This course is part of the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization

Christopher Brooks +1 more instructor

Offered By

Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R SpecializationUniversity of Michigan

About this Course

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Learn about the core pillars of the public sector and the core functions of public administration through statistical Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA). Learn analytical and technical skills using the R programming language to explore, visualize, and present data, with a focus on equity and the administrative functions of planning and reporting. Technical skills in this course will focus on the ggplot2 library of the tidyverse, and include developing bar, line, and scatter charts, generating trend lines, and understanding histograms, kernel density estimations, violin plots, and ridgeplots. These skills are enhanced with lessons on best practices for good information visualization design. Upon completing this course, you will understand the layered grammar of graphics and its implementation in ggplot2, all while exploring a diverse set of authentic public datasets.
All coursework is completed in RStudio in Coursera without the need to install additional software.

This is the second of four courses within the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization. The series is ideal for current or early-career professionals working in the public sector looking to gain skills in analyzing public data effectively. It is also ideal for current data analytics professionals or students looking to enter the public sector.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Course 2 of 4 in the

Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 2 of 4 in the

Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization

Intermediate Level

Approx. 18 hours to complete

English

Instructors

Christopher Brooks

Assistant Professor

School of Information

785,560 Learners

14 Courses

Paula Lantz

James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy

Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

3,470 Learners

4 Courses

Offered by

University of Michigan

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

7 hours to complete

Week 1 | Introduction to Visualization with ggplot2

Welcome to the second course in the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R—Exploratory Data Analysis for Public Administration with ggplot. This week, you will begin to develop the skills of exploratory data analysis through constructing ggplot plots and line plots in RStudio. You will also get to recognize the importance of data visualization for public administration and how powerful data visualization skills are in the profession of a data analyst.

7 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 68 min), 6 readings, 5 quizzes

9 videos

Introduction to Course 2: Exploratory Data Analysis with ggplot21mA Layered Grammar of Graphics5mFactors in R16mOur First ggplot Plot8mOur First ggplot Plot: A little more Aesthetic8m Exploring ggplot7mLine Plots7mThe Power of Data Visualization for Public Administration5mOne More Thing for this Week: Case Study of EDA of a Disturbing Trend6m

6 readings

Course Syllabus15mCourse Glossary of Terms5mHelp Us Learn About You10mWeek 1 Assignment: Data Visualization in R with ggplot230mR Code Solution for Week 1 Assignment: Data Visualization in R with ggplot25mWeek 1 Optional Readings & Resources10m

4 practice exercises

Factors in R: Practice & Knowledge Check20mDrawing a with ggplot in R: Practice & Knowledge Check20mExploring ggplot in R: Practice & Knowledge Check 20mWeek 1 Assignment Check3m

Week2

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Week 2 | Fundamentals of Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 89 min), 3 readings, 6 quizzes

9 videos

Equity as a Core Principle of Public Administration8mExample: Digital Equity6mThe Importance of Equity in Public Health: Interview with Dr. Joneigh Khaldun9mTrendlines: the Basics9mTrendlines: Understanding Trends & Going Further with Them14mDistributions and Histograms: Getting Started7mA Deep Dive into Histograms10mMaking a Population Pyramid: The Base10mImproving the Visuals of a Population Pyramid11m

3 readings

Week 2 Assignment: Fundamentals of Exploratory Data Analysis30mR Code Solution for Week 2 Assignment5mWeek 2 Optional Readings & Resources10m

5 practice exercises

EDA & Equity Knowledge Check10mTrendlines in R: Practice & Knowledge Check20mHistograms in R: Practice & Knowledge Check20mPopulation Pyramids in R: Practice & Knowledge Check20mWeek 2 Assignment Check3m

Week3

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Week 3 | Visualizing Populations and Trends with R

1 hour to complete

5 videos (Total 42 min)

Week4

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Week 4 | Best Practices for Data Visualization

5 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 67 min), 3 readings, 3 quizzes

12 videos

Beware: Misleading Data Visualization9mCommunication Principles for Data Analysts5mIntroduction to Design of Visual Information2mGraphical heuristics: Data-ink ratio (Edward Tufte)4mGraphical heuristics: Chart junk (Edward Tufte)5mGraphical heuristics: Lie Factor and Spark Lines (Edward Tufte)3mThe Truthful Art (Alberto Cairo)8mTools for Thinking about Design8mSmall Multiples5m SPLOMs7mOne More Thing for This Week!: World Data Visualization Prize in 2019 2mCongratulations on Completing the Course!2m

3 readings

Week 4 Assignment: Best Practices for Data Visualization30mWeek 4 Optional Readings & Resources10mCourse Survey10m

2 practice exercises

Small Multiples in R: Practice & Knowledge Check 20mWeek 4 Assignment Check3m

About the Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialization

Every government entity collects and stores millions of data points to perform administrative and legislative duties, allocate resources, and make decisions. Professionals in the public sector need the necessary skills to accurately interpret and inform administrators and policymakers about the meaning behind these data.

This Specialization will equip you with fundamental technical skills using the R programming language to gather, manipulate, analyze, visualize, and interpret data to inform public policy and public administrative functions. Throughout four courses, you will gain new skills using the popular tidyverse packages, such as dplyr for data manipulation and ggplot for visualization. You will identify and address common political and ethical challenges in data analysis, and better understand public administration and public policy concepts using hands-on activities with real-world data sets. This course series is ideal for current or early-career professionals in the public sector looking to gain skills in analyzing public data effectively. There are no prerequisites, though programming experience, ideally with the R language, and basic applied statistics knowledge are recommended. The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate offers such foundational skills. You will earn a dual badge when you complete the Google Career Certificate and this Specialization. All coursework is completed in RStudio in Coursera without the need to install additional software

Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Exploratory Data Analysis for the Public Sector with ggplot

About this Course