What is data analytics?

Data is a group of facts that can take many different forms, such as numbers, pictures, words, videos, observations, and more. We use and create data everyday, like when we stream a show or song or post on social media. Data analytics is the collection, transformation, and organization of these facts to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making.

Why start a career in data analytics?

The amount of data created each day is tremendous. Any time you use your phone, look up something online, stream music, shop with a credit card, post on social media, or use GPS to map a route, you’re creating data. Companies must continually adjust their products, services, tools, and business strategies to meet consumer demand and react to emerging trends. Because of this, data analyst roles are in demand and competitively paid. Data analysts make sense of data and numbers to help organizations make better business decisions. They prepare, process, analyze, and visualize data, discovering patterns and trends and answering key questions along the way. Their work empowers their wider team to make better business decisions.

Why enroll in the Google Data Analytics Certificate?

You will learn the skill set required for becoming a junior or associate data analyst in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. Data analysts know how to ask the right question; prepare, process, and analyze data for key insights; effectively share their findings with stakeholders; and provide data-driven recommendations for thoughtful action. You’ll learn these job-ready skills in our certificate program through interactive content (discussion prompts, quizzes, and activities) in under six months, with under 10 hours of flexible study a week. Along the way, you'll work through a curriculum designed with input from top employers and industry leaders, like Tableau, Accenture, and Deloitte. You’ll even have the opportunity to complete a case study that you can share with potential employers to showcase your new skill set. After you’ve graduated from the program, you’ll have access to career resources and be connected directly with employers hiring for open entry-level roles in data analytics.

What background is required?

No prior experience with spreadsheets or data analytics is required. All you need is high-school level math and a curiosity about how things work.

Do you need to be strong at math to succeed in this certificate?

You don't need to be a math all-star to succeed in this certificate. You need to be curious and open to learning with numbers (the language of data analysts). Being a strong data analyst is more than just math, it's about asking the right questions, finding the best sources to answer your questions effectively, and illustrating your findings clearly in visualizations.

What tools and platforms are taught in the curriculum?

You'll learn to use analysis tools and platforms such as spreadsheets (Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel), SQL, presentation tools (Powerpoint or Google Slides), Tableau, Python, and Kaggle.

Which “spreadsheet” platform is being taught?

Learners can self-select which platform they want to use throughout the program: Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. It’s up to the learner’s preference, and all activities throughout the syllabus can be performed on either platform.

Do you need to take each course in course order?

We highly recommend completing the courses in the order presented because the content in each course builds on information from earlier lessons.

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

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Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

This course is part of Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Instructor: Google Career Certificates

1,543,628 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

35,268 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

35,268 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Explain how the problem-solving road map applies to typical analysis scenarios.
Discuss the use of data in the decision-making process.
Demonstrate the use of spreadsheets to complete basic tasks of the data analyst including entering and organizing data.
Describe the key ideas associated with structured thinking.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Dashboard

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

24 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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Build your Data Analysis expertise

This course is part of the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Google

There are 4 modules in this course

This is the second course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. You’ll build on your understanding of the topics that were introduced in the first course of this certificate program. The material will help you learn how to ask effective questions, make data-driven decisions, and meet stakeholders’ needs. Current Google data analysts will instruct and provide you with hands-on ways to accomplish common data analytics tasks.

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, you will: - Learn about effective questioning techniques that can help guide analysis. - Gain an understanding of data-driven decision-making and how data analysts present findings. - Explore a variety of real-world business scenarios as an example of questioning and decision-making. - Discover how and why spreadsheets are an important tool for data analysts. - Examine the key ideas associated with structured thinking and how they can help analysts better understand problems and develop solutions. - Learn strategies for managing the expectations of stakeholders while establishing clear communication with a data analytics team to achieve business objectives.

Module details

Data analysts are constantly asking questions in order to find solutions and identify business potential. In this part of the course, you’ll learn about effective questioning techniques that will help guide your analysis.

What's included

8 videos6 readings6 assignments1 plugin

8 videosTotal 35 minutes

Introduction to problem-solving and effective questioning 3 minutes
Data in action5 minutes
Nikki: The data process works2 minutes
Common problem types6 minutes
Continue exploring business applications7 minutes
Anmol: From hypothesis to outcome2 minutes
SMART questions7 minutes
Evan: Data opens doors3 minutes

6 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Course 2 overview8 minutes
Helpful resources and tips4 minutes
From issue to action: The six data analysis phases8 minutes
Six common problem types8 minutes
More about SMART questions8 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 14 minutes

6 assignmentsTotal 104 minutes

Test your knowledge on taking action with data8 minutes
Test your knowledge on solving problems with data8 minutes
Self-Reflection: Practice working SMART20 minutes
Self-Reflection: Ask your own SMART questions20 minutes
Test your knowledge on crafting effective questions8 minutes
Module 1 challenge 40 minutes

1 pluginTotal 10 minutes

Name the problem type10 minutes

In analytics, data drives decision-making, and this is your opportunity to explore data of all kinds and its impact on all sorts of business decisions. You’ll also learn how to effectively share your data through reports and dashboards.

What's included

6 videos6 readings5 assignments

6 videosTotal 25 minutes

Data and decisions1 minute
How data empowers decisions5 minutes
Qualitative and quantitative data4 minutes
The big reveal: Sharing your findings5 minutes
Data versus metrics4 minutes
Mathematical thinking5 minutes

6 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Data trials and triumphs8 minutes
Qualitative and quantitative data in business8 minutes
Tools for visualizing data8 minutes
Design compelling dashboards8 minutes
Big and small data4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 24 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 84 minutes

Test your knowledge on the power of data 8 minutes
Self-Reflection: Go deeper into dashboards20 minutes
Test your knowledge on following the evidence8 minutes
Test your knowledge on connecting the data dots8 minutes
Module 2 challenge 40 minutes

Spreadsheets are a key data analytics tool. Here you’ll learn both why and how data analysts use spreadsheets in their work. You’ll also investigate how structured thinking helps analysts understand problems and come up with solutions.

What's included

9 videos10 readings10 assignments1 plugin

9 videosTotal 41 minutes

The amazing spreadsheet2 minutes
Get to work with spreadsheets2 minutes
Basic spreadsheet tasks5 minutes
Formulas for success7 minutes
Spreadsheet errors and fixes8 minutes
Functions 1016 minutes
Before solving a problem, understand it2 minutes
Scope of work and structured thinking5 minutes
Staying objective4 minutes

10 readingsTotal 68 minutes

Spreadsheets and the data life cycle8 minutes
Step-by-Step: Basic spreadsheet tasks4 minutes
Learn more about spreadsheet basics 8 minutes
Step-by-Step: Formulas for success 8 minutes
Quick Reference: Formulas in spreadsheets8 minutes
More about spreadsheet errors and fixes8 minutes
Step-by-Step: Functions 1018 minutes
Quick Reference: Functions in spreadsheets8 minutes
The importance of context4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 34 minutes

10 assignmentsTotal 304 minutes

Hands-On Activity: Introduction to Google Sheets60 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Data analysis and formulas: Bakery sales insights20 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Resolve spreadsheet errors20 minutes
Test your knowledge on using formulas in spreadsheets8 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Create a custom data table60 minutes
Test your knowledge on using functions in spreadsheets8 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Create a scope of work60 minutes
Self-Reflection: Work with datasets20 minutes
Test your knowledge on structured thinking8 minutes
Module 3 challenge 40 minutes

1 pluginTotal 10 minutes

Creating a scope of work10 minutes

Successful data analysts balance the needs and expectations of their team and the stakeholders they support. In this part of the course, you’ll learn strategies for managing stakeholder expectations while establishing clear communication with your team.

What's included

14 videos8 readings3 assignments1 plugin

14 videosTotal 51 minutes

Communicating with your team1 minute
Balance needs and expectations across your team5 minutes
Focus on what matters5 minutes
Clear communication is key 4 minutes
Tips for effective communication6 minutes
Navigate expectations and realistic project goals4 minutes
Sarah: How to communicate with stakeholders3 minutes
The data tradeoff: Speed versus accuracy4 minutes
Think about your process and outcome3 minutes
Meeting best practices6 minutes
Ximena: Joining a new team2 minutes
From conflict to collaboration4 minutes
Nathan: From the U.S. Marine Corps to data analytics3 minutes
Congratulations! Course wrap-up1 minute

8 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Working with stakeholders8 minutes
Use multiple communication strategies to reach your audience4 minutes
Limitations of data8 minutes
Lead great meetings8 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 42 minutes
Reflect and connect with peers4 minutes
Course 2 glossary2 minutes
Coming up next...4 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 56 minutes

Test your knowledge on clear communication8 minutes
Test your knowledge on teamwork8 minutes
Module 4 challenge 40 minutes

1 pluginTotal 10 minutes

Understanding stakeholder roles10 minutes

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Google Career Certificates

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Reviewed on Mar 31, 2021

I just finished the 2nd Course in the Google Data Analyst course - even though I have experience in the field, this course reminded of areas that I should focus on and work to strengthen my skills in.

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2023

The course is great. Taking this course, I have learned a lot about asking effective questions, some communication tips, different types of data and their categories, some basic spreadsheets, etc.

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2022

it's excellent also the mentor explains what data-driven decision-making is easily anyone can understand this course. I learn many new things about how to behave in meeting what is a stakeholder

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