Course 2 Google Data Analytics Glossary

Action-oriented question

A question whose answers lead to change

Cloud

A place to keep data online, rather than a computer hard drive

Data analysis process

The six phases of ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act whose purpose is to gain insights that drive informed decision-making

Data life cycle

The sequence of stages that data experiences, which include plan, capture, manage, analyze, archive, and destroy

Leading question

A question that steers people toward a certain response 

Measurable question

A question whose answers can be quantified and assessed

Problem types

The various problems that data analysts encounter, including categorizing things, discovering connections, finding patterns, identifying themes, making predictions, and spotting something unusual

Relevant question

A question that has significance to the problem to be solved

SMART methodology

A tool for determining a question’s effectiveness based on whether it is specific, measurable, action-oriented, relevant, and time-bound

Specific question

A question that is simple, significant, and focused on a single topic or a few closely related ideas

Structured thinking

The process of recognizing the current problem or situation, organizing available information, revealing gaps and opportunities, and identifying options

Time-bound question

A question that specifies a timeframe to be studied 

Unfair question

A question that makes assumptions or is difficult to answer honestly 

Algorithm

A process or set of rules followed for a specific task

Big data

Large, complex datasets typically involving long periods of time, which enable data analysts to address far-reaching business problems

Dashboard

A tool that monitors live, incoming data

Data-inspired decision-making

The process of exploring different data sources to find out what they have in common

Metric

A single, quantifiable type of data that is used for measurement 

Metric goal

A measurable goal set by a company and evaluated using metrics

Pivot chart

A chart created from the fields in a pivot table 

Pivot table

A data summarization tool used to sort, reorganize, group, count, total, or average data

Problem types

The various problems that data analysts encounter, including categorizing things, discovering connections, finding patterns, identifying themes, making predictions, and spotting something unusual

Qualitative data

A subjective and explanatory measure of a quality or characteristic

Quantitative data

A specific and objective measure, such as a number, quantity, or range

Report

A static collection of data periodically given to stakeholders 

Return on investment (ROI)

A formula that uses the metrics of investment and profit to evaluate the success of an investment

Revenue

The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods or services 

Small data

Small, specific data points typically involving a short period of time, which are useful for making day-to-day decisions