• University of Leeds
  • 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.

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21,235 enrolled on this course

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Included in an ExpertTrack

    Course 3 of 3
  • Get full ExpertTrack access

    $39/monthFind out 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.

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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.

What topics will you cover?

  • Explore the notion of data and what that actually means
  • Learn the key terminology related to dealing with data
  • Explore how data can be used to solve problems
  • Explore individual sets of data that can be brought together to form datasets, which can then be used for greater insights
  • Explore the ethics and rules of using other people’s data
  • Learn how to turn data into something visual and easy to understand

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

  • Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
  • Complete each course and pass assessments.
  • Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
  • Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
  • Make your career dreams a reality.

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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.

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.

Institute of Coding

The Institute of Coding is a family of learners, businesses and educators creating a new way to develop the digital skills needed at work and beyond.

Endorsers and supporters

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About this ExpertTrack

Build decision-making skills using design thinking, data, and planning to help you solve problems in the workplace and beyond.

Start learning today - free 7-day trial

After your free trial you can:

  • Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
  • Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
  • Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
  • Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
  • Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
  • Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
  • Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

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

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