
Task 3: Project conculsion example
This example uses a machine learning model as its analytical methods.
Task 1: Topic approval form example
Task 2: Project proposal example
Task 3: Project conculsion example
Tip
If you see Unable to render code block when attempting to view the examples, open the link using Firefox or download and view it with your favorite viewer.
Excellence Archive#
The Capstone Excellence Archive includes a wide range of completed projects. When reviewing archived capstones, keep in mind that they all are, by definition, above and beyond the requirements. Therefore, do not use these as examples of what’s needed to meet the requirements. For a more down-to-earth example of what’s required, see the above Examples section.
Task 1 Resources#
Data#
Any open source data set is freely available for use. The IRB policy only applies to data collected by you.
Simulated data
Python library built-in datasets:
sklearn’s data sets (these can be imported directly into your code)
Topic Approval Form Template#
Waiver Form#
Overview Video#
Note
🚧 Video in development.👷🏽♀️
Task 1 Examples#
See the Examples and Excellence Archive sections.
Task 2 Resources#
Task 2 Template#
Write your proposal following Task 2: The Proposal template:
Task 2 Examples#
See the Examples and Excellence Archive sections.
Task 2 Videos#
Note
🚧 Video in development.👷🏽♀️
Data Analysis#
Inferential statistical methods and testing for statistical significance are covered in C749 Intro to Data Analysis & Practical Statistics.
For a brief overview of statistical significance, listen to C964/D195 Statistical Significance in the WGU IT Audio series.
Though it’s for the computer science capstone which has different requirements, examples of data processing, graphing, and model development (not statistical significance) can be found here:
Task 3#
Task 3 Template#
Task 3 Examples#
See the Examples and Excellence Archive sections.
Video#
Note
🚧 Video in development.👷🏽♀️
Grammar, Sources, and APA#
Grammarly.com#
Check your grammar using Grammarly.com 
(it’s what the evaluators use). Style is not assessed (Grammarly marks these in blue, green, or purple), but even a few grammar errors (marked in red) will prevent competency in Professional Communication. The free side has been sufficient, but if using the online app, you sometimes need to wait before mistakes are caught.
Warning
Students have reported missed mistakes when using the Google doc Grammarly extension. Therefore, we advise copying content directly into the app or purchasing the premium version compatible with MS Word.
Get the best writing help from the writing experts: WGU Writing Center. While Writing Center Instructors cannot say whether a task will pass, they can help you revise your paper to meet WGU competency standards for professional communication, sources, and APA formatting. The Writing Center also offers live Q & A sessions covering a variety of topics which include general writing and grammar help. See a list of upcoming events here: Writing Center Live Events
Sources and APA formatting#
Sources and format should follow APA guidelines. Avoid reference errors by using the MS Word Reference Tool to create and manage references and review this guide on how to Avoid Common APA errors.
Get the best writing help from the writing experts: WGU Writing Center. While Writing Center Instructors cannot say whether a task will pass (no one but your specific evaluator can), they will help you revise your paper to meet WGU competency standards for professional communication, sources, and APA formatting. The Writing Center also offers live Q&A sessions covering a variety of topics including APA citations and formatting. See a list of upcoming events here: Writing Center Live Events.
General Resources#
Student Resources#
WGU Math Center. The Math Center is \(e^{2\pi i}\)!
Webinars and Cohorts#
Open Office Hours with Dr. Ashe (D195/D502)
Please join this “come and go” session for all data analytics capstone-related questions.
Webinar Recordings#
Writing Center Live Events#
The Writing Center offers live Q&A sessions covering a variety of topics such as citing sources with APA, avoiding plagiarism, hacks, strategies, tools, etc. Session dates and topics are updated monthly. See a list of upcoming events here: Writing Center Live Events
Libraries#
Tip
You can search WGU’s library and other open-source libraries using google.scholar.com Go to >’Google.scholar>setting>libraires>’ and then add WGU and other libraries.
Welcome email#
We’ve tried to provide everything you need here on this website as a more complete and readily available resource than the “welcome email,” i.e., the non-automated introductory email from your assigned course instructor containing the tips and resources needed to get started in the right direction. However, we often get asked for the email, and I suppose this website would be incomplete without it. So here is an example of a “welcome email.”
A Welcome Email
Welcome to D195! Please review our D195 website to get almost everything you need. The capstone can be very similar to a combination of tasks 1 and 2 from the Intro to Data Analysis& Practical Statistics (Udacity Data Analyst nanodegree part 1/5) course you passed in fullfilment of the C749 -Intro to Data Science course. Additionally, review these [task 1, task 2, and task 3 examples](resources: examples). Your first step is choosing a topic.
Review the Proposal (task 2) and Conclusion Report(task 3) rubric requirements found on your D195 COS page, particularly C of task 2 and F of task 3; review the [task 1, task 2, and task 3 examples](resources: examples). Consider an argument supportable using a statistical significance; listen to C964/D195 Statistical Significance in the WGU IT Audio series.
Choose your dataset first; avoid proposing a project for which you do not yet have data, and avoid choosing a dataset before understanding the Task 2 and 3 requirements. A popular place for datasets is kaggle.com. You will need to make an argument supporting a hypothesis using appropriate data analytic methods; consider an idea supportable with hypothesis testing, e.g., claims about correlations, means, proportions, etc., as using statistical significance best fits the requirements.
Explore your data before settling on a topic. It is also advisable to complete your data analysis before completing the Proposal (task 2) as you won’t need to anticipate results. Furthermore, completing task 3 and aligning it to task 2 will be easier.
Compose your Topic Approval Form using the D195 Topic Approval Form and send it to your assigned course instructor. If more information is needed, I’ll let you know. Use this task 1 example as a guide to the expected detail. 5.Submit the Topic Approval Form (signed by your assigned instruictor).
Let us know if you have any questions. Emails are best (and fastest) for specific questions -appointments for general discussions. Though whatever your preference is fine.
Pacing Guide#
Warning
Be aware that task 2 and 3 evaluations often take the full three days. Therefore, if you are approaching the end of your term, don’t wait on task 2 to start task 3 and submit task 3 early enough to have it returned, revised, and resubmitted.