Understand your data
Inspect definitions, units, dates and missing values before analysis.
Lesson 1 of 4 · Learn it by trying itWatch: Spreadsheets and business information
An original animated overview. No sound—follow the on-screen explanation, or read the transcript.
Read the video transcript
Understand your data. Inspect definitions, units, dates and missing values before analysis.
Check formulas. Ask for a formula with its expected inputs and test it on known cases.
Interpret cautiously. Correlation does not establish causation.
Report clearly. Show units, denominators, dates and sources.
Created for AI For Numpties · Original course material · Hosted with this website
Getting your practice ready…
Explore the idea with an example
Inspect definitions, units, dates and missing values before analysis. Use synthetic samples while learning. Aggregates may still reveal individuals in small groups.
Begin with a data dictionary: what does each column mean, what are its units and which values are missing? Use the supplied synthetic rows. Distinguish a zero from an unknown value and check date formats. Remove identifying or unnecessary fields before uploading anything. A neat table is not proof that the underlying data is complete, representative or permitted for this use.