• Unit 2: Understanding Data

    Data is only valuable if properly understood. Before crafting visualizations, we first need to take stock of what we have, as data come in all shapes and sizes. This unit will show you commonly encountered data types and how to deal with them.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • identify different types of data;
      • select the proper way to handle each type of data;
      • evaluate the quality of a data set; and
      • prepare data for applications.

      • 2.1: Types of Data

        • Levels of Measurement Page

          Watch the video to view how to measure dependent variables and different types of variables. How can we classify measurements? In this video, you will cover four basic scales of measurement. Pay attention to the definition of each scale, examples, and how or why the scale is used. Think of examples from your own experiences to make a connection to each scale and its use.

        • Data Cleaning Page

          When a data set is missing data, full of mistakes, or in a rough form, data scientists call it "dirty data". Data analysis software will sometimes return an error and not analyze dirty data. In other cases, the software will run an analysis, but the dirty data will bias results. This video will show you how data can become dirty and some ways to clean it. Think about data you have worked with in the past. What errors were present in the data sets?

      • 2.2: Using Data

        • Data-Driven Decision-Making Page

          Big data, "data-driven", and other buzzwords are becoming ubiquitous in modern industry. What do these terms really mean? These videos define these terms and show how they relate to data visualization.

      • Unit 2 Assessment

        • Unit 2 Assessment Quiz
          Receive a grade

          Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

          • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
          • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
          • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.