Analyze Data to Answer Questions from Coursera

This is the fifth course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. In this course, you’ll explore what it means to actually analyze your data. You’ll take what you’ve learned up to this point and apply it to make sense of the data you’ve collected. You’ll learn how to organize and format your data using spreadsheets and SQL to help you look at and think about your data in different ways. You’ll also find out how to perform complex calculations with your data to address business objectives. You’ll learn how to use formulas, functions, and SQL queries as you conduct your analysis. Current Google data analysts will continue to instruct and provide you with hands-on ways to accomplish common data analyst tasks with the best tools and resources.

Learners who complete this certificate program will be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as data analysts. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this course, learners will:

- Learn how to organize data for analysis.

- Understand the processes for formatting and adjusting data.

- Explore how to aggregate data in spreadsheets and by using SQL.

- Use formulas and functions in spreadsheets to make data calculations.

- Learn how to complete calculations using SQL queries.

What's inside

Syllabus

Organize data for more effective analysis

Organizing data makes the data easier to use in your analysis. In this part of the course, you’ll learn the importance of organizing your data through sorting and filtering. You’ll explore these processes in both spreadsheets and SQL as you continue to prepare your data.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills and knowledge that are highly relevant to industry

Taught by Google Career Certificates, who are recognized for their work in data analytics

Develops core skills for data analysis

Provides instruction from current Google data analysts

Builds on prior learning in the Google Data Analytics Certificate

May require additional resources to complete calculations, such as a calculator or spreadsheet software

Reviews summary

Practical data analysis with spreadsheets & sql

According to students, this course offers a largely positive experience, particularly for those new to the field. Learners praise the practical, hands-on activities using spreadsheets and SQL, which are deemed invaluable for applying concepts immediately. The instructors are frequently highlighted for their clear explanations, making complex topics accessible. While many find it an excellent foundation for a data analyst career and appreciate its beginner-friendly approach, some learners with prior experience note that the pacing can be slow and the SQL content a bit basic, suggesting a need for additional resources for advanced mastery.

Provides a strong introduction to SQL queries and data manipulation.

"The SQL part was a bit basic, and I felt I needed more practice beyond what was provided. It's a great starting point, though."

"The way they broke down complex topics like SQL queries into manageable chunks was brilliant. The practice activities really reinforced learning."

"I learned a lot about data organization and basic SQL. The hands-on exercises were key to understanding."

Highly accessible for those with no prior data analysis experience.

"Highly recommend for beginners! ... for someone like me who was completely new to SQL."

"It's truly designed for people with no prior experience. I'm now much more confident in my data analysis skills, ready to move on."

"This course demystified data analysis for me. As a total beginner, I found it incredibly accessible."

Emphasizes hands-on learning with real-world scenarios.

"This course was a fantastic deep dive into data analysis with spreadsheets and SQL. I loved how practical the exercises were."

"The hands-on labs were very helpful for applying what I learned immediately. I feel much more confident in organizing and manipulating data now."

"The balance between theory and practical application using SQL and spreadsheets was perfect. The course truly prepares you for real-world scenarios."

Occasional unclear instructions in quizzes or exercises.

"Sometimes the quiz questions seemed oddly worded or didn't quite match the video content perfectly."

"My only minor gripe is that sometimes the instructions for exercises weren't perfectly clear, leading to some frustration."

Community forum activity can be inconsistent, impacting help.

"My main feedback would be that the community forum was not always active, which made getting help on tricky parts a bit slow."

May feel slow or repetitive for those with existing data skills.

"For someone with some prior experience, it might feel a bit slow-paced. I hoped for more challenging exercises."

"I was a bit disappointed with this course. I have some basic Excel knowledge, and I found the spreadsheet modules to be incredibly tedious and repetitive."

"It's a foundational course, good for true beginners, but if you have any experience, you'll find it slow. SQL introduction is decent but limited."

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 Analyze Data to Answer Questions with these activities:

Organize course materials

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Prepare for success by getting organized

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Gather all course materials, such as notes, slides, and assignments
Make copies of materials for studying
Create a system for organizing and tracking materials

Work practice problems on data analysis

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Build a strong foundation in data analysis by practicing with problems

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Find online or textbook practice problems
Solve as many problems as possible
Review your answers and learn from your mistakes

Review data analysis concepts through tutorials

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Reinforce your understanding by going over concepts with tutorials

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Find tutorials on data analysis topics
Watch or read the tutorials
Take notes on the key concepts
Practice applying the concepts

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Analyze a dataset as a project

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Apply your skills to a real-world dataset to deepen your understanding

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Choose a dataset
Explore the dataset and identify trends
Create visualizations to represent your findings
Write a report summarizing your analysis

Volunteer at a data-driven organization

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Gain practical experience and contribute to a meaningful cause

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Find a data-driven organization to volunteer with
Offer your skills and support
Learn from the organization's data analysis experts

Mentor junior data analysts

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Enhance your understanding by teaching and guiding others

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Find opportunities to mentor junior data analysts
Share your knowledge and expertise
Provide guidance and support

Contribute to open-source data analysis projects

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Gain experience and refine skills by contributing to real-world projects

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Find open-source data analysis projects
Identify ways to contribute
Make your contributions

Career center

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

Data Analyst

Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to organize, format, and aggregate data from spreadsheets and SQL to help you look at and think about your data in different ways. Further, this course will help build a foundation for using formulas, functions, and SQL queries to conduct analysis. These are all skills that are required for a Data Analyst, who needs to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst helps businesses understand their data and how it can be used to improve their operations. To do this, Business Analysts need to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to do all of these things, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve real-world problems. To do this, they need to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to do all of these things, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Data Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Statistician

Statisticians use data to make inferences about the world. To do this, they need to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to do all of these things, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Statistician.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers use data to understand consumer behavior. To do this, they need to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to do all of these things, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Market Researcher.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use data to make investment decisions. To do this, they need to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to do all of these things, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Financial Analyst.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use data to improve the efficiency of business operations. To do this, they need to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to do all of these things, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become an Operations Research Analyst.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers build and maintain the infrastructure that is used to store and process data. To do this, they need to be able to understand the different types of data and how it can be used. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners about the different types of data and how it can be used, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Data Engineer.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators maintain the databases that are used to store data. To do this, they need to be able to understand the different types of data and how it can be used. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners about the different types of data and how it can be used, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Database Administrator.

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Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect the data that is stored and processed by businesses. To do this, they need to be able to understand the different types of data and how it can be used. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners about the different types of data and how it can be used, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become an Information Security Analyst.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design and develop software applications. To do this, they need to be able to understand the different types of data and how it can be used. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners about the different types of data and how it can be used, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Software Engineer.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. To do this, they need to be able to understand the different types of data and how it can be used. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners about the different types of data and how it can be used, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Web Developer.

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Data Architect

Data Architects design and build the data infrastructure that is used by businesses. To do this, they need to be able to understand the different types of data and how it can be used. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners about the different types of data and how it can be used, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Data Architect.

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Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design and develop machine learning models. To do this, they need to be able to understand the different types of data and how it can be used. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners about the different types of data and how it can be used, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Machine Learning Engineer.

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Data Journalist

Data Journalists use data to tell stories. To do this, they need to be able to collect, clean, and interpret data. Analyze Data to Answer Questions teaches learners how to do all of these things, making it a great course for anyone who wants to become a Data Journalist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Journalist