What is data collection?

Data collection is the systematic process of gathering information like observations or measurements while doing research. When you’re performing research, you’re likely looking for answers to a question you have. When it comes to data collection, digging beyond the surface tells an intriguing story. Collecting data about what you’re researching can help you gain more insight into the details and information that’ll help you answer that question. Although it’s particularly useful in science-related applications, the beauty of data collection is that you can use it to discover answers to almost any query you dream up.

Why learn data collection?

Data are important for helping you (and others, and even computers) make all sorts of different decisions. It helps scientists learn whether their studies are working and assists marketers in sending the right messages to the right people. It's what lets us know if something new we tried is really working. As information becomes digitized, it becomes data that we can use in a variety of ways to accomplish whatever we’ve set out to do. But in order to do that, we need to gather the data first. Without data collection to compile that information, we can’t be truly efficient in analyzing those details — what if something is missing? If you’re aiming to understand how research is conducted and decisions are made, it’s essential to learn about data collection’s role.

What career opportunities can arise from learning data collection?

Almost every career that involves data provides opportunities for collecting those data, even if the primary focus isn’t only collecting data. A multitude of different analyst roles require plenty of time spent gathering data, whether you choose to work in fields like marketing, human resources or business or you’re specifically interested in working as a data scientist — someone who directs their efforts toward compiling data and translating it into information that others can use to make decisions. Even working as an actuary — a professional who assesses risks, often in insurance fields — allows you to focus much of your time on dealing with data. But these careers are just the beginning; dozens more give you the opportunity to collect data, so it’s an important skill to have and concept to understand even if it’s not the primary focus of your work.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn data collection?

If you’re looking to boost your data literacy, taking our online classes provides a worthwhile opportunity to pursue your goals whenever it’s most convenient for you. Online courses give you the time and space you need to complete coursework from home while also providing you access to learning materials created by accomplished instructors and other field experts. You’ll enjoy learning the basic frameworks of data collection and analysis as you’re getting started learning about this topic by discovering the role of research, analysis and collection techniques. As you advance, you might choose to study more complex topics like utilizing the Python programming language to create programs that fetch and analyze data. And with a variety of learning programs, from certificates to specializations to course credits for college degrees, you can formalize your data analysis accomplishments as you continue to build skills.

Top Data Collection Courses - Learn Data Collection Online

Explore the Data Collection Course Catalog

Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Generative AI Cybersecurity & Privacy for Leaders
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Crisis Management, Productivity, Incident Response, AI Personalization, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Service, Large Language Modeling, Business Ethics, Information Privacy, Personally Identifiable Information, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Threat Detection, Expense Management, Threat Modeling, Creative Thinking, Cyber Security Strategy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Prompt Engineering for Educators
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Productivity, Creative Problem-Solving, Generative AI, AI Personalization, Data Synthesis, Image Analysis, Data Capture, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Brainstorming, OpenAI, Large Language Modeling, Game Design, Data Analysis, Organizational Skills, Education Software and Technology, Computer Vision, Data Storytelling
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.5K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity
Skills you'll gain: IT Service Management, Cloud Computing, Information Technology Infrastructure Library, Malware Protection, Identity and Access Management, Linux, Incident Response, Networking Hardware, TCP/IP, Cybersecurity, Linux Administration, Network Security, Network Protocols, Computer Security Incident Management, Cloud Security, Operating Systems, Endpoint Detection and Response, Cyber Risk, Data Ethics, Cyber Governance
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
Skills you'll gain: Systems Administration, Cloud Infrastructure, IT Infrastructure, Lightweight Directory Access Protocols, Active Directory, Disaster Recovery, Server Administration, Data Storage Technologies, Cloud Computing, Servers, System Configuration, Technical Support and Services, Virtualization, User Accounts
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
26K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Meta Back-End Developer
Skills you'll gain: Django (Web Framework), Full-Stack Web Development, Version Control, Restful API, Data Structures, Unix Commands, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Git (Version Control System), Back-End Web Development, GitHub, Web Design and Development, Relational Databases, Front-End Web Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Database Management Systems, SQL, Database Design, Unit Testing, Algorithms, Web Development
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
9.2K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Prompt Engineering for Law
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Productivity, AI Personalization, Law Practice Management Software, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence, Personalized Service, Large Language Modeling, Legal Writing, Legal Research, Data Ethics, Expense Management, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Productivity Software, Legal Support, Brainstorming, Travel Arrangements
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
ChatGPT + Zapier: AI-Powered Email Mastery
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Productivity, Calendar Management, Organizational Skills, Gmail, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, HubSpot CRM, Business Process Automation, Google Sheets, Google Workspace, Data Integration, Automation, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Brainstorming, Google Docs, Workflow Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Health Information Literacy for Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Integration, Data Dictionary, Data Validation, Health Informatics, Data Modeling, Extract, Transform, Load, Health Systems, Data Management, Metadata Management, Data Compilation, Health Care, Analytics, Data Mapping, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Health Information Management, Taxonomy
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
270 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Statistics for Data Science with Python
Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Probability Distribution, Statistics, Data Visualization, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Data Science, Matplotlib, Exploratory Data Analysis, Probability, Correlation Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Jupyter
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
436 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Data Analysis with Spreadsheets and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Spreadsheet Software, Correlation Analysis, Google Sheets, Pivot Tables And Charts, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Data Storytelling, Tableau Software, Descriptive Statistics, Data Cleansing, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Statistical Analysis, SQL
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
228 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Getting Started with Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Productivity Software, Microsoft 365
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Meta Android Developer
Skills you'll gain: React Native, Android Studio, Restful API, Version Control, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Git (Version Control System), Data Structures, Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Unix Commands, Android Jetpack, Android Development, Persona (User Experience), GitHub, Interaction Design, Kotlin, User Experience Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, User Interface (UI), Mobile Development
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8.6K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months