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

University of Colorado Boulder
Semiconductor Photonics Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Power Electronics, Display Devices, Control Systems, Computer Displays, Electronic Systems, Systems Design, Technical Design, Electronic Components, Electronics, Basic Electrical Systems, Electric Power Systems, Electrical Power, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Electronic Hardware, Equipment Design, Electronics Engineering, Systems Analysis, Electrical Engineering, Simulations
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, User Story, New Product Development, Systems Engineering, Real-Time Operating Systems, Unsupervised Learning, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Failure Analysis, Delegation Skills, Sampling (Statistics), Supplier Management, Sustainability Reporting, Accountability, Data Ethics, Data Mining, Goal Setting, Proposal Writing, Generative AI, Process Capability, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Colorado Boulder
Engineering Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: User Story, Supplier Management, Project Schedules, Sustainability Reporting, Project Closure, Goal Setting, Engineering Management, Financial Analysis, Milestones (Project Management), Financial Statement Analysis, Cost Estimation, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Team Leadership, Stakeholder Management, Agile Project Management, Self-Awareness, Capital Budgeting, Personal Development, Project Risk Management, Cost Management
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Google Cloud
Responsible AI for Developers: Fairness & Bias - Polski
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Open Source Technology, Google Cloud Platform, Tensorflow
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Science in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, User Story, New Product Development, Systems Engineering, Real-Time Operating Systems, Unsupervised Learning, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Failure Analysis, Delegation Skills, Sampling (Statistics), Supplier Management, Sustainability Reporting, Accountability, Data Ethics, Data Mining, Goal Setting, Proposal Writing, Generative AI, Process Capability, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: New
Starweaver
Credit Risk Analysis and Underwriting
Skills you'll gain: Credit Risk, Lending and Underwriting, Underwriting, Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Business Risk Management, Financial Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling, Stakeholder Communications, Performance Measurement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Macquarie University
AI for Cyber Security
Skills you'll gain: Anomaly Detection, Cyber Threat Hunting, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Cybersecurity, Network Security, Threat Detection, Applied Machine Learning, Malware Protection, Network Analysis, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Supervised Learning
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Northeastern University
Master of Science in Information Systems
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership & Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Financial Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Value Chain Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months