In this module, we will focus on three important concepts in data ethics: Privacy, Transaction Transparency, and Anonymity. These concepts often intersect and influence each other. In this module, we will explain and describe each term and provide examples to illustrate how these concepts are applied in the field of data science. Special attention is given to de-identification for privacy protection in the module.

In this module, we will specifically discuss two important concepts: Data Validity and Algorithmic Fairness. The accuracy and bias of input data is related to data validity, which strongly influences the outcomes and fairness of algorithms. In this module, we will explore how and why inappropriate and unethical data validity can result in unfairness.

Unethical activities during research design, data collections and data analysis usually lead to societal consequences. However, even if the whole procedure about data is ethical, there may still be unintended consequences due to the development of new technology.In this module, societal consequences in data science are discussed and the code of ethics in research and environmental sciences are outlined to ethically guide potential behavior of data scientists.

This module focuses on the initial phase of a data science project, which involves obtaining data. Specifically, the module covers the following topics of data acquisition: identifying and describing data sources, sampling techniques for data collection, and the impact of sampling bias on research. Through these discussions, the module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the initial steps involved in obtaining data for a data science project.

This module is dedicated to exploring various concepts about data, such as file formats for delivery and sharing, data types for variables’ basic nature and characteristics, and data structures for data manipulation and data analysis. The concepts of data files, data types and data structures, common data types and structures in programming languages, and specifically data structures in R, are covered.