Course 2 - Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions Flashcards
Action-oriented question
A question whose answers lead to change
Algorithm
A process or set of rules followed for a specific task
Analytical skills
Qualities and characteristics associated with using facts to solve problems
Analytical thinking
The process of identifying and defining a problem, then solving it by using data in an organized, step-by-step manner
Attribute
A characteristic or quality of data used to label a column in a table
AVERAGE
A spreadsheet function that returns an average of the values from a selected range
Big data
Large, complex datasets typically involving long periods of time, which enable data analysts to address far-reaching business problems
Borders
Lines that can be added around two or more cells on a spreadsheet
Business task
The question or problem that data analysis resolves for a business
Cell reference
A cell or a range of cells in a worksheet typically used in formulas and functions
Cloud
A place to keep data online, rather than a computer hard drive
Context
The condition in which something exists or happens
COUNT
A spreadsheet function that counts the number of cells in a range that meet a specific criteria
Dashboard
A tool that monitors live, incoming data
Data
A collection of facts
Data analysis
The collection, transformation, and organization of data in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
Data analysis process
The six phases of ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act whose purpose is to gain insights that drive informed decision-making
Data analyst
Someone who collects, transforms, and organizes data in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
Data analytics
The science of data
Data design
How information is organized
Data-driven decision-making
Using facts to guide business strategy
Data ecosystem
The various elements that interact with one another in order to produce, manage, store, organize, analyze, and share data
Data-inspired decision-making
Exploring different data sources to find out what they have in common
Data life cycle
The sequence of stages that data experiences, which include plan, capture, manage, analyze, archive, and destroy
Data science
A field of study that uses raw data to create new ways of modeling and understanding the unknown
Data strategy
The management of the people, processes, and tools used in data analysis
Data visualization
The graphical representation of data
Database
A collection of data stored in a computer system
Dataset
A collection of data that can be manipulated or analyzed as one unit
Equation
A calculation that involves addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division (also called a math expression)
Fairness
A quality of data analysis that does not create or reinforce bias
Fill handle
A box in the lower-right-hand corner of a selected spreadsheet cell that can be dragged through neighboring cells in order to continue an instruction
Filtering
The process of showing only the data that meets a specified criteria while hiding the rest
Formula
A set of instructions used to perform a calculation using the data in a spreadsheet
Function
A preset command that automatically performs a specified process or task using the data in a spreadsheet
Gap analysis
A method for examining and evaluating the current state of a process in order to identify opportunities for improvement in the future
Header
The first row in a spreadsheet that labels the type of data in each column
Leading question
A question that steers people toward a certain response
Math expression
A calculation that involves addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division (also called an equation)
Math function
A function that is used as part of a mathematical formula
MAX
A spreadsheet function that returns the largest numeric value from a range of cells
Measurable question
A question whose answers can be quantified and assessed
Metric
A single, quantifiable type of data that is used for measurement
Metric goal
A measurable goal set by a company and evaluated using metrics
MIN
A spreadsheet function that returns the smallest numeric value from a range of cells
Observation
The attributes that describe a piece of data contained in a row of a table
Open data
Data that is available to the public
Operator
A symbol that names the operation or calculation to be performed
Order of operations
Using parentheses to group together spreadsheet values in order to clarify the order in which operations should be performed
Pivot chart
A chart created from the fields in a pivot table
Pivot table
A data summarization tool used to sort, reorganize, group, count, total, or average data
Problem domain
The area of analysis that encompasses every activity affecting or affected by a problem
Problem types
The various problems that data analysts encounter, including categorizing things, discovering connections, finding patterns, identifying themes, making predictions, and spotting something unusual
Qualitative data
A subjective and explanatory measure of a quality or characteristic
Quantitative data
A specific and objective measure, such as a number, quantity, or range
Query
A request for data or information from a database
Query language
A computer programming language used to communicate with a database
Range
A collection of two or more cells in a spreadsheet
Reframing
Restating a problem or challenge, then redirecting it toward a potential resolution
Relevant question
A question that has significance to the problem to be solved
Report
A static collection of data periodically given to stakeholders
Return on investment (ROI)
A formula that uses the metrics of investment and profit to evaluate the success of an investment
Revenue
The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods or services
Root cause
The reason why a problem occurs
Scope of work (SOW)
An agreed-upon outline of the tasks to be performed during a project
Small data
Small, specific data points typically involving a short period of time, which are useful for making day-to-day decisions
SMART methodology
A tool for determining a question’s effectiveness based on whether it is specific, measurable, action-oriented, relevant, and time-bound
Sorting
The process of arranging data into a meaningful order to make it easier to understand, analyze, and visualize
Specific question
A question that is simple, significant, and focused on a single topic or a few closely related ideas
Spreadsheet
A digital worksheet
SQL
Refer to Structured Query Language
Stakeholders
People who invest time and resources into a project and are interested in its outcome
Structured Query Language
A computer programming language used to communicate with a database
Structured thinking
The process of recognizing the current problem or situation, organizing available information, revealing gaps and opportunities, and identifying options
SUM
A spreadsheet function that adds the values of a selected range of cells
Technical mindset
The ability to break things down into smaller steps or pieces and work with them in an orderly and logical way
Time-bound question
A question that specifies a timeframe to be studied
Turnover rate
The rate at which employees voluntarily leave a company
Unfair question
A question that makes assumptions or is difficult to answer honestly
Visualization
Refer to data visualization
