ASK QUESTIONS TO MAKE DATA DRIVEN DECISIONS

Which of the following examples are closed-ended questions? Select all that apply. A. What grade did you get in your math class? B. How old are you? C. Is math your favorite subject? D. What are your thoughts about math?

A. What grade did you get in your math class? B. How old are you?

Fill in the blank: Quantitative data is specific and _____. A. explanatory B. descriptive C. objective D. subjective

C. objective

Questions leading to answers that can be quantified and assessed align with which component of the SMART methodology? A. Appropriate B. Tangible C. Reasonable D. Measurable

D. Measurable

The spotting something unusual problem type could involve which of the following scenarios? A. A data analyst working for an agricultural company examines why a dataset has a surprising and rare data point. B. A data insight helps a landscaping company envision what will happen in the future C. A data analyst at a clothing retailer creates a list of common topics, categorizes them, and groups each category into a broader subject area for further analysis. D. A data analyst at an arts nonprofit classifies similar data points into groups for further analysis.

A. A data analyst working for an agricultural company examines why a dataset has a surprising and rare data point.

A data analytics team works to recognize the current problem. Then, they organize available information to reveal gaps and opportunities. Finally, they identify the available options. These steps are part of what process? A. Applying the SMART methodology B. Using structured thinking C. Categorizing things D. Making connections

B. Using structured thinking

The question, "How could we improve our website to simplify the returns process for our online customers?" is action-oriented. True False

True

Structured thinking involves which of the following processes? Select all that apply. A. Organizing available information B. Asking SMART questions C. Revealing gaps and opportunities D. Recognizing the current problem or situation

A. Organizing available information C. Revealing gaps and opportunities D. Recognizing the current problem or situation

Categorizing things involves assigning items to categories. Identifying themes takes those categories a step further, grouping them into broader themes or classifications. True False

True

If a cooking supply store wants to attract more customers, where can they advertise to better reach their target audience? Select all that apply. A. At a bus stop near a local culinary school B. On a podcast for foodies C. On TV during the season finale of The Best Chef in the Universe D. In a magazine all about advertising

A. At a bus stop near a local culinary school C. On TV during the season finale of The Best Chef in the Universe

Fill in the blank: Data-inspired decision-making deals with exploring different data sources to discover _____. A. if a decision was properly made B. what the data has in common C. which experts can give advice D. where the largest amount of data is

B. what the data has in common

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. A. Consider the best ways to share data with others B. Use data to get to a solid conclusion C. Identify primary and secondary stakeholders D. Help team members make informed, data-driven decisions

A. Consider the best ways to share data with others B. Use data to get to a solid conclusion D. Help team members make informed, data-driven decisions

A data analyst has entered the analyze step of the data analysis process. Identify the questions they might ask during this phase. Select all that apply. A. How will my data help me solve this problem? B. How can I create an engaging presentation to stakeholders? C. What story is my data telling me D. What is the question I'm trying to answer?

A. How will my data help me solve this problem? C. What story is my data telling me

A data analyst is trying to understand their target audience. They're asking questions such as, "How can learning more about my target audience help me figure out how to solve this problem?" and "What research do I need to do about my target audience?" The data analyst is in which phase of the data analysis process? A. Prepare B. Ask C. Act D. Share

A. Prepare

In which step of the data analysis process would an analyst ask questions such as, "What data errors might get in the way of my analysis?" or "How can I clean my data so the information I have is consistent?" A. Process B. Prepare C. Analyze D. Ask

A. Process

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? A. Structured thinking B. Analytical thinking C. Gap analysis D. Data-driven decision-making

A. Structured thinking

Small data differs from big data in what ways? Select all that apply. A. Small data is typically stored in a database. Big data is typically stored in a spreadsheet. B. Small data focuses on short, well-defined time periods. Big data focuses on change over a long period of time. C. Small data involves datasets concerned with a small number of specific metrics. Big data involves datasets that are larger and less specific. D. Small data is effective for analyzing day-to-day decisions. Big data is effective for analyzing more substantial decisions.

B. Small data focuses on short, well-defined time periods. Big data focuses on change over a long period of time. *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. C. Small data involves datasets concerned with a small number of specific metrics. Big data involves datasets that are larger and less specific. *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. D. Small data is effective for analyzing day-to-day decisions. Big data is effective for analyzing more substantial decisions. *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.

A time-bound SMART question specifies which of the following parameters? A. The metrics or measures related to the analysis B. The era, phase, or period of analysis C. The topic or subject of the analysis D. The desired change the analysis should produce

B. The era, phase, or period of analysis

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data? A. Qualitative data is about the quality of a product or service. Quantitative data is about how much of that product or service is available. B. Qualitative data describes the kind of data being analyzed. Quantitative data describes how much data is being analyzed. C. Qualitative data can be used to measure qualities and characteristics. Quantitative data can be used to measure numerical facts. D. Qualitative data is specific. Quantitative data is subjective.

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

A data analyst identifies and classifies keywords from customer reviews to improve customer satisfaction. This is an example of which problem type? A. Finding patterns B. Spotting something unusual C. Making predictions D. Categorizing things

D. Categorizing things

Finding patterns is one of the six problem types data analysts aim to solve. This type of problem might involve which of the following? A. Noticing something outside of the ordinary B. Taking categorized items and grouping them into broader topic areas C. Analyzing how one action leads to or affects another D. Identifying trends from historical data

D. Identifying trends from historical data

A data analyst is working for a local power company. Recently, many new apartments have been built in the community, so the company wants to determine how much electricity it needs to produce for the new residents in the future. A data analyst uses data to help the company make a more informed forecast. This is an example of which problem type? A. Discovering connections B. Identifying themes C. Spotting something unusual D. Making predictions

D. Making predictions

Which of the following examples would be determined using qualitative data? A. The frequency of hurricanes per year in Louisiana B. The number of commuters who take the train to work C. The annual rainfall in Costa Rica D. The most well-liked make and model of car in Puerto Rico

D. The most well-liked make and model of car in Puerto Rico

While considering a research question, a data analyst follows the SMART methodology. They limit their analysis to include data from July 2012 to August 2012. What component of the SMART framework describes this decision? A. Topical B. Targeted C. Thoughtful D. Time-bound

D. Time-bound

A data analyst at a social media company is creating questions for a focus group. They use common abbreviations such as PLS for "please" and LMK for "let me know." This is fair because the participants use social media a lot and are likely to be technically savvy. True False

False

While creating data visualizations for a slideshow, a data analyst considers, "What would help a stakeholder understand this data better?" The analyst is in the analyze step of the data analysis process. True False

False

Which of the following examples are vague questions? Select all that apply. A. Who was the greatest of all time? B. Do you generally prefer hot or cold? C. What's the best place to purchase the things we need? D. How much time did you spend waiting in line?

B. Do you generally prefer hot or cold? C. What's the best place to purchase the things we need?

In the SMART methodology, questions that encourage change are described how? A. Relevant B. Time-bound C. Specific D. Action-oriented

D. Action-oriented

A recycling center that sponsors a podcast about saving the environment is an example of what strategy? A. Making recommendations B. Staying on budget C. Defining the problem to be solved D. Trying to reach a target audience

D. Trying to reach a target audience

Questions that make assumptions often involve concepts that are formed without evidence. For example, an idea that is accepted as true without proof. True False

True

A data analyst working for a mid-sized retailer is writing questions for a customer experience survey. One of the questions is: "Do you prefer online or in-store?" Then, they rewrite it to say: "Do you prefer shopping at our online marketplace or shopping at your local store?" Describe why this is a more effective question. A. The first question contains slang that might not make sense to everyone, whereas the second question is easily understandable. B. The first question is leading, whereas the second question could have many different answers. C. The first question is vague, whereas the second question includes important context. D. The first question is closed-ended, whereas the second question encourages the respondent to elaborate.

C. The first question is vague, whereas the second question includes important context.

Which of the following questions make assumptions? Select all that apply. A. Wouldn't you agree that product A is better than product B? B. Keeping employees engaged is important, isn't it? C. It must be frustrating waiting on hold for so long, right? D. Did you get through to customer service?

B. Keeping employees engaged is important, isn't it? C. It must be frustrating waiting on hold for so long, right?

Fill in the blank: In data analytics, qualitative data _____. Select all that apply. A. is specific B. measures numerical facts C. is subjective D. Qualitative data is subjective and measures qualities and characteristics. E. measures qualities and characteristics

C. is subjective E. measures qualities and characteristics

In data analytics, how are dashboards different from reports? A. Dashboards contain static data. Reports contain data that is constantly changing. B. Dashboards provide a high level look at historical data. Reports provide a more detailed look at live, interactive data. C. Dashboards monitor live, incoming data from multiple datasets and organize the information into one central location. Reports are static collections of data. D. Dashboards are used to share updates with stakeholders only periodically. Reports give stakeholders continuous access to data.

C. Dashboards monitor live, incoming data from multiple datasets and organize the information into one central location. Reports are static collections of data.

A data analyst at an online retailer works with historical sales data. The analyst identifies repeating trends in the sales data. This is an example of which problem type? A. Finding patterns B. Making predictions C. Categorizing things D. Identifying themes

A. Finding patterns

Fill in the blank: Data-inspired decision-making explores different data sources to find _____. A. problems B. predictions C. commonalities D. outlier

C. commonalities

Categorizing things is one of the six problem types data analysts solve. This type of problem might involve which of the following actions? A. Analyzing how one action leads to or affects another B. Noticing something outside of the ordinary C. Using data to envision how something might happen in the future D. Classifying or grouping items

D. Classifying or grouping items

In the function =SUM(G1:G35), identify the range. A. =SUM(G1) B. =SUM C. G35 D. G1:G35

D. G1:G35

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

True

Describe the key difference between the problem types of categorizing things and identifying themes. A. Categorizing things involves assigning items to categories. Identifying themes takes those categories a step further, grouping them into broader themes. B. Categorizing things involves taking inventory of items. Identifying themes deals with creating labels for items. C. Categorizing things involves determining how items are different from each other. Identifying themes brings different items back together in a single group. D. Categorizing things involves assigning grades to items. Identifying themes involves creating new classifications for items.

A. Categorizing things involves assigning items to categories. Identifying themes takes those categories a step further, grouping them into broader themes.

The question, "Why was the Monday afternoon yoga class successful?" is not measurable. Which of the following questions presents a measurable way to learn about the yoga class? A. How many customers responded to our half-price yoga promotion? B. Why do people like taking yoga classes on Mondays? C. Do yoga instructors seem more energetic at the beginning of the week? D. Is yoga a great way to stretch and strengthen your body?

A. How many customers responded to our half-price yoga promotion?

A data analyst uses the SMART methodology to create a question that encourages change. This type of question can be described how? A. Stimulating B. Motivational C. Results-focused D. Action-oriented

D. Action-oriented