Data Analysis
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Frequently Asked Questions about Data Analysis
Data analysis is the process of collecting, cleaning, and interpreting data to generate insights that inform decisions. It’s closely related to data science, but analysts typically interpret and visualize data, while data scientists build the algorithms and models used to process it.
Many analysts use SQL plus a statistical language like R or Python, along with probability and statistics. You’ll also encounter tools such as Tableau, MySQL, and SAS, and topics like Excel, Power BI, data modeling, and data visualization. You can build multiple skills at once with certificates like Google Data Analytics or IBM Data Analyst.
Strong starting points include Introduction to Data Analytics, Stanford Statistics, Data Analysis with Python, Analyzing and Visualizing Data with the Google Way, and Excel Basics: Data Analysis with IBM. These courses teach core concepts and provide an in‑depth introduction to the field.
Explore options like IBM AI Workflow for Data Analysis and Hypothesis Testing, Machine Learning Data Lifecycle in Production, and Probabilistic Graphical Models. These cover advanced topics to deepen your expertise and expand into specialized areas.
Yes—popular options include Google Data Analytics and IBM Data Analyst. If you’re looking to advance further, consider degrees like the Master of Data Science (University of Pittsburgh) or the MCS in Data Science (Illinois).
Data analysts interpret and visualize existing data, while data scientists build algorithms and analytical models. If your goal is practical analytics, start with Google Data Analytics; for a broader path into modeling and machine learning, consider IBM Data Science or advance with Google Advanced Data Analytics.
Yes, Coursera offers interactive Guided Projects you can complete in under two hours, such as Scripting with Alteryx: Python and R and Dynamic Dashboards with Tableau. Many courses and Specializations also include graded assignments and projects; several options on this page are labeled Free, such as Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere.
Popular choices include the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate. You can also explore Meta Data Analyst and DeepLearning.AI Data Analytics to expand your toolkit.
