What is data collection?

Data collection is the systematic process of gathering information like observations or measurements while doing research. When you’re performing research, you’re likely looking for answers to a question you have. When it comes to data collection, digging beyond the surface tells an intriguing story. Collecting data about what you’re researching can help you gain more insight into the details and information that’ll help you answer that question. Although it’s particularly useful in science-related applications, the beauty of data collection is that you can use it to discover answers to almost any query you dream up.

Why learn data collection?

Data are important for helping you (and others, and even computers) make all sorts of different decisions. It helps scientists learn whether their studies are working and assists marketers in sending the right messages to the right people. It's what lets us know if something new we tried is really working. As information becomes digitized, it becomes data that we can use in a variety of ways to accomplish whatever we’ve set out to do. But in order to do that, we need to gather the data first. Without data collection to compile that information, we can’t be truly efficient in analyzing those details — what if something is missing? If you’re aiming to understand how research is conducted and decisions are made, it’s essential to learn about data collection’s role.

What career opportunities can arise from learning data collection?

Almost every career that involves data provides opportunities for collecting those data, even if the primary focus isn’t only collecting data. A multitude of different analyst roles require plenty of time spent gathering data, whether you choose to work in fields like marketing, human resources or business or you’re specifically interested in working as a data scientist — someone who directs their efforts toward compiling data and translating it into information that others can use to make decisions. Even working as an actuary — a professional who assesses risks, often in insurance fields — allows you to focus much of your time on dealing with data. But these careers are just the beginning; dozens more give you the opportunity to collect data, so it’s an important skill to have and concept to understand even if it’s not the primary focus of your work.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn data collection?

If you’re looking to boost your data literacy, taking our online classes provides a worthwhile opportunity to pursue your goals whenever it’s most convenient for you. Online courses give you the time and space you need to complete coursework from home while also providing you access to learning materials created by accomplished instructors and other field experts. You’ll enjoy learning the basic frameworks of data collection and analysis as you’re getting started learning about this topic by discovering the role of research, analysis and collection techniques. As you advance, you might choose to study more complex topics like utilizing the Python programming language to create programs that fetch and analyze data. And with a variety of learning programs, from certificates to specializations to course credits for college degrees, you can formalize your data analysis accomplishments as you continue to build skills.

Top Data Collection Courses - Learn Data Collection Online

Explore the Data Collection Course Catalog

Meta
React Basics
Skills you'll gain: Mobile Development, React.js, Web Applications, Event-Driven Programming, Application Development, UI Components, HTML and CSS, Javascript
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Computing
Skills you'll gain: Distributed Computing, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Big Data, Apache Spark, Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, Network Architecture, Data Storage Technologies, Computer Networking, File Systems, Apache Hadoop, Network Infrastructure, Cloud Applications, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Middleware, Software-Defined Networking, Data Store, NoSQL, Cloud Platforms
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
DeepLearning.AI
Natural Language Processing in TensorFlow
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Natural Language Processing, Generative AI, Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Neural Networks, Text Mining, Data Processing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.5K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Perform exploratory data analysis on retail data with Python
Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Statistical Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Data Manipulation, Matplotlib, Customer Analysis, Analytical Skills, Trend Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Python Programming, Jupyter
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Johns Hopkins University
Reproducible Research
Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Knitr, Data Sharing, Statistical Reporting, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Data Validation, R Programming, Verification And Validation, Technical Documentation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Microsoft
Data for Analysis with Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Power BI, Data Analysis, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Transformation, Timelines, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Data Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IBM
Developing Mobile Apps with React Native
Skills you'll gain: React Native, Flutter (Software), Mobile Development, React Redux, React.js, Front-End Web Development, JavaScript Frameworks, Ajax, Cross Platform Development, Javascript, Apple iOS, UI Components, Data Structures, Back-End Web Development, Debugging, iOS Development, User Story, Full-Stack Web Development, Web Applications, Android Development
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
802 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Rice University
Fundamentals of Computing
Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Event-Driven Programming, Algorithms, Combinatorics, Graph Theory, Programming Principles, Application Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Structures, Probability, Computer Programming, Bioinformatics, Interactive Design, Program Development, Big Data, Python Programming, Mathematical Software, Data Analysis, Theoretical Computer Science, Computer Science
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Wesleyan University
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Data Storytelling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Descriptive Statistics, Data Presentation, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Software, Correlation Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Decision Tree Learning, Data Management, Data Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Data Visualization, Data Literacy, Random Forest Algorithm, SAS (Software), Statistical Modeling
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of London
Responsive Website Development and Design
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Web Design, Human Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, jQuery, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Usability, User Experience Design, User Accounts, MongoDB, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Web Design and Development, Wireframing, Persona (User Experience), Web Applications, Full-Stack Web Development, Interactive Data Visualization, JavaScript Frameworks
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
7.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Macquarie University
Analysing: Numeric and digital literacies
Skills you'll gain: Governance, Management Accounting, Marketing Analytics, Budgeting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Modeling, SAS (Software), Business Analytics, Accounting, Financial Management, Customer Insights, Financial Analysis, Dashboard, Analytics, Marketing Effectiveness, Corporate Finance, Digital Marketing, Customer Data Management, Business Valuation, Data-Driven Decision-Making
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome
Skills you'll gain: Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Life Sciences, Health Informatics, Big Data, Biostatistics, Data Analysis, Medical Science and Research, Nutrition and Diet, Biology, Nutrition Education, Data Collection
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months