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.

Format and adjust data

As you move closer to analyzing your data, you’ll want to have it formatted and ready to go. In this part of the course, you’ll learn all about converting and formatting data, including how SQL queries can help you combine data. You’ll also find out the value of feedback and support from your colleagues and how it can lead to learnings that you can apply to your work.

Aggregate data for analysis

As part of your analysis, you’ll often have to combine data in order to gain insights and complete business objectives. In this part of the course, you’ll explore the functions, procedures, and syntax involved in combining, or aggregating, data. You’ll learn how to do this from multiple cells in spreadsheets and from multiple database tables using SQL queries.

Perform data calculations

Calculations are a common task for data analysts. In this part of the course, you’ll explore formulas, functions, and pivot tables in spreadsheets and queries in SQL, all of which will help with your calculations. You’ll also learn about the benefits of using SQL to manage temporary tables.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

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

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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

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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.

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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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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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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

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

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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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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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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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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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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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.

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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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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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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer