Aims: Throughout the Big Data course, you have been introduced to a variety of problem-solving skills necessary to address the challenges of extracting useful data, information retrieval, identifying the organizational needs to employ a SQL (Relational) or NoSQL (Big data) storage etc. This assessment is designed to enable you to make the critical decision of which storage to use, that is often faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Scenario: One of the critical decisions facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) embarking on big data projects is which database to use, and often that decision swings between SQL and NoSQL. SQL has the impressive track record, the large installed base, but NoSQL is making impressive gains and has many proponents. Write a discussion paper that discusses all bases on which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should make this critical decision of choosing between SQL and NoSQL database. Note: You must consider all of the following points when researching and writing your discussion paper. Use real life related examples / scenarios and completely avoid coping and/or re-writing generic Big data definitions/concepts: Datasets types, data characteristics and data sources Data processing and storage requirements Organisation readiness and affordability Data quality requirements consequences/drawbacks of low-quality datasets Knowledge retrieval, analytics or decision support requirements Data privacy and security issues

Students will also be assessed on their ability to present their recommendations for choosing between SQL and NoSQL data storage and on explaining their choices clearly and succinctly.

Task Criteria: Discussion paper (report) Marks will be awarded according to the extent to which each student demonstrates the following (with weightings shown in brackets):

Task: Clearly demonstrate an understanding of the issues associated with making a critical decision of choosing between SQL and NoSQL data source and the implications of choice made and outcomes

Task: Demonstrate an ability to retrieve, evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources and present this information in a relevant, yet objective manner

Task:Demonstration of a clear and appropriate writing style in the report including accurate spelling, punctuation and referencing