Introducing Data Analytics and Analytical Thinking

Overview

Data is everywhere, but turning it into insight requires more than technical skills. You'll learn about bias and its appearance in data, sharpen your analytical thinking skills, and understand how data ecosystems operate. You’ll learn to question assumptions, interpret findings by combining data and business knowledge, and understand why data-informed decisions empower businesses. By the end of this course, you will be able to: -Discuss the use of data in everyday life decisions -Explain the data analysis process, making specific reference to the ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act phases -Define key concepts involved in data analytics including data, data analysis, and data ecosystem -Explain the concept of data-driven decision-making including specific examples -Describe the key characteristics of analytical thinking -Explain how analytical thinking enables decision-making -Begin asking more effective questions

Syllabus

Transform data into insights

Data analysis follows a six-phased process that requires ongoing review and iteration to ensure quality. In this part of the course, you'll learn what data analysis is, what happens after data analysis, and why data science specialization is important.

Understand the data ecosystem

Data ecosystems bring together multiple elements—hardware, software tools, and users—to serve various purposes like data storage and production. In this part of the course, you'll learn what the data ecosystem is, and why blending data with business knowledge can be useful.

Embrace your data analyst skills

In this part of the course, you'll explore what key analytical skills are required and how to apply them in business scenarios.

Analytical thinking for effective outcomes

There are many ways to think—creative, abstract—but analytical thinking is crucial. In this part of the course, you'll learn aspects of analytical thinking, what questions data analysts ask when searching for solutions, and why data-driven approaches are more effective.