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 Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics
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
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
JavaScript Data and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Javascript, Application Programming Interface (API), JSON, Restful API, Web Applications, Software Testing, Performance Tuning, Unit Testing, Debugging, Maintainability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Course
Status: New
University of Virginia
Coding Data Models with AI
Skills you'll gain: Model View Controller, Version Control, Data Modeling, OpenAI, NoSQL, ChatGPT, Application Deployment, Software Development Tools, Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Databases, Database Development, Database Design, Artificial Intelligence, Integrated Development Environments, Secure Coding
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing
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
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
R Programming Essentials with Microsoft Tools
Skills you'll gain: GitHub, Data Manipulation, Git (Version Control System), Software Documentation, Microsoft Development Tools, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Copilot, Data Import/Export, R Programming, Statistical Reporting, Statistical Analysis, Data Cleansing, Integrated Development Environments, Programming Principles, Debugging, Data Structures
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of London
Master of Science in Cyber Security
Skills you'll gain: Key Management, Security Management, Human Factors (Security), Infrastructure Security, Information Privacy, Cyber Governance, Application Security, Network Security, Threat Modeling, Cryptography, OSI Models, Security Testing, Computer Security Incident Management, Cyber Security Policies, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, ISO/IEC 27001, Authorization (Computing), Penetration Testing, Data Literacy, Data Collection
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
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, International Relations, Diplomacy, Economics, Complex Problem Solving, Research Methodologies, Socioeconomics, Governance
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
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
O.P. Jindal Global University
M.A. in International Relations, Security, and Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Diplomacy, Surveys, Intelligence Collection and Analysis, Risk Mitigation, Environmental Laws, Environment, Qualitative Research, Sampling (Statistics), R Programming, Political Sciences, Economic Development, International Relations, Cybersecurity, Socioeconomics, Governance, Public Safety and National Security, Mitigation, Ancient History, Social Sciences, Conflict Management
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Michigan
Master of Public Health
Skills you'll gain: Motivational Interviewing, Epidemiology, Health Disparities, Spatial Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Program Evaluation, Sampling (Statistics), Mergers & Acquisitions, Survey Creation, Child Health, Growth Mindedness, Database Design, Variance Analysis, Risk Analysis, Environmental Policy, Spatial Data Analysis, Research Design, Data Collection, Statistical Modeling, Health Policy
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years