Course 2

Reports

are static collections of data.

Chief executive officer Vice president, data and strategy Data analytics coordinator

Based on what you find in the organizational chart, which of the stakeholders are responsible for managing the data? Select all that apply.

Classifying or grouping items

Categorizing things is one of the six problem types data analysts solve. This type of problem might involve which of the following actions? Categorizing things involves classifying or grouping items in order to gain insights.

what the data has in common

Fill in the blank: Data-inspired decision-making can discover _____ when exploring different data sources.

action-oriented

In the SMART methodology, questions that encourage change are described how?

STEP 6 - ACT

Now it's time to act on your data. You will take everything you have learned from your data analysis and put it to use. This could mean providing your stakeholders with recommendations based on your findings so they can make data-driven decisions. Questions to ask yourself in this step: How can I use the feedback I received during the share phase (step 5) to actually meet the stakeholder's needs and expectations? These six steps can help you to break the data analysis process into smaller, manageable parts, which is called structured thinking. This process involves four basic activities: Recognizing the current problem or situation Organizing available information Revealing gaps and opportunities Identifying your options

It is closed-ended. It makes assumptions. It uses slang words that not everyone can understand. It is vague. (wrong)

On a customer service questionnaire, a data analyst asks, "If you could contact our customer service department via chat, how much valuable time would that save you?" Why is this question unfair?

The share phase of the data analysis process typically involves which of the following activities? Select all that apply.

Putting analysis into action to solve a problem X Summarizing results using data visualizations X Communicating findings X Creating a slideshow to present to stakeholders

A time-bound SMART question specifies which of the following parameters?

The era, phase, or period of analysis

Structured thinking

To address a vague, complex problem, a data analyst breaks it down into smaller steps. They use a process to help them recognize the current problem or situation, organize available information, reveal gaps and opportunities, and identify options. What does this scenario describe?

Qualitative data can be used to measure qualities and characteristics. Quantitative data can be used to measure numerical facts.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

dashboards

monitor live, incoming data from multiple datasets and organize the information into one central location.

Operators

symbols used in formulas, including + (addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication), and / (division).

The best course of action is to reply with a quick update thanking the sender for their patience and letting them know when they can expect you to respond with the answer to their question.

A colleague sent you a question via email nearly two days ago. You know it's going to take a while for you to find the answer because you need to do some research first. You're too busy to get it done today. What's the best course of action?

X Assigning items to categories Creating new classifications for items and assigning grades to items Taking an inventory of items Determining how items are different from each other

In data analysis, categorizing things involves which of the following?

qualitative data

In data analytics, _____ is subjective and and measures qualities and characteristics.

Collect data. Organize the available information Shred paper files. X Communicate findings.

In the share step of the data analysis process, a data analyst summarizes their results using data visualizations and creates a slideshow to present to stakeholders. What else might they do in this step?

Dashboards

Offer live monitoring of incoming data. Eenable stakeholders to interact with the data.

STEP 2 - PREPARE

You will decide what data you need to collect in order to answer your questions and how to organize it so that it is useful. You might use your business task to decide: What metrics to measure Locate data in your database Create security measures to protect that data Questions to ask yourself in this step: What do I need to figure out how to solve this problem? What research do I need to do?

STEP 4 - ANALYZE

You will want to think analytically about your data. At this stage, you might sort and format your data to make it easier to: Perform calculations Combine data from multiple sources Create tables with your results Questions to ask yourself in this step: What story is my data telling me? How will my data help me solve this problem? Who needs my company's product or service? What type of person is most likely to use it?

Communicate with the data analytics coordinator about the issue and offer to work together to clean the data so the project doesn't fall behind.

You're working with a dataset that the data analytics coordinator should have cleaned, but it turns out that it wasn't. Your supervisor thought the dataset was ready for use, but you discover nulls, redundant data, and other issues. The project is due in less than two weeks. How would you handle that situation?

Small data

involves a small number of specific metrics over a shorter period of time. It's effective for analyzing day-to-day decisions.

Big Data

involves larger and less specific datasets and focuses on change over a long period of time. It's effective for analyzing more substantial decisions.

action-oriented

A data analyst uses the SMART methodology to create a question that encourages change. This type of question can be described how?

Asking questions including, "Does my analysis answer the original question?" and "Are there other angles I haven't considered?" enable data analysts to accomplish what tasks? Select all that apply.

Data analysts ask thoughtful questions to help them reach solid conclusions, consider how to share data with others, and help team members make effective decisions.

Asking questions such as these enables data analysts to consider the best ways to share data with others, help their team make informed decisions, and use data to get to a solid conclusion.

Asking questions including, "Does my analysis answer the original question?" and "Are there other angles I haven't considered?" enable data analysts to accomplish what tasks? Select all that apply.

STEP 3 - PROCESS

Clean data is the best data and you will need to clean up your data to get rid of any possible errors, inaccuracies, or inconsistencies. This might mean: Using spreadsheet functions to find incorrectly entered data Using SQL functions to check for extra spaces Removing repeated entries Checking as much as possible for bias in the data Questions to ask yourself in this step: What data errors or inaccuracies might get in my way of getting the best possible answer to the problem I am trying to solve? How can I clean my data so the information I have is more consistent?

Categorizing things involves taking inventory of items. Identifying themes deals with creating labels for items. X Categorizing things involves assigning items to categories. Identifying themes takes those categories a step further, grouping them into broader themes. Categorizing things involves assigning grades to items. Identifying themes involves creating new classifications for items. Categorizing things involves determining how items are different from each other. Identifying themes brings different items back together in a single group.

Describe the key difference between the problem types of categorizing things and identifying themes.

True

If someone is subjectively describing their feelings or emotions, it is qualitative data.

X How could we simplify the time-keeping process for our employees? X What functionalities would make our timesheet web page more user-friendly? X What features could we add to our calendar app as a weekly timesheet reminder to employees? Why don't employees prioritize filling out their timesheets by noon on Fridays?

The question, "Why don't our employees complete their timesheets each Friday by noon?" is not action-oriented. Which of the following questions are action-oriented and more likely to lead to change? Select all that apply.

False

Using historical data to make informed decisions about how things may be in the future is an example of making predictions.

Who is the person that I should contact? X How has our product helped make your life easier? X How much would you pay for this convenience? How did you learn about our company?

Which of the following examples are leading questions? Select all that apply.

X What would you think if this happened to you? What was the highest score on the exam? X What do you usually like to watch? How many hours are left in the movie?

Which of the following examples are vague questions? Select all that apply.

Analyzing user preferences to customize movie recommendations and analyzing product purchases to create better promotions are examples of using data to achieve business results. These examples demonstrate putting analysis to work to achieve business results.

Which of the following examples describes using data to achieve business results? Select all that apply.

Did you get through to customer service? Keeping employees engaged is important, isn't it? X It must be frustrating waiting on hold for so long, right? X Wouldn't you agree that product A is better than product B?

Which of the following questions make assumptions? Select all that apply.

Fill in the bank: One goal of structured thinking is organizing the available information to reveal _____ and opportunities.

advantages X gaps applications connections

Making predictions Identifying themes Spotting something unusual Discovering connections

A restaurant is considering offering a delivery option for its customers. They use data to forecast the demand for this service. This is an example of which problem type?

To ensure their work answers the right questions and delivers useful results, the data analyst should set clear expectations, outline the problem, and reframe the question.

A stakeholder has asked a data analyst to produce a report very quickly. What are some strategies the analyst can apply to ensure their work isn't rushed, answers the right question, and delivers useful results? Select all that apply.

A local internet service provider is expecting an increase in the number of people streaming online entertainment. Their data analyst uses data to estimate the required bandwidth necessary to service its customers. This is an example of which problem type?

Discovering connections Spotting something unusual X Making predictions Identifying themes

STEP 5 - SHARE

Everyone shares their results differently so be sure to summarize your results with clear and enticing visuals of your analysis using data via tools like graphs or dashboards. This is your chance to show the stakeholders you have solved their problem and how you got there. Sharing will certainly help your team: Make better decisions Make more informed decisions Lead to stronger outcomes Successfully communicate your findings Questions to ask yourself in this step: How can I make what I present to the stakeholders engaging and easy to understand? What would help me understand this if I were the listener?

share X organize communicate record

Fill in the blank: To apply structured thinking, a data analyst should ______ the available information in order to reveal gaps and opportunities and recognize the current problem or situation.

Identifying trends from historical data

Finding patterns is one of the six problem types data analysts aim to solve. This type of problem might involve which of the following? Finding patterns involves identifying trends from historical data.

Focusing on stakeholder expectations enables data analysts to understand project goals, improve communication, and build trust.

Focusing on stakeholder expectations enables data analysts to achieve what goals? Select all that apply.

Action-oriented questions are easier to answer. X Action-oriented questions are more likely to lead to actual change. Action-oriented questions are more polite. Action-oriented questions are more likely to maintain the status quo.

For data analysis, why are action-oriented questions preferable to questions that are not action-oriented?

X On TV during the season finale of The Best Chef in the Universe X On a podcast for foodies X At a bus stop near a local culinary school In a magazine all about advertising

If a cooking supply store wants to attract more customers, where can they advertise to better reach their target audience? Select all that apply.

Return on investment

If we asked you to compare the purchase price (cost) and net profit, what would you be calculating?

Why is reaching your target audience important in data analysis?

It makes your products easier to use for your customers. It increases the effectiveness of your services for customers. (wrong) It brings awareness of your products to potential customers. It improves customer service for those currently using your products.

STEP 1 - ASK

It's impossible to solve a problem if you don't know what it is. These are some things to consider: Define the problem you're trying to solve Make sure you fully understand the stakeholder's expectations Focus on the actual problem and avoid any distractions Collaborate with stakeholders and keep an open line of communication Take a step back and see the whole situation in context Questions to ask yourself in this step: What are my stakeholders saying their problems are? Now that I've identified the issues, how can I help the stakeholders resolve their questions?

On a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being not at all likely and 5 being very likely, how likely are you to recommend Patel Events Plus? How satisfied were you with our event planning service — dissatisfied, neutral, or satisfied?

Let's say we just completed a big event for a client and wanted to find out if they were satisfied with their experience. Provide some examples of measurable questions that you could include in the customer feedback survey. Select all that apply.

Dashboard

Let's say you want to share information about an upcoming event with stakeholders. It's important that they're able to access and interact with the data in real time. Would you create a report or a dashboard?

The four key questions data analysts ask themselves when communicating with stakeholders are: Who is my audience? What do they already know? What do they need to know? And how can I communicate effectively with them?

To communicate clearly with stakeholders and team members, there are four key questions data analysts ask themselves. The first is: Who is my audience? Identify the remaining three questions. Select all that apply.