Introduction to Data Analytics

IBM via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-to-data-analytics

Introduction

### Course Review: Introduction to Data Analytics on Coursera Are you eager to kickstart a career in data analysis but unsure where to start? Look no further than the **"Introduction to Data Analytics"** course on Coursera. This course provides an ideal springboard for those looking to delve into the world of data analysis, covering everything from the foundational concepts to practical applications in the field. #### Course Overview The **Introduction to Data Analytics** course is designed for anyone—whether you’re a beginner or have some basic familiarity with data analysis—who wants to understand the essential skills and responsibilities of a data analyst. The course breaks down the various roles within data analytics and associates them with real-world practices. You'll hear from data experts who share valuable insights and tips to help you navigate your future career in this expanding field. #### Syllabus Highlights 1. **What is Data Analytics?** - The journey begins with an exploration of the different types of data analysis and the steps within the data analysis process. You’ll learn about the modern data ecosystem and the critical roles played by Data Analysts, Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Business Analysts, and Business Intelligence Analysts. This module effectively sets the groundwork, allowing you to understand what a typical day looks like for Data Analysts. 2. **The Data Ecosystem** - This module dives deeper into data structures, file formats, and everyday tools utilized by data professionals. You'll explore various data repositories—such as databases and data lakes—and grasp the Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) process. Additionally, you will gain an introductory understanding of Big Data and its processing tools like Hadoop and Spark, which are crucial in today’s data-centric world. 3. **Gathering and Wrangling Data** - Here, you'll get hands-on experience with the processes of identifying and importing data from different sources. You'll learn to clean and prepare data for analysis—skills that are imperative for any data analyst. The course presents various tools for data wrangling and their respective advantages and disadvantages, giving you a realistic perspective on the data preparation process. 4. **Mining & Visualizing Data and Communicating Results** - This segment covers the essential statistical techniques for analyzing data and the importance of visualization in conveying your findings effectively. By understanding patterns and correlations within the data, you'll be better equipped to tell compelling stories through visualizations, a key skill in data reporting. 5. **Career Opportunities and Data Analysis in Action** - Finally, the course concludes by exploring various career paths in data analysis. You’ll learn how to transition from theory to practice, demonstrating your newfound skills in gathering, wrangling, and visualizing data. #### Recommendations The **Introduction to Data Analytics** course is highly recommended for anyone looking to enter the data science field. Its clear structure, practical examples, and expert insights make complex concepts manageable and engaging. Whether you are a recent graduate, a professional seeking to switch careers, or simply curious about the field, this course offers a comprehensive overview that will build your confidence and skills in data analysis. **Pros:** - Well-structured and easy to follow. - Access to expert insights and real-world applications. - Hands-on tools and case studies to reinforce learning. **Cons:** - Beginners might need additional resources for more advanced statistical concepts. In conclusion, if you're ready to explore the vast world of data analysis, the **Introduction to Data Analytics** course on Coursera is an excellent place to start. By the end of the course, you’ll not only understand the foundational elements of data analysis but also feel empowered to pursue further opportunities in this exciting field. Sign up today to embark on your journey into data analytics!

Syllabus

What is Data Analytics

In this module, you will learn about the different types of data analysis and the key steps in a data analysis process. You will gain an understanding of the different components of a modern data ecosystem, and the role Data Engineers, Data Analysts, Data Scientists, Business Analysts, and Business Intelligence Analysts play in this ecosystem. You will also learn about the role, responsibilities, and skillsets required to be a Data Analyst, and what a typical day in the life of a Data Analyst looks like.

The Data Ecosystem

In this module, you will learn about the different types of data structures, file formats, sources of data, and the languages data professionals use in their day-to-day tasks. You will gain an understanding of various types of data repositories such as Databases, Data Warehouses, Data Marts, Data Lakes, and Data Pipelines. In addition, you will learn about the Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) Process, which is used to extract, transform, and load data into data repositories. You will gain a basic understanding of Big Data and Big Data processing tools such as Hadoop, Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), Hive, and Spark.

Gathering and Wrangling Data

In this module, you will learn about the process and steps involved in identifying, gathering, and importing data from disparate sources. You will learn about the tasks involved in wrangling and cleaning data in order to make it ready for analysis. In addition, you will gain an understanding of the different tools that can be used for gathering, importing, wrangling, and cleaning data, along with some of their characteristics, strengths, limitations, and applications.

Mining & Visualizing Data and Communicating Results

In this module, you will learn about the role of Statistical Analysis in mining and visualizing data. You will learn about the various statistical and analytical tools and techniques you can use in order to gain a deeper understanding of your data. These tools help you to understand the patterns, trends, and correlations that exist in data. In addition, you will learn about the various types of data visualizations that can help you communicate and tell a compelling story with your data. You will also gain an understanding of the different tools that can be used for mining and visualizing data, along with some of their characteristics, strengths, limitations, and applications.

Career Opportunities and Data Analysis in Action

In this module, you will learn about the different career opportunities in the field of Data Analysis and the different paths that you can take for getting skilled as a Data Analyst. At the end of the module, you will demonstrate your understanding of some of the basic tasks involved in gathering, wrangling, mining, analyzing, and visualizing data.

Overview

Ready to start a career in Data Analysis but don’t know where to begin? This course presents you with a gentle introduction to Data Analysis, the role of a Data Analyst, and the tools used in this job. You will learn about the skills and responsibilities of a data analyst and hear from several data experts sharing their tips & advice to start a career. This course will help you to differentiate between the roles of Data Analysts, Data Scientists, and Data Engineers. You will familiarize yourse

Skills

Data Science Spreadsheet Data Analysis Microsoft Excel Data Visualization

Reviews

Good informative course, could be a little more interactive. While each section had quick test at the end, it would've been nice to have had more engaging questions and activities throughout.

Course is really helped me understand the concept of Data Analytics. The viewer's points explained What, Why, and how Data Analytics. And the final assignment gives an exact idea about Data analysis.

Great foundational course for begginers. It provides overview of data analytics, tools used in data analysis, skill requirements, and examples of typical career paths taken by data analysts.

Great general and broad information on data analytics. Gives good ideas and examples of career paths that can be followed. I especially liked how it ranked the various careers and specializations.

All content was related and helpful, the only issue I see is the final assessment, peer graded. It looks like some students who want to get feedback on others', do not read the answers at all !