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