Data analysis is the practice of working with data to glean useful information, which can then be used to make informed decisions. The data analysis process is a formal approach to working with data, which typically moves through several phases including identifying the question you’d like to answer, collecting raw data sets, cleaning your data, analyzing the data, and interpreting the results.
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Your essential data analysis toolkit
Whether you want to become a data analyst, excel in your current career, or search for a new job, you can use data analysis to move toward your goals. That’s because when you strengthen your data analysis skills, you can make more informed decisions, assess your impact, and effectively share your results with others.
Data analysis is all about extracting meaning from data, and there are several tools you can use to make this process a bit easier. Some common tools and software include:- Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to analyze smaller data sets
- Structured Query Language (SQL) to access larger databases
- Python or R to clean, manipulate, and visualize data
- Tableau or Power BI to visualize and present data
Here are some beginner-friendly data analysis courses to get started:
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GoogleData Analytics Professional Certificate
Learn data analysis fundamentals with Google Sheets and R.
IBMData Analyst Professional Certificate
Explore foundational data processes using Excel and Python.
MacQuarie UniversityExcel Skills for Business Specialization
Learning Excel is one beginner-friendly way to enhance your analysis capabilities when you’re working with smaller data sets.
University of California, DavisLearn SQL Basics for Data Science Specialization
If you hope to make a career out of data analysis, you’ll likely need to learn SQL. A bit more complex than Excel, SQL enables you to analyze large data sets housed in databases.
University of MichiganPython for Everybody Specialization
Python is a popular programming language that analysts use to streamline, model, and visualize data.
IBMData Analysis and Visualization Foundations Specialization
Data visualization skills enable you to effectively share your insights with others and use your analytical skills to influence high-level decision-making.
Johns Hopkins UniversityData Visualization & Dashboarding with R Specialization
R is a programming language that analysts use to conduct statistical analyses and create visualizations.
Having fun with Excel and SQL?
FreePerhaps a career as a data analyst is in your future!
Data analysts are in demand and tend to earn above-average salaries, even at the entry level. Explore how to continue your data analysis journey with these helpful guides.
CourseraHow to Become a Data Analyst (with or Without a Degree)
Ready to start your career as a data analyst? Set yourself up for success with this step-by-step guide.
Coursera6 Popular Data Analytics Certifications
Including a certificate or certification on your resume can enable you to signal to potential employers that you have the skill you’ll need to succeed in a role. Read about some popular options to choose which is right for you.
Coursera5 SQL Certifications for Your Data Career
Data analysts commonly use SQL to work with large volumes of data housed in databases. With a certification, you can demonstrate your deep understanding of SQL, as well as your knowledge of these systems at large.
CourseraA Beginner’s Guide to Python
Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world. Learn about the many applications of this general-purpose language—and in particular, how you may use it in your new career as a data analyst.
Coursera5 Data Analytics Projects for Beginners
Practice your skills and build a job-ready portfolio with these beginner-friendly data analysis projects.
Coursera15 Data Analyst Interview Questions and Answers
Prepare for your data analyst interview with these common practice questions and tips for answering them.
Data analysis FAQs
What is data analysis?
Is data analytics hard?
You are most likely already familiar with some aspects of data analysis, however formalizing that knowledge can involve building some technical skills, such as learning SQL or Python. Some aspects of data analysis can be more challenging to master, but don’t worry: we have plenty of tips for rising to the challenge.
Python or R: Which should I learn?
Both Python and R are programming languages used to clean, manipulate, analyze, and visualize data, and both are considered relatively easy languages to learn. There’s no wrong choice when it comes to choosing which language to learn (or which to learn first). When in doubt, return to your goals. R tends to be better for statistical analysis and data visualizations, whereas Python tends to be better for working with artificial intelligence, deep learning, and big data.
