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

University of California, Davis
Computational Social Science
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Natural Language Processing, Web Scraping, Social Sciences, Data Ethics, Data Wrangling, Data Manipulation, Databases, Artificial Intelligence, Research, Simulations, Big Data, Systems Thinking, Data Science, Research Methodologies, Machine Learning, Data Collection, Computational Thinking, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Graph Theory
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Data Wrangling with Python
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Web Scraping, Pivot Tables And Charts, Pandas (Python Package), Data Integration, Seaborn, Data Manipulation, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Transformation, Data Processing, NumPy, Data Cleansing, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Descriptive Statistics, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Microsoft PL-300 Exam Preparation and Practice
Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Data Visualization Software, Data Storytelling, Data Modeling, Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Microsoft Azure, Data Transformation, Data Cleansing, Data Management, Generative AI
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
434 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Microsoft
Excel and Copilot Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Data Entry, Data Presentation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Automation, Natural Language Processing
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
68 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Stanford University
Probabilistic Graphical Models 1: Representation
Skills you'll gain: Bayesian Network, Graph Theory, Probability Distribution, Statistical Modeling, Markov Model, Decision Support Systems, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Probability & Statistics, Network Analysis, Applied Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Data Science Coding Challenge: Loan Default Prediction
Skills you'll gain: Applied Machine Learning, Jupyter, Data Processing, Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Predictive Analytics, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Python Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
89 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Pattern Discovery in Data Mining
Skills you'll gain: Data Mining, Big Data, Anomaly Detection, Text Mining, Unstructured Data, Data Processing, Spatial Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Methods, Algorithms, Scalability, Information Privacy
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
325 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Berklee
The Business of Music Production
Skills you'll gain: Contract Negotiation, Post-Production, Active Listening, Negotiation, Constructive Feedback, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Business Management, Media Production, Aesthetics, Personal Development, Business, Data Import/Export, Editing, Multimedia, Business Economics, File Management, Self-Awareness
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Introducción a la programación en Python I: Aprendiendo a programar con Python
Skills you'll gain: Python Programming, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Program Development, Scripting, Scripting Languages, Algorithms, File Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
West Virginia University
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination
Skills you'll gain: Internal Controls, Financial Controls, Threat Detection, Anomaly Detection, Financial Auditing, Cybersecurity, Financial Data, Investigation, Analytics, Specialized Accounting, Advanced Analytics, Security Awareness, Big Data, Business Ethics, Analysis, Compliance Reporting, Data Analysis Software, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Big Data Integration and Processing
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, PySpark, Apache Hadoop, Data Integration, Big Data, Data Pipelines, Data Processing, Data Management, NoSQL, Analytics, Splunk, Database Systems, MongoDB, Pandas (Python Package), Query Languages, SQL
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
SkillUp EdTech
Power BI Data Analyst Prep
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Power BI, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Star Schema, Data Cleansing, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Data Import/Export, Data Security
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks