What background is required?

No prior experience with spreadsheets or data analytics is required. All you need is high-school level math and a curiosity about how things work.

What tools and platforms are taught in the curriculum?

You'll learn to use analysis tools and platforms such as spreadsheets (Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel), SQL, presentation tools (Powerpoint or Google Slides), Tableau, Python, and Kaggle.

Which “spreadsheet” platform is being taught?

Learners can self-select which platform they want to use throughout the program: Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. It’s up to the learner’s preference, and all activities throughout the syllabus can be performed on either platform.

Do you need to take each course in course order?

We highly recommend completing the courses in the order presented because the content in each course builds on information from earlier lessons.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

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Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions

This course is part of Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Instructor: Google Career Certificates

1,491,109 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

35,108 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

35,108 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Explain how the problem-solving road map applies to typical analysis scenarios.
Discuss the use of data in the decision-making process.
Demonstrate the use of spreadsheets to complete basic tasks of the data analyst including entering and organizing data.
Describe the key ideas associated with structured thinking.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Dashboard

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

24 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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Build your Data Analysis expertise

This course is part of the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Google

There are 4 modules in this course

This is the second course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. You’ll build on your understanding of the topics that were introduced in the first course of this certificate program. The material will help you learn how to ask effective questions, make data-driven decisions, and meet stakeholders’ needs. Current Google data analysts will instruct and provide you with hands-on ways to accomplish common data analytics tasks.

Learners who complete this certificate program will be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as data analysts. No previous experience is necessary. By the end of this course, you will: - Learn about effective questioning techniques that can help guide analysis. - Gain an understanding of data-driven decision-making and how data analysts present findings. - Explore a variety of real-world business scenarios as an example of questioning and decision-making. - Discover how and why spreadsheets are an important tool for data analysts. - Examine the key ideas associated with structured thinking and how they can help analysts better understand problems and develop solutions. - Learn strategies for managing the expectations of stakeholders while establishing clear communication with a data analytics team to achieve business objectives.

Data analysts are constantly asking questions in order to find solutions and identify business potential. In this part of the course, you’ll learn about effective questioning techniques that will help guide your analysis.

What's included

8 videos6 readings6 assignments1 plugin

8 videos Total 35 minutes

Introduction to problem-solving and effective questioning 3 minutes
Data in action 5 minutes
Nikki: The data process works 2 minutes
Common problem types 6 minutes
Continue exploring business applications 7 minutes
Anmol: From hypothesis to outcome 2 minutes
SMART questions 7 minutes
Evan: Data opens doors 3 minutes

6 readings Total 40 minutes

Course 2 overview 8 minutes
Helpful resources and tips 4 minutes
From issue to action: The six data analysis phases 8 minutes
Six common problem types 8 minutes
More about SMART questions 8 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 1 4 minutes

6 assignments Total 104 minutes

Test your knowledge on taking action with data 8 minutes
Test your knowledge on solving problems with data 8 minutes
Self-Reflection: Practice working SMART 20 minutes
Self-Reflection: Ask your own SMART questions 20 minutes
Test your knowledge on crafting effective questions 8 minutes
Module 1 challenge 40 minutes

1 plugin Total 10 minutes

Name the problem type 10 minutes

In analytics, data drives decision-making, and this is your opportunity to explore data of all kinds and its impact on all sorts of business decisions. You’ll also learn how to effectively share your data through reports and dashboards.

What's included

6 videos6 readings5 assignments

6 videos Total 25 minutes

Data and decisions 1 minute
How data empowers decisions 5 minutes
Qualitative and quantitative data 4 minutes
The big reveal: Sharing your findings 5 minutes
Data versus metrics 4 minutes
Mathematical thinking 5 minutes

6 readings Total 40 minutes

Data trials and triumphs 8 minutes
Qualitative and quantitative data in business 8 minutes
Tools for visualizing data 8 minutes
Design compelling dashboards 8 minutes
Big and small data 4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 2 4 minutes

5 assignments Total 84 minutes

Test your knowledge on the power of data 8 minutes
Self-Reflection: Go deeper into dashboards 20 minutes
Test your knowledge on following the evidence 8 minutes
Test your knowledge on connecting the data dots 8 minutes
Module 2 challenge 40 minutes

Spreadsheets are a key data analytics tool. Here you’ll learn both why and how data analysts use spreadsheets in their work. You’ll also investigate how structured thinking helps analysts understand problems and come up with solutions.

What's included

9 videos10 readings10 assignments1 plugin

9 videos Total 41 minutes

The amazing spreadsheet 2 minutes
Get to work with spreadsheets 2 minutes
Basic spreadsheet tasks 5 minutes
Formulas for success 7 minutes
Spreadsheet errors and fixes 8 minutes
Functions 101 6 minutes
Before solving a problem, understand it 2 minutes
Scope of work and structured thinking 5 minutes
Staying objective 4 minutes

10 readings Total 68 minutes

Spreadsheets and the data life cycle 8 minutes
Step-by-Step: Basic spreadsheet tasks 4 minutes
Learn more about spreadsheet basics 8 minutes
Step-by-Step: Formulas for success 8 minutes
Quick Reference: Formulas in spreadsheets 8 minutes
More about spreadsheet errors and fixes 8 minutes
Step-by-Step: Functions 101 8 minutes
Quick Reference: Functions in spreadsheets 8 minutes
The importance of context 4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 3 4 minutes

10 assignments Total 304 minutes

Hands-On Activity: Introduction to Google Sheets 60 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Data analysis and formulas: Bakery sales insights 20 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Resolve spreadsheet errors 20 minutes
Test your knowledge on using formulas in spreadsheets 8 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Create a custom data table 60 minutes
Test your knowledge on using functions in spreadsheets 8 minutes
Hands-On Activity: Create a scope of work 60 minutes
Self-Reflection: Work with datasets 20 minutes
Test your knowledge on structured thinking 8 minutes
Module 3 challenge 40 minutes

1 plugin Total 10 minutes

Creating a scope of work 10 minutes

Successful data analysts balance the needs and expectations of their team and the stakeholders they support. In this part of the course, you’ll learn strategies for managing stakeholder expectations while establishing clear communication with your team.

What's included

14 videos8 readings3 assignments1 plugin

14 videos Total 51 minutes

Communicating with your team 1 minute
Balance needs and expectations across your team 5 minutes
Focus on what matters 5 minutes
Clear communication is key 4 minutes
Tips for effective communication 6 minutes
Navigate expectations and realistic project goals 4 minutes
Sarah: How to communicate with stakeholders 3 minutes
The data tradeoff: Speed versus accuracy 4 minutes
Think about your process and outcome 3 minutes
Meeting best practices 6 minutes
Ximena: Joining a new team 2 minutes
From conflict to collaboration 4 minutes
Nathan: From the U.S. Marine Corps to data analytics 3 minutes
Congratulations! Course wrap-up 1 minute

8 readings Total 40 minutes

Working with stakeholders 8 minutes
Use multiple communication strategies to reach your audience 4 minutes
Limitations of data 8 minutes
Lead great meetings 8 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 4 2 minutes
Reflect and connect with peers 4 minutes
Course 2 glossary 2 minutes
Coming up next... 4 minutes

3 assignments Total 56 minutes

Test your knowledge on clear communication 8 minutes
Test your knowledge on teamwork 8 minutes
Module 4 challenge 40 minutes

1 plugin Total 10 minutes

Understanding stakeholder roles 10 minutes

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Reviewed on Oct 3, 2021

It’s a great course, helps, and in light me more than I expected in what to focus my question and who and when I ask especially the type of the question and the level of the people I should ask.

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2021

I just finished the 2nd Course in the Google Data Analyst course - even though I have experience in the field, this course reminded of areas that I should focus on and work to strengthen my skills in.

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2021

It was a good course, I didnt know anything related to data analysis, and since I started these courses I've been able build up my skills, mind you I've haven't put it into practice in reality yet.

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Frequently asked questions

Data is a group of facts that can take many different forms, such as numbers, pictures, words, videos, observations, and more. We use and create data everyday, like when we stream a show or song or post on social media.

Data analytics is the collection, transformation, and organization of these facts to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making.

The amount of data created each day is tremendous. Any time you use your phone, look up something online, stream music, shop with a credit card, post on social media, or use GPS to map a route, you’re creating data. Companies must continually adjust their products, services, tools, and business strategies to meet consumer demand and react to emerging trends. Because of this, data analyst roles are in demand and competitively paid.

Data analysts make sense of data and numbers to help organizations make better business decisions. They prepare, process, analyze, and visualize data, discovering patterns and trends and answering key questions along the way. Their work empowers their wider team to make better business decisions.

You will learn the skill set required for becoming a junior or associate data analyst in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. Data analysts know how to ask the right question; prepare, process, and analyze data for key insights; effectively share their findings with stakeholders; and provide data-driven recommendations for thoughtful action.

You’ll learn these job-ready skills in our certificate program through interactive content (discussion prompts, quizzes, and activities) in under six months, with under 10 hours of flexible study a week. Along the way, you'll work through a curriculum designed with input from top employers and industry leaders, like Tableau, Accenture, and Deloitte. You’ll even have the opportunity to complete a case study that you can share with potential employers to showcase your new skill set.

After you’ve graduated from the program, you’ll have access to career resources and be connected directly with employers hiring for open entry-level roles in data analytics.

You don't need to be a math all-star to succeed in this certificate. You need to be curious and open to learning with numbers (the language of data analysts). Being a strong data analyst is more than just math, it's about asking the right questions, finding the best sources to answer your questions effectively, and illustrating your findings clearly in visualizations.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.