Data Analytics Glossary (Coursera)

Quantitative data

A specific and objective measure, such as a number, quantity, or range

Report

A static collection of data periodically given to stakeholders

Qualitative data

A subjective and explanatory measure of a quality or characteristic

SMART methodology

A tool for determining a question's effectiveness based on whether it is specific, measurable, action-oriented, relevant, and time-bound

Dashboard

A tool that monitors live, incoming data

Attribute

A characteristic or quality of data used to label a column in a table

Pivot chart

A chart created from the fields in a pivot table

Database

A collection of data stored in a computer system

Dataset

A collection of data that can be manipulated or analyzed as one unit

Data

A collection of facts

Query language

A computer programming language used to communicate with a database

Structured Query Language

A computer programming language used to communicate with a database

Pivot table

A data summarization tool used to sort, reorganize, group, count, total, or average data

Spreadsheet

A digital worksheet

Data science

A field of study that uses raw data to create new ways of modeling and understanding the unknown

Return on investment (ROI)

A formula that uses the metrics of investment and profit to evaluate the success of an investment

Metric goal

A measurable goal set by a company and evaluated using metrics

Gap analysis

A method for examining and evaluating the current state of a process in order to identify opportunities for improvement in the future

Cloud

A place to keep data online, rather than a computer hard drive

Function

A preset command that automatically performs a process or task using the data in a spreadsheet

Algorithm

A process or set of rules followed for a specific task

Fairness

A quality of data analysis that does not create or reinforce bias

Relevant question

A question that has significance to the problem to be solved

Specific question

A question that is simple, significant, and focused on a single topic or a few closely related ideas

Unfair question

A question that makes assumptions or is difficult to answer honestly

Time-bound question

A question that specifies a timeframe to be studied

Leading question

A question that steers people toward a certain response

Measurable question

A question whos answers can be quantified and assessed

Action-oriented question

A question whose answers lead to change

Query

A request for data or information from a database

Formula

A set of instructions used to perform a calculation using the data in a spreadsheet

Metric

A single, quantifiable type of data that is used for measurement

Data design

How information is organized

Big data

Large, complex datasets involving long periods of time, which enable data analysts to address far-reaching business problems

Stakeholders

People who invest time and resources into a project and are interested in its outcome

Analytical skills

Qualities and characteristics associated with using facts to solve problems

Small data

Small, specific data points typically involving a short period of time, which are useful for making day-to-day decisions

Data analyst

Someone who collects, transforms, and organizes data in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making

Technical mindset

The ability to break things down into smaller steps or pieces and work with them in an orderly and logical way

Observation

The attributes that describe a piece of data contained in a row of a table

Data analysis

The collection, transformation, and organization of data in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making

Context

The condition in which something exists or happens

Data visualization

The graphical representation of data

Data strategy

The management of the people, processes, and tools used in data analysis

Data-inspired decision-making

The process of exploring different data sources to find out what they have in common

Analytical thinking

The process of identifying and defining a problem, then solving it by using data in an organized, step-by-step manner

Structured thinking

The process of recognizing the current problem or situation, organizing available information, revealing gaps and opportunities, and identifying options

Data-driven decision-making

The process of using facts to guide business strategy

Business task

The question or problem data analysis answers for a business

Root cause

The reason why a problem occurs

Data analytics

The science of data

Data life cycle

The sequence of stages that data experiences, which include plan, capture, manage, analyze, archive, and destroy

Data analysis process

The six phases of ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act whose purpose is to gain insights that drive informed decision-making

Revenue

The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods or services

Data ecosystem

The various elements that interact with one another in order to produce, manage, store, organize, analyze, and share data

Problem types

The various problems that data analysts encounter, including categorizing things, discovering connections, finding patterns, identifying themes, making predictions, and spotting something unusual