Get an introduction to data science and learn how to make the most of your data through effective data wrangling and storytelling.

  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    12 hours

Get to grips with big data and the data analysis workflow

Once data has been collected, the next crucial step is to extract its value.

On this course, you’ll explore the importance of data analysis in modern society, how to analyse data effectively, and the challenges that come with analysing big data.

You’ll learn the fundamental techniques of data wrangling, quality evaluation, and workflow for effective data analysis.

You’ll also consider the concept of data visualisation through data stories, and discover the potential impact of data storytelling for communicating data insights.

What topics will you cover?

  • Data science and data in society
  • Characterising data types and data formats
  • What is big data?
  • Data wrangling: the language of data rearranging and summarising
  • Data analysis workflow
  • Introduction to data stories and data storytelling

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the roles, characteristics and formats of data
  • Apply web scraping to collect data
  • Demonstrate effective techniques to wrangle data into tidy format in preparation for visualisation and modelling
  • Explain data analysis workflow and utilise the principle of reproducibility
  • Identify and explain the structure and technology of data reporting
  • Explain the concept of Data Storytelling

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in using data to inform decision-making.

It would be useful to have studied an undergraduate unit in statistics or have an understanding of statistical concepts.

Who will you learn with?

Di Cook is Professor of Business Analytics at Monash University. She is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association, and elected Member of the R Foundation.

Who developed the course?

Monash University

Monash University is one of Australia’s leading universities, ranked in the world’s top 1% by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It was established in Melbourne in 1958.

  • Established

    1958
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 60Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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