Do you need to take each course in course order?

We highly recommend taking the courses in the order presented, as the content builds on information from earlier courses. This is the first course in a series of nine courses that make up the Google Data-Driven Decision Making Specialization.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, 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.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Introducing Data Analytics and Analytical Thinking

This course is part of Google Data-Driven Decision Making Specialization

Instructor: Google Career Certificates

4,565 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

34 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

34 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Discuss the use of data in everyday life decisions
Explain the data analysis process, making specific reference to the ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act phases
Define key concepts involved in data analytics including data, data analysis, and data ecosystem
Explain the concept of data-driven decision-making including specific examples

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Add to your LinkedIn profile

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Google Data-Driven Decision Making Specialization

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

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

There are 5 modules in this course

Data is everywhere, but turning it into insight requires more than technical skills. You'll learn about bias and its appearance in data, sharpen your analytical thinking skills, and understand how data ecosystems operate. You’ll learn to question assumptions, interpret findings by combining data and business knowledge, and understand why data-informed decisions empower businesses.

By the end of this course, you will be able to: -Discuss the use of data in everyday life decisions -Explain the data analysis process, making specific reference to the ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act phases -Define key concepts involved in data analytics including data, data analysis, and data ecosystem -Explain the concept of data-driven decision-making including specific examples -Describe the key characteristics of analytical thinking -Explain how analytical thinking enables decision-making -Begin asking more effective questions

Data analysis follows a six-phased process that requires ongoing review and iteration to ensure quality. In this part of the course, you'll learn what data analysis is, what happens after data analysis, and why data science specialization is important.

What's included

2 videos3 readings1 assignment

2 videos Total 9 minutes

Data analytics in everyday life 4 minutes
Cassie: Dimensions of data analytics 5 minutes

3 readings Total 17 minutes

Welcome to “Introducing Data Analytics and Analytical Thinking” 1 minute
New data perspectives 8 minutes
How data analysts approach tasks 8 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Identify data types in a spreadsheet 30 minutes

Data ecosystems bring together multiple elements—hardware, software tools, and users—to serve various purposes like data storage and production. In this part of the course, you'll learn what the data ecosystem is, and why blending data with business knowledge can be useful.

What's included

2 videos2 readings1 assignment

In this part of the course, you'll explore what key analytical skills are required and how to apply them in business scenarios.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment1 plugin

There are many ways to think—creative, abstract—but analytical thinking is crucial. In this part of the course, you'll learn aspects of analytical thinking, what questions data analysts ask when searching for solutions, and why data-driven approaches are more effective.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

Review everything you've learned and take the assessment.

What's included

2 readings1 assignment

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

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Google Career Certificates

Google

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Reviewed on Oct 21, 2025

I truly enjoyed the course, and most importantly, I have learned the foundation of Data Analytics and Analytical Thinking in a short period of time.

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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.

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

You don't need to be a math all-star to succeed in the 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 question 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.