Data is everywhere, but turning it into insight requires more than technical skills. You'll learn about bias and its appearance in data, sharpen your analytical thinking skills, and understand how data ecosystems operate. You’ll learn to question assumptions, interpret findings by combining data and business knowledge, and understand why data-informed decisions empower businesses.



Introducing Data Analytics and Analytical Thinking
This course is part of Google Data-Driven Decision Making Specialization

Instructor: Google Career Certificates
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What you'll learn
Discuss the use of data in everyday life decisions
Explain the data analysis process, making specific reference to the ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act phases
Define key concepts involved in data analytics including data, data analysis, and data ecosystem
Explain the concept of data-driven decision-making including specific examples
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

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5 assignments
September 2025
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There are 5 modules in this course
Data analysis follows a six-phased process that requires ongoing review and iteration to ensure quality. In this part of the course, you'll learn what data analysis is, what happens after data analysis, and why data science specialization is important.
What's included
2 videos3 readings1 assignment
Data ecosystems bring together multiple elements—hardware, software tools, and users—to serve various purposes like data storage and production. In this part of the course, you'll learn what the data ecosystem is, and why blending data with business knowledge can be useful.
What's included
2 videos2 readings1 assignment
In this part of the course, you'll explore what key analytical skills are required and how to apply them in business scenarios.
What's included
2 videos1 reading1 assignment1 plugin
There are many ways to think—creative, abstract—but analytical thinking is crucial. In this part of the course, you'll learn aspects of analytical thinking, what questions data analysts ask when searching for solutions, and why data-driven approaches are more effective.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment
Review everything you've learned and take the assessment.
What's included
2 readings1 assignment
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