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: Free Trial
Microsoft
Introduction to JavaScript Programming
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Data Validation, Javascript, Data Structures, Scripting, Program Development, Programming Principles, Web Development Tools, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Environment, Maintainability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Business Administration (iMBA)
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, Data Collection, Corporate Tax
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
O.P. Jindal Global University
M.A. Public Policy
Skills you'll gain: Econometrics, Surveys, Environmental Laws, Sampling (Statistics), Social Sciences, Public Policies, Political Sciences, Data Collection, Health Disparities, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Economic Development, Policy Analysis, Presentations, Diplomacy, International Relations, Economics, Complex Problem Solving, Immigration Law, Research Methodologies, Socioeconomics
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: New
Coursera
Facebook Strategy: Effective Content
Skills you'll gain: Content Performance Analysis, Facebook, Social Media Content, Target Audience, Content Strategy, Social Media Strategy, Social Media, Customer Insights, Content Creation, Digital Media Strategy, Media Planning, Goal Setting
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning Algorithms, Real-Time Operating Systems, Big Data, User Research, User Experience Design, Product Development, User Experience, Power Electronics, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Verification And Validation, UI/UX Research, Analytics, Human Computer Interaction, Embedded Systems, Control Systems, Internet Of Things, User Interface (UI), Machine Controls, Embedded Software
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Status: New
Coursera
Facebook Optimization: Grow Your Presence
Skills you'll gain: Content Performance Analysis, Facebook, Marketing Analytics, Social Media Content, Social Media Marketing, Content Strategy, Online Advertising, Performance Metric, Business Metrics, Scalability, Revenue Management, Data-Driven Decision-Making
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
SD-WAN: Optimizing Network Performance & Security
Skills you'll gain: Software-Defined Networking, Network Architecture, Network Planning And Design, Wide Area Networks, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Security, Network Performance Management, Network Infrastructure, Firewall, Network Routing, Encryption, Real Time Data
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Advanced UX Strategies for Product Managers
Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Strategy, User Experience, User Experience Design, Design and Product, Data Storytelling, Experience Design, User Centered Design, Usability Testing, Product Improvement, User Research, Human Centered Design, Design Research, Figma (Design Software), User Feedback, Wireframing, Customer experience improvement, Prioritization
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Instagram Analytics: Optimize Performance
Skills you'll gain: Instagram, Content Performance Analysis, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Content Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Brand Awareness, Competitive Analysis, Drive Engagement
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Engineering in Engineering Management
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, User Story, Real-Time Operating Systems, Model Based Systems Engineering, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), New Product Development, Delegation Skills, Failure Analysis, Sampling (Statistics), Supplier Management, Sustainability Reporting, Accountability, Data Ethics, Data Mining, Statistical Modeling, Unsupervised Learning, Supervised Learning, Goal Setting, Generative AI, Process Capability
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of North Texas
Bachelor of Science in General Business
Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Mediation, Compensation and Benefits, Integrated Marketing Communications, Organizational Change, Event Management, Grammar, Sales Process, Data Mining, Data Visualization, Design Thinking, Global Marketing, Probability & Statistics, Cultural Diversity, Digital Media Strategy, Organizational Leadership, Political Sciences, Social Justice, Music History, Sociology
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of London
Graduate Diploma in Computer Science
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Reality, Human Computer Interaction, Game Design, Full-Stack Web Development, React Native, Agile Software Development, Animations, Data Ethics, Git (Version Control System), Event-Driven Programming, Network Security, Web Applications, Data Science, Natural Language Processing, Unsupervised Learning, Combinatorics, Database Design, Web Development, Generative AI, Usability Testing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months