Data Storytelling from Coursera

In today's data-driven world, the ability to transform complex information into compelling narratives is essential. This course equips you with the principles and techniques of storytelling, coupled with data visualization skills, to craft captivating stories that engage and influence diverse audiences.

Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, you will learn to distill intricate data into clear and concise narratives, enabling you to drive organizational impact and make informed decisions. Data storytelling bridges the gap between data analysis and human interpretation, enhancing communication, transparency, and decision-making.

Enroll in this course to unlock the transformative power of data narratives and become a proficient data storyteller.

This course welcomes everyone with a desire to unlock the power of data storytelling! Whether you're a business professional navigating the world of data analysis, a student embarking on your data journey, or a marketer looking to make your presentations soar, this beginner-friendly course lays the foundation for effective data communication.

Technical expertise? Not required! While the course doesn't teach specific visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI, it rather shares knowledge about storytelling principles that breathe life into visualizations and analyses. For those already well-versed in technical skills, this course acts as a bridge, transforming your data and charts into a captivating narrative that resonates with any audience.

For non-technical learners, this journey equips you to contribute confidently to data-driven projects and understand what goes behind impactful presentations. You'll discover how to frame your data as a compelling story, ensuring your voice is heard clearly and your insights take center stage.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Data Storytelling

Welcome to the Data Storytelling module! In this module, you will explore the relevance and potential of data storytelling in the present and future. You will delve into the uses of data storytelling today and how it can impact decision-making processes. Through engaging videos and insightful readings, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the significance of data storytelling and its critical role in effective decision-making. Get ready to unlock the potential of data and harness it to drive impactful narratives and informed choices.

Role of Data in Data Storytelling

Understanding the importance of relevant data in data storytelling, learners gain the ability to effectively identify the relevance of their data and make informed decisions. They learn to assess their data sources critically, considering factors such as credibility, accuracy, and timeliness. By aligning their data with the narrative they aim to convey, learners ensure that their storytelling is well-supported and impactful. However, if they find that their data is not relevant for the data story, learners are equipped with strategies to address this challenge. They explore alternative data sources, conduct further research, or adapt their storytelling approach to better align with the available data. Through this process, learners develop the skills to create compelling data stories that are backed by credible and pertinent information, enabling them to effectively engage and inform their audience.

Visualization and Data Storytelling

Visualization plays a vital role in data storytelling, enabling learners to effectively communicate complex information in a visually compelling manner. In this module, learners delve into various techniques and tools that empower them to transform raw data into engaging visual narratives. They gain an understanding of different visualization types, such as charts, graphs, and infographics, and learn how to select the most appropriate format to convey specific messages. Learns will develop deep understanding of common design principles that must be applied on data visualizations, use of color in data visualizations and techniques to reduce cognitive load in data visualizations. They will learn an interesting concept of adding interactivity in data visualizations through various examples and techniques. The module equips learners with the knowledge and expertise to leverage visualization as a powerful storytelling tool, enabling them to present data-driven narratives with impact and clarity.

Narrative in Data Storytelling

In this module, learners would dive into the topic of narrative and its significance in crafting compelling data-driven stories. They would explore the fundamental elements of storytelling, including plot, characters, conflict, and resolution, and understand how to apply these principles to data narratives. Learners would learn how to structure their stories effectively, creating a clear beginning, middle, and end that engage and captivate their audience. They would also delve into techniques for incorporating data seamlessly into narratives, using it as evidence to support key points and enhance the overall story. Finally, learns will understand how to tell a data story upholding the ethical standards and what would that mean in a real-life scenario. Through multiple real-life examples and applications, learners will develop a deep understanding of the role of narrative in data storytelling and how to craft a compelling narrative.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for professionals, students, and marketers at all levels, it provides a solid foundation for beginners and enhances the skills of intermediate learners

Emphasizes the ethical considerations and practices of data storytelling

Incorporates engaging videos, readings, hands-on exercises, and real-world case studies

Covers the fundamental principles of data storytelling, including narrative structure, visualization techniques, and data analysis

Taught by industry experts from Fractal Analytics, a leading data analytics company

Provides practical knowledge and skills in data storytelling, enabling learners to effectively communicate insights and make informed decisions

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 Data Storytelling with these activities:

Organize and review course notes and resources

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Keep your learning materials organized and accessible for easy retrieval and revision.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook for course materials.
File and organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Review the materials regularly to reinforce your understanding.

Review basic data analysis principles

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Refresh your understanding of descriptive statistics, data cleaning, and exploratory data analysis to prepare for this course.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Review concepts of mean, median, and mode.
Practice data cleaning techniques such as handling missing values and outliers.
Use a data visualization tool to create basic charts and graphs.

Read 'Storytelling with Data' by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

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Gain insights into the principles and techniques of effective data storytelling from a leading expert.

View Daphne Draws Data: A Storytelling with Data... on Amazon

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Read Chapters 1-3 to understand the importance and framework of data storytelling.
Analyze the case studies presented in the book to see storytelling in action.

Five other activities

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Practice creating data visualizations using Tableau or Google Data Studio

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Enhance your data visualization skills by practicing with industry-standard tools.

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Complete tutorials on the basics of Tableau or Google Data Studio.
Create visualizations for various data types, such as bar charts, line charts, and scatterplots.
Share your visualizations with others and seek feedback on their effectiveness.

Join a study group to discuss data storytelling principles

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Engage with peers to exchange insights, learn from different perspectives, and enhance your understanding of the course material.

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Find a study group or create one with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss assigned topics or course concepts.
Present your data visualizations or storytelling ideas to the group for feedback.

Create a data dashboard on a topic of your interest

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Apply the principles of data storytelling by crafting a compelling visual representation of data.

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Identify a dataset related to your interest.
Choose appropriate visualizations to present the data effectively.
Write a brief narrative explaining the insights derived from the dashboard.

Follow online tutorials on advanced data visualization techniques

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Expand your knowledge of data visualization by exploring advanced techniques and best practices.

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Identify areas where you want to improve your visualization skills.
Search for and enroll in online tutorials or courses that cover these techniques.
Practice implementing the techniques in your own data visualization projects.

Contribute to an open-source data visualization project

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Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the broader data visualization community.

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Identify an open-source data visualization project that aligns with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
Propose and implement improvements or new features.

Career center

Learners who complete Data Storytelling will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Visualization Specialist

Data Visualization Specialists are data visualization, reporting, and dashboarding experts. They are in charge of creating visual representations of data, making it more accessible and readily understandable for a non-technical audience. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it aids in developing strategies to distill complex information into clear and concise data representations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Specialist

Market Researcher

Market Researchers conduct research on target markets, customer preferences, and industry trends. This information is vital for developing marketing initiatives and strategies. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it enhances one's ability to articulate insights and recommendations based on research findings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts leverage data to identify business trends and performance metrics. Based on historical data, they work with stakeholders to create solutions that drive better business outcomes. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful in honing presentation and communication skills, enabling analysts to effectively communicate insights and persuade stakeholders toward informed decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for designing data-driven solutions. These professionals leverage their expertise in cleansing, mining, and analyzing data to assist in informed decision-making for the company. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be helpful in enhancing communication techniques when presenting findings, data analysis and visualization to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst scrutinizes data patterns, takes part in processing raw data into usable formats, and extract meaningful insights from gathered information to influence better decision-making. Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful in refining the craft of storytelling through data analysis and visualization. The Analyst role requires a strong foundation in statistical principles, data mining, machine learning, and business intelligence tools.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Marketing Analyst

Marketing Analysts use data to understand and influence the buying behavior of customers. They may also be tasked with determining the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful in fostering a better understanding of how to uncover actionable insights from raw data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Analyst

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer performs the tasks of designing, constructing, maintaining, and supervising data pipelines. Working closely with Data Scientists and Analysts, they ensure data is organized, protected, accessible, and consistent. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful in improving proficiency in presenting technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software, hardware, and other technical products. They may work for software companies, hardware manufacturers, or other businesses that produce technical products. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful in building a stronger understanding of technical concepts and the ability to communicate them clearly to non-technical audiences.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of products. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketers to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it helps one define their product vision, articulate it to stakeholders, and substantiate the vision with data.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on current events and issues. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or television and radio stations. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it strengthens the ability to distill complex information into engaging narratives that resonate with audiences.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find and access information. They may work in public libraries, school libraries, or academic libraries. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it enhances one's ability to organize and communicate information effectively.

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Teacher

Teachers instruct students in a variety of subjects, including math, science, and history. They may work in public or private schools, or in higher education. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it bolsters one's presentation and storytelling skills.

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Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice to clients on a variety of topics, including business strategy, operations, and technology. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it strengthens communication and storytelling, which is key to engaging with clients and presenting complex information effectively.

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Archivist

Archivists preserve and manage historical records. They may work in libraries, museums, or government agencies. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful as it strengthens an individual's capability to organize and communicate information effectively.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for the care and display of museum collections. They may work in art museums, history museums, or science museums. The Fractal Analytics' Data Storytelling course may be useful for refining one's ability to craft narratives around museum collections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator