Glossary
Terms and definitions from
Course 1
A
Access control: Features such as password protection, user permissions, and encryption that
are used to protect a spreadsheet
Action-oriented question: A question whose answers lead to change
Administrative metadata: Metadata that indicates the technical source of a digital asset
Agenda: A list of scheduled appointments
Algorithm: A process or set of rules followed for a specific task
Analytical skills: Qualities and characteristics associated with using facts to solve problems
Analytical thinking: The process of identifying and defining a problem, then solving it by using
data in an organized, step-by-step manner
Attribute: A characteristic or quality of data used to label a column in a table
Audio file: Digitized audio storage usually in an MP3, AAC, or other compressed format
AVERAGE: A spreadsheet function that returns an average of the values from a selected range
B
Bad data source: A data source that is not reliable, original, comprehensive, current, and cited
(ROCCC)
Bias: A conscious or subconscious preference in favor of or against a person, group of people,
or thing
Big data: Large, complex datasets typically involving long periods of time, which enable data
analysts to address far-reaching business problems
, Boolean data: A data type with only two possible values, usually true or false
Borders: Lines that can be added around two or more cells on a spreadsheet
Business task: The question or problem data analysis resolves for a business
C
Cell reference: A cell or a range of cells in a worksheet typically used in formulas and functions
Cloud: A place to keep data online, rather than a computer hard drive
Confirmation bias: The tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms
pre-existing beliefs
Consent: The aspect of data ethics that presumes an individual’s right to know how and why
their personal data will be used before agreeing to provide it
Context: The condition in which something exists or happens
Continuous data: Data that is measured and can have almost any numeric value
Cookie: A small file stored on a computer that contains information about its users
COUNT: A spreadsheet function that counts the number of cells in a range that meet a specified
criteria
CSV (comma-separated values) file: A delimited text file that uses a comma to separate
values
Currency: The aspect of data ethics that presumes individuals should be aware of financial
transactions resulting from the use of their personal data and the scale of those transactions
D
Dashboard: A tool that monitors live, incoming data
Data: A collection of facts
Data analysis: The collection, transformation, and organization of data in order to draw
conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
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 analyst: Someone who collects, transforms, and organizes data in order to draw
conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
Terms and definitions from
Course 1
A
Access control: Features such as password protection, user permissions, and encryption that
are used to protect a spreadsheet
Action-oriented question: A question whose answers lead to change
Administrative metadata: Metadata that indicates the technical source of a digital asset
Agenda: A list of scheduled appointments
Algorithm: A process or set of rules followed for a specific task
Analytical skills: Qualities and characteristics associated with using facts to solve problems
Analytical thinking: The process of identifying and defining a problem, then solving it by using
data in an organized, step-by-step manner
Attribute: A characteristic or quality of data used to label a column in a table
Audio file: Digitized audio storage usually in an MP3, AAC, or other compressed format
AVERAGE: A spreadsheet function that returns an average of the values from a selected range
B
Bad data source: A data source that is not reliable, original, comprehensive, current, and cited
(ROCCC)
Bias: A conscious or subconscious preference in favor of or against a person, group of people,
or thing
Big data: Large, complex datasets typically involving long periods of time, which enable data
analysts to address far-reaching business problems
, Boolean data: A data type with only two possible values, usually true or false
Borders: Lines that can be added around two or more cells on a spreadsheet
Business task: The question or problem data analysis resolves for a business
C
Cell reference: A cell or a range of cells in a worksheet typically used in formulas and functions
Cloud: A place to keep data online, rather than a computer hard drive
Confirmation bias: The tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms
pre-existing beliefs
Consent: The aspect of data ethics that presumes an individual’s right to know how and why
their personal data will be used before agreeing to provide it
Context: The condition in which something exists or happens
Continuous data: Data that is measured and can have almost any numeric value
Cookie: A small file stored on a computer that contains information about its users
COUNT: A spreadsheet function that counts the number of cells in a range that meet a specified
criteria
CSV (comma-separated values) file: A delimited text file that uses a comma to separate
values
Currency: The aspect of data ethics that presumes individuals should be aware of financial
transactions resulting from the use of their personal data and the scale of those transactions
D
Dashboard: A tool that monitors live, incoming data
Data: A collection of facts
Data analysis: The collection, transformation, and organization of data in order to draw
conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
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 analyst: Someone who collects, transforms, and organizes data in order to draw
conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
