When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course
This course will provide you with an overview over existing data products and a good understanding of the data collection landscape. With the help of various examples you will learn how to identify which data sources likely matches your research question, how to turn your research question into measurable pieces, and how to think about an analysis plan. Furthermore this course will provide you with a general framework that allows you to not only understand each step required for a successful data collection and analysis, but also help you to identify errors associated with different data sources. You will learn some metrics to quantify each potential error, and thus you will have tools at hand to describe the quality of a data source. Finally we will introduce different large scale data collection efforts done by private industry and government agencies, and review the learned concepts through these examples. This course is suitable for beginners as well as those that know about one particular data source, but not others, and are looking for a general framework to evaluate data products.
The first course in the specialization provides an overview of the topics to come. This module walks you through the process of data collection and analysis. Starting with a research question and a review of existing data sources, we cover survey data collection techniques, highlight the importance of data curation, and discuss some basic features that can affect your data analysis when dealing with sample data. Issues of data access and resources for access are introduced in this module.
In this module we will emphasize the importance of having a well-specified research question and analysis plan. We will provide an overview over the various data collection strategies, a variety of available modes for data collection and some thinking on how to choose the right mode.
What's included
6 videos2 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 36 minutes
Issues with Inductive Reasoning•6 minutes
Planning on What You Want to Observe•8 minutes
Planning on How to Collect Data•6 minutes
New Modes•5 minutes
Web and Google•7 minutes
Choosing a Mode•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 40 minutes
Handouts•10 minutes
Jäckle et al. (2015)•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz for Week 2•30 minutes
Quality Framework
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module you will be introduced to a general framework that allows you to not only understand each step required for a successful data collection and analysis, but also helps you to identify errors associated with different data sources. You will learn some metrics to quantify each potential error, and thus you will have tools at hand to describe the quality of a data source.
What's included
8 videos3 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 49 minutes
Quality of Data•5 minutes
Inference•4 minutes
Survey Life Cycle from a Design Perspective - Measurement•5 minutes
Survey Life Cycle from a Design Perspective - Representation•5 minutes
Survey Lifecycle from a Process Perspective•2 minutes
Survey Lifeycle from a Quality Perspective•15 minutes
Survey Lifecycle from a Quality Perspective (II) - Metrics•4 minutes
Survey Lifecycle from a Quality Perspective (III) - Coverage and Sampling•9 minutes
3 readings•Total 60 minutes
Handouts•10 minutes
Groves (2011)•20 minutes
Groves & Lyberg (2010)•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Quiz for Week 3•30 minutes
Application of TSE Framework to Existing Surveys
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module we introduce a few surveys across a variety of topics. For each we highlight data collection features. The surveys span a variety of topics. We challenge you to think about alternative data sources that can be used to gather the same information or insights.
The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 400,000 alumni. The university’s faculty includes two Nobel laureates, 10 Pulitzer Prize winners, 69 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. Located just outside Washington, D.C., the University of Maryland is committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus, and discovers and shares new knowledge every day through research and programs in academics, the arts, and athletics.
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Learner reviews
4.2
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25.16%
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A
AO
5·
Reviewed on Aug 22, 2017
This great course and a good foundation for the specialization. The lecturer is amazing and experienced. I really enjoyed this one.
T
TJ
5·
Reviewed on Oct 30, 2020
Useful to build basic knowledge which helps you choosing a better mode and linking the objectives of research with the tools (how).Thanks to the instructor and Coursera.
M
MI
4·
Reviewed on Dec 30, 2021
The way the instructor was teaching was not very exciting, but the course was a good start as it had general information about data analysis.
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 Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, 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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.