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Mat Leonard, Robert Crocker, Ben Jones, Malavica Sridhar, and Josh Bernhard

What's inside

Syllabus

In this lesson, you will learn about data types, measures of center, and the basics of statistical and mathematical notation.
In this lesson, you will learn about measures of spread, shape, and outliers as associated with quantitative data. You will also get a first look at descriptive and inferential statistics.
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In this lesson, you will learn basic spreadsheet function: sort and filter data, use text and math functions, split columns and remove duplicates.
In this lesson, you will learn how to summarize data with aggregation and conditional functions. You will learn how to use pivot tables and lookup functions.
In this lesson you will build data visualizations for quantitative and categorical data; create pie, bar, line, scatter, histogram, and boxplot charts, and build professional presentations.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers data types, measures of center, and statistical notation, which are essential concepts in data analysis
Introduces measures of spread, shape, and outliers in quantitative data, providing a foundation for understanding data distribution
Provides hands-on experience with basic spreadsheet functions, allowing learners to manipulate and organize data effectively
Teaches advanced spreadsheet functions, such as aggregation, conditional functions, pivot tables, and lookup functions, equipping learners with comprehensive data analysis skills
Covers data visualization techniques, including pie charts, bar charts, line charts, scatterplots, histograms, and boxplots, enabling learners to present data clearly and effectively

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in [Supplemental] Introduction to Data with these activities:
Review statistics concepts from previous coursework or textbooks
Refreshing your knowledge of statistics will help you recall key concepts and prepare for the more advanced topics covered in the course.
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  • Go through your notes and textbooks from previous statistics courses
  • Focus on reviewing the basics of statistical methods and terminology
Review basic algebra and graphing concepts
Refreshing your algebra and graphing skills will provide a solid foundation for understanding statistical concepts and interpreting data.
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  • Review notes or textbooks on basic algebra concepts (e.g., solving equations, inequalities, polynomials)
  • Practice graphing linear equations and understanding their properties
Follow online tutorials on statistical software (e.g., R, Python)
Gaining proficiency in statistical software will enhance your ability to perform data analysis and visualization tasks, allowing you to explore and interpret data more effectively.
Browse courses on Statistical Software
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  • Identify a reputable online platform or resource for statistical software tutorials
  • Choose a tutorial that aligns with your learning goals
  • Work through the tutorial, completing the exercises and examples provided
Five other activities
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Complete 30 questions on measures of center and spread
Completing practice questions can help reinforce the concepts related to measures of center and spread, preparing you for the more advanced topics in the course.
Browse courses on Measures of Center
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  • Access the question bank provided by the instructor or find a reliable online resource for practice questions
  • Set aside dedicated time to complete the questions
  • Review your answers and identify areas where you need further clarification
Participate in a study group focused on statistical methods
Collaborating with peers in a study group provides opportunities to discuss complex statistical concepts, clarify understanding, and enhance problem-solving skills.
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  • Find or form a study group with classmates who share similar interests
  • Establish regular meeting times and set study goals
  • Take turns presenting statistical concepts and leading discussions
Develop a visual representation of a statistical data set
Creating a visual representation of a data set will help you understand the patterns and trends within the data, enhancing your ability to analyze and interpret statistical findings.
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  • Gather and organize the data you want to visualize
  • Choose an appropriate visualization technique (e.g., bar chart, pie chart, scatterplot)
  • Create the visualization using a data visualization tool
  • Interpret the results and identify significant trends or patterns
Tutor a fellow student in basic statistical concepts
Mentoring others not only reinforces your own understanding but also deepens your knowledge and improves your ability to communicate statistical concepts clearly.
Show steps
  • Identify a student who would benefit from your help
  • Schedule regular tutoring sessions and create a study plan
  • Break down complex concepts into smaller, manageable steps
Contribute to open-source data analysis projects
Contributing to open-source projects allows you to apply your statistical skills in real-world scenarios, gain hands-on experience, and connect with a community of data enthusiasts.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify open-source data analysis projects that align with your interests
  • Review the project's documentation and contribute in areas where you can add value
  • Collaborate with other contributors and seek feedback on your contributions

Career center

Learners who complete [Supplemental] Introduction to Data will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst studies data from a variety of sources to assist in the decision-making process. They draw conclusions from the data, providing companies with insights to their operations. This course can help a Data Analyst collect data, clean it, and arrange it in a way that is easy to review. The course teaches statistical and mathematical notation, which can be helpful in understanding data and its implications.
Statistician
A Statistician collects and analyzes data to draw conclusions that can be used to make informed decisions. This course can help a Statistician learn about data types, measures of center, measures of spread, shape, and outliers as associated with quantitative data. Additionally, the course covers descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as how to build data visualizations.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist uses data to build models that can be used to make predictions and recommendations. This course can help a Data Scientist develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to build models and how to evaluate the performance of those models.
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer builds and maintains the infrastructure that is used to store and process data. This course can help a Data Engineer develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to build models and how to evaluate the performance of those models.
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer builds and deploys machine learning models. This course can help a Machine Learning Engineer develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to build models and how to evaluate the performance of those models.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst studies a company's operations to identify areas for improvement. They use data to evaluate the effectiveness of current processes and make recommendations for improvement. This course can help a Business Analyst develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to build visualizations that can help communicate insights to stakeholders.
Actuary
An Actuary analyzes financial data to assess risk. This course can help an Actuary develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to assess risk.
Epidemiologist
An Epidemiologist studies the distribution and causes of disease. This course can help an Epidemiologist develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to study the distribution and causes of disease.
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager develops and executes marketing campaigns. This course can help a Marketing Manager develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
Biostatistician
A Biostatistician uses statistical methods to solve problems in biology and medicine. This course can help a Biostatistician develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to solve problems in biology and medicine.
Data Architect
A Data Architect designs and builds data architectures. This course can help a Data Architect develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to design and build data architectures.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and deploys software applications. This course can help a Software Engineer develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to build models and how to evaluate the performance of those models.
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator manages and maintains databases. This course can help a Database Administrator develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to manage and maintain databases.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data to make investment recommendations. This course can help a Financial Analyst develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to make investment recommendations.
Product Manager
A Product Manager develops and manages software products. This course can help a Product Manager develop the skills needed to collect, clean, and analyze data. It can also teach them how to use data to make decisions about product development.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in [Supplemental] Introduction to Data.
Comprehensive textbook on deep learning, covering a wide range of topics, including neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and recurrent neural networks. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about deep learning.
Comprehensive textbook on data mining, covering a wide range of topics, including data preprocessing, clustering, classification, and association rule mining. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about data mining.
Classic textbook on statistical learning, covering a wide range of topics, including linear regression, logistic regression, regression trees, and support vector machines. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about statistical modeling.
Practical guide to data visualization, covering a wide range of topics, including data visualization techniques, design principles, and best practices. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to create effective data visualizations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of data science, including data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the field of data science or how to use data to make better business decisions.
Gentle introduction to machine learning, covering a wide range of topics, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the basics of machine learning.
Practical guide to using Python for data analysis, covering a wide range of topics, including data cleaning, analysis, and visualization. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to use Python for data analysis.
Practical guide to using R for data science, covering a wide range of topics, including data cleaning, analysis, and visualization. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to use R for data analysis.
Practical guide to using Power BI for data analysis, covering a wide range of topics, including data visualization, dashboard design, and best practices. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to use Power BI for data analysis.
Practical guide to using mathematics for machine learning, covering a wide range of topics, including linear algebra, calculus, and optimization. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the mathematical foundations of machine learning.

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