Survey Data Collection and Analytics Specialization

Collect and analyze data, and communicate results. Learn to collect quality data and conduct insightful data analysis in six courses.

About This Specialization

This specialization covers the fundamentals of surveys as used in market research, evaluation research, social science and political research, official government statistics, and many other topic domains. In six courses, you will learn the basics of questionnaire design, data collection methods, sampling design, dealing with missing values, making estimates, combining data from different sources, and the analysis of survey data. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills learned throughout the specialization by analyzing and comparing multiple data sources. Faculty for this specialisation comes from the Michigan Program in Survey Methodology and the Joint Program in Survey Methodology, a collaboration between the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan, and the data collection firm Westat, founded by the National Science Foundation and the Interagency Consortium of Statistical Policy in the U.S. to educate the next generation of survey researchers, survey statisticians, and survey methodologists. In addition to this specialization we offer short courses, a summer school, certificates, master degrees as well as PhD programs.

Created by:

7 courses

Follow the suggested order or choose your own.

Projects

Designed to help you practice and apply the skills you learn.

Certificates

Highlight your new skills on your resume or LinkedIn.

Courses

Beginner Specialization.: No prior experience required.

COURSE 1
Framework for Data Collection and Analysis
Upcoming session: Aug 27
Commitment
4 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week
Subtitles
English
About the 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 quest
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 2
Data Collection: Online, Telephone and Face-to-face
Current session: Aug 20
Commitment
4 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/weeks
Subtitles
English
About the Course
This course presents research conducted to increase our understanding of how data collection decisions affect survey errors. This is not a “how–to-do-it” course on data collection, but instead reviews the literature on survey design decisions
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 3
Questionnaire Design for Social Surveys
Upcoming session: Sep 3
Commitment
4-8 hours/week
Subtitles
English
About the Course
This course will cover the basic elements of designing and evaluating questionnaires. We will review the process of responding to questions, challenges and options for asking questions about behavioral frequencies, practical techniques for evaluating qu
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 4
Sampling People, Networks and Records
Current session: Aug 20
Subtitles
English
About the Course
Good data collection is built on good samples. But the samples can be chosen in many ways. Samples can be haphazard or convenient selections of persons, or records, or networks, or other units, but one questions the quality of such samples, especia
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 5
Dealing With Missing Data
Current session: Aug 20
Commitment
4 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week
Subtitles
English
About the Course
This course will cover the steps used in weighting sample surveys, including methods for adjusting for nonresponse and using data external to the survey for calibration. Among the techniques discussed are adjustments using estimated response prope
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 6
Combining and Analyzing Complex Data
Upcoming session: Sep 3
Subtitles
English
About the Course
In this course you will learn how to use survey weights to estimate descriptive statistics, like means and totals, and more complicated quantities like model parameters for linear and logistic regressions. Software capabilities will be
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 7
Survey Data Collection and Analytics Project (Capstone)
Upcoming session: Sep 3
Subtitles
English
About the Capstone Project
The Capstone Project offers qualified learners to the opportunity to apply their knowledge by analyzing and comparing multiple data sources on the same topic. Students will develop a research question, access and analyze relevant data, and cr
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.

Creators

Michigan’s academic vigor offers excellence across disciplines and around the globe. The University is recognized as a leader in higher education due to the outstanding quality of its 19 schools and colleges, internationally recognized faculty, and departments with 250 degree programs.
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
The University of Maryland is a globally recognized leader in entrepreneurship education, and the #1 public university in technology entrepreneurship education.
The University of Maryland 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 37,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff, and 250 academic programs. Its faculty includes three Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 47 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. The institution has a $1.8 billion operating budget, secures $500 million annually in external research funding and recently completed a $1 billion fundraising campaign.