Before you can work with data you have to get some. This course will cover the basic ways that data can be obtained. The course will cover obtaining data from the web, from APIs, from databases and from colleagues in various formats. It will also cover the basics of data cleaning and how to make data “tidy”. Tidy data dramatically speed downstream data analysis tasks. The course will also cover the components of a complete data set including raw data, processing instructions, codebooks, and processed data. The course will cover the basics needed for collecting, cleaning, and sharing data.
Getting and Cleaning Data
Getting and Cleaning Data
This course is part of multiple programs.
Instructors: Jeff Leek, PhD
257,074 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5
(8,064 reviews)
19 hours to complete
3 weeks at 6 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
90%
Most learners liked this course
What you'll learn
Understand common data storage systems
Apply data cleaning basics to make data "tidy"
Use R for text and date manipulation
Obtain usable data from the web, APIs, and databases
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
4 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is available as part of
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 4 modules in this course
In this first week of the course, we look at finding data and reading different file types.
What's included
9 videos4 readings1 assignment
Welcome to Week 2 of Getting and Cleaning Data! The primary goal is to introduce you to the most common data storage systems and the appropriate tools to extract data from web or from databases like MySQL.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
Welcome to Week 3 of Getting and Cleaning Data! This week the lectures will focus on organizing, merging and managing the data you have collected using the lectures from Weeks 1 and 2.
What's included
7 videos1 reading1 assignment3 programming assignments
Welcome to Week 4 of Getting and Cleaning Data! This week we finish up with lectures on text and date manipulation in R. In this final week we will also focus on peer grading of Course Projects.
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 programming assignment1 peer review
Instructors
Instructor ratings
4.3 (331 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Data Analysis
DeepLearning.AI
Google
Duke University
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.5
8,064 reviews
- 5 stars
67.44%
- 4 stars
23.64%
- 3 stars
5.86%
- 2 stars
1.63%
- 1 star
1.40%
Showing 3 of 8064
RR
4
Reviewed on Jul 9, 2017
I found the last project insufficiently explained. I was struggling in understanding what the task is. A bit more clear task description (as in Course 2) would be really appreciated.
VV
5
Reviewed on Nov 25, 2017
A lot of insight and practical knowledge of cleaning data that is available in many places in the Internet. I loved this course and it took me 2 tries to pass the peer graded assignment. ;)
AT
4
Reviewed on Nov 19, 2017
Very interesting and enjoyed doing the Assignment.
New to Data Analysis? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.