• University of Leeds
  • Click Start Logo
  • Institute of Coding logo

Evidence and Data Collection for Problem Solving

Discover the importance of data and how to harness its power to help you make better business decisions.

4,174 enrolled on this course

Evidence and Data Collection for Problem Solving

4,174 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Become a data-driven decision-maker and improve your problem-solving skills

As the digital world plays an increasingly large role in our daily lives, so too does the use of data. It is arguably one of the most valuable commodities in the world, and this two-week course will teach you methods to tap into its potential in your daily life and career.

You’ll be introduced to key data concepts as you learn how to solve everyday problems and make effective decisions using data.

You’ll also develop skills to help you analyse and interpret trends, and produce a plan to solve a real-world problem with evidence and data.

Discover the importance of data collection

To understand why data collection is so valuable, you’ll explore its notion and meaning before learning key terminology.

You’ll consider the differences between data, metadata, and how individual sets of data can come together to form datasets that give you greater insights and an understanding of a situation.

Understand data ethics in real-world situations

It’s important to explore the ethics and rules of using other people’s data so you understand the restrictions to adhere to.

You’ll examine how data is created, shared, and used in surprising ways before debating the ethical considerations of data collection.

You’ll also learn how to present data in a meaningful way that’s easy to understand through data visualisation techniques. To give real-world context to your learning, you’ll study these data concepts through the case study of a small business owner.

Whether you’re entering the world of work or forging a new career for yourself, this course will help prepare you for the fast-moving digital space.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 7 seconds Ryzard Akita: We hear a lot about data. How it’s been stolen from us or used against us is one of the most valuable commodities in the world. Data can often feel like something for analysts or programmers. But you can use the power of data to help you in your daily life and your career. Solving problems with evidence and data will give you the tools to develop useful skills that’ll help you analyse and interpret trends and data. This course is part of a program of three courses into solving problems with technology strand from Future Learn, the Institute of Coding, and the University of Leeds. You’ll be discussing the methods that data gets created, shared, and used in surprising ways.

Skip to 0 minutes and 51 seconds You’ll experiment with using visualizations to make data quicker and easier to understand. Debate the ethics of data collection. And discover just why the data about what you look at on Facebook is so valuable. This course is part of our suite of professional and digital skill courses from the University of Leeds and the Institute of Coding. Covering topics from coding to social media marketing. All available for free to help you build your career today. Whether you’re new to the world of work or forging a new career for yourself, we look forward to sharing your journey into the fast-moving digital space.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    What is data?

    • Welcome to the course

      In these steps, you will find out what you’ll be learning this week and who will be guiding you through the course.

    • Garbage in, garbage out: the importance of interpretation

      In this activity, you will learn some key terms, and explore the relationship between people and data – who works with data today, and the history of data.

    • Using data to solve problems

      This activity will look at how people use data in their work, and the benefits that working with data bring them.

    • Datasets and interpretation

      In this activity you’ll discover how to work with data sets, and how to interpret simple data.

    • Summary

      You’ve reached the end of Week 1. In this activity you’ll reflect on what you’ve covered so far.

  • Week 2

    Using data

    • Welcome to Week 2

      This week you’ll explore how you can work ethically and legally with data, produce a plan to solve a problem with data and evidence, and use visualisation techniques to make data easier to understand.

    • Data and ethics

      In this activity, you will consider how working with data has legal and ethical dimensions.

    • Planning to solve a problem with evidence and data

      In this activity you will produce a plan to solve a problem with evidence and data, get feedback from other learners, and give feedback on someone else’s plan.

    • The role of visualisation techniques when using data

      Presenting your evidence and data well helps you make convincing arguments. These steps explore the tools and techniques you can use to help visualise your data and results.

    • Summary

      You’ve nearly reached the end of the course, so these steps will help you reflect on what you’ve learned.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

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 difference between data, metadata and knowledge
  • Summarise how data is used to solve problems
  • Interpret trends and analyse patterns from a dataset
  • Debate the ethical considerations of data collection
  • Produce a plan to solve a problem with evidence and data
  • Apply a simple visualisation technique to make data easier to understand and work with

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for people looking to work with data to progress in their current role or to enter the digital workplace.

It will help you build confidence in using digital technology and boost your digital skills.

If you’d like to understand this subject further, you may be interested in these courses from the same provider. They share similar subjects and overall learning outcomes:

Who will you learn with?

I'm a creative digital producer and product manager, and helped establish the National Film and Television School’s first digital producing course. I have a secret double life as an artist.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

Click Start

This course is part of Click Start, a nationwide training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) , a national collaboration of universities, employers and charities and funded by Nominet – the public benefit company and guardians of the .UK namespace.

Institute of Coding

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a national collaboration of employers, universities, and charities, on a mission to provide people from all walks of life with access to digital learning and career opportunities.

Endorsers and supporters

funded by

Nominet Logo
Best ValueBest Value - learn more, save more!

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Start learning today

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$54/one-off payment

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerTry this course - with limits
Access to this courseticktick

Limited to 2 weeks

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Tests to check your learningticktickcross
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Best Value - learn more, save more!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 2 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...