Design Strategies for Maximizing Total Data Quality (Coursera)

Design Strategies for Maximizing Total Data Quality (Coursera)

By the end of this third course in the Total Data Quality Specialization, learners will be able to: learn about design tools and techniques for maximizing TDQ across all stages of the TDQ framework during a data collection or a data gathering process; identify aspects of the data generating or data gathering process that impact TDQ and be able to assess whether and how such aspects can be measured; understand TDQ maximization strategies that can be applied when gathering designed and found/organic data; develop solutions to hypothetical design problems arising during the process of data collection or data gathering and processing.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 3 of 3 in the Total Data Quality Specialization
This specialization as a whole aims to explore the Total Data Quality framework in depth and provide learners with more information about the detailed evaluation of total data quality that needs to happen prior to data analysis. The goal is for learners to incorporate evaluations of data quality into their process as a critical component for all projects. We sincerely hope to disseminate knowledge about total data quality to all learners, such as data scientists and quantitative analysts, who have not had sufficient training in the initial steps of the data science process that focus on data collection and evaluation of data quality. We feel that extensive knowledge of data science techniques and statistical analysis procedures will not help a quantitative research study if the data collected/gathered are not of sufficiently high quality.
This specialization will focus on the essential first steps in any type of scientific investigation using data: either generating or gathering data, understanding where the data come from, evaluating the quality of the data, and taking steps to maximize the quality of the data prior to performing any kind of statistical analysis or applying data science techniques to answer research questions. Given this focus, there will be little material on the analysis of data, which is covered in myriad existing Coursera specializations. The primary focus of this specialization will be on understanding and maximizing data quality prior to analysis.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Introduction and Maximizing Validity and Data Origin Quality
Welcome to Design Strategies for Maximizing Total Data Quality! This is the third and final course in the Total Data Quality Specialization. After viewing a short welcome video, reviewing the course syllabus, and taking a course pre-survey, we’ll begin the course by exploring the topic of validity. You’ll learn how to maximize validity for both designed and gathered data through a series of video lectures, readings, and case studies. We’ll conclude our exploration of validity with a quiz on design strategies for maximizing validity. The second half of Week 1 will focus on data origin. You’ll learn how to maximize data origin quality for designed and gathered data through a series of lectures, examples, and case studies. Week 1 will conclude with a quiz on design strategies for maximizing data origin quality.

WEEK 2
Maximizing Processing and Data Access Quality
In Week 2, we’ll learn how to optimize data processing quality. We’ll begin the week with video lectures on how to maximize processing quality for designed and gathered data, along with an example for each type of data. We’ll conclude our discussion of processing with a quiz on design strategies for maximizing processing quality. Then, we’ll learn how to maximize data access quality for designed and gathered data while exploring each type of data through video examples and readings. Week 2 will conclude with a short quiz on strategies for maximizing access quality.

WEEK 3
Maximizing Data Source Quality and Minimizing Data Missingness
This week, we’ll learn how to optimize the quality of a data source and minimize missing data rates. First, we’ll explore how to maximize data source quality for designed and gathered data. We’ll mix in a series of examples, readings, and case studies throughout our data source unit and conclude this unit with a quiz on strategies for maximizing source quality. Then, we’ll move on to a discussion of data missingness. We’ll learn how to minimize data missingness for designed and gathered data through a series of video lectures and examples. Week 3 will conclude with a short quiz on strategies for minimizing data missingness.

WEEK 4
Maximizing the Quality of Data Analysis
Welcome to the final week of Design Strategies for Maximizing Total Data Quality and the Total Data Quality specialization! We’ll wrap up the series by learning how to optimize data analysis quality for both designed and gathered data. This exploration will include a series of video lectures and case studies. After you take a quiz on how to maximize data analysis quality, you’ll work on a peer review assignment that asks you to review a study of Wordle performance. The week will conclude with a specialization recap video and a course and specialization post-survey.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Measuring Total Data Quality (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Measuring Total Data Quality (Coursera)

By the end of this second course in the Total Data Quality Specialization, learners will be able to: learn various metrics for evaluating Total Data Quality (TDQ) at each stage of the TDQ framework; create a quality concept map that tracks relevant aspects of TDQ from a particular application or data source; think through relative trade-offs between quality aspects, relative costs and practical constraints imposed by a particular project or study; identify relevant software and related tools for computing the various metrics; understand metrics that can be computed for both designed and found/organic data; apply the metrics to real data and interpret their resulting values from a TDQ perspective.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Information Gathering and Vetting (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Information Gathering and Vetting (Coursera)

Information is key to every decision and every strategic move you make. But ensuring you have the right information takes work. Don’t look in every direction for an answer, and don’t force the solution you’re looking for. Instead, you can use a hypothesis and test it with data until the data fits the situation you’re looking at.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Advanced Manufacturing Process Analysis (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

Advanced Manufacturing Process Analysis (Coursera)

Extreme variability is a fact of life in manufacturing environments, impacting product quality and yield. Through this course, students will learn why performing advanced analysis of manufacturing processes is integral for diagnosing and correcting operational flaws in order to improve yields and reduce costs. Gain insights into the best ways to collect, prepare and analyze data, as well as computational platforms that can be leveraged to collect and process data over sustained periods of time. Become better prepared to participate as a member of an advanced analysis team and share valuable inputs on effective implementation.

Sep 7th 2026
3 Weeks
Prepare Data for Exploration (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Prepare Data for Exploration (Coursera)

This is the third course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. These courses will equip you with the skills needed to apply to introductory-level data analyst jobs. As you continue to build on your understanding of the topics from the first two courses, you’ll also be introduced to new topics that will help you gain practical data analytics skills. You’ll learn how to use tools like spreadsheets and SQL to extract and make use of the right data for your objectives and how to organize and protect your data. Current Google data analysts will continue to instruct and provide you with hands-on ways to accomplish common data analyst tasks with the best tools and resources.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Total Data Quality Framework (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

The Total Data Quality Framework (Coursera)

By the end of this first course in the Total Data Quality specialization, learners will be able to: identify the essential differences between designed and gathered data and summarize the key dimensions of the Total Data Quality (TDQ) Framework; define the three measurement dimensions of the Total Data Quality framework, and describe potential threats to data quality along each of these dimensions for both gathered and designed data; define the three representation dimensions of the Total Data Quality framework, and describe potential threats to data quality along each of these dimensions for both gathered and designed data; and ; describe why data analysis defines an important dimension of the Total Data Quality framework, and summarize potential threats to the overall quality of an analysis plan for designed and/or gathered data.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Data Collection: Online, Telephone and Face-to-face (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Data Collection: Online, Telephone and Face-to-face (Coursera)

This course presents research conducted to increase our understanding of how data collection decisions affect survey errors. This is not a “how–to-do-it” course on data collection, but instead reviews the literature on survey design decisions and data quality in order to sensitize learners to how alternative survey designs might impact the data obtained from those surveys.

Sep 7th 2026
4 Weeks
Pesquisa de Mercado com Métodos Qualitativos (Coursera) Coursera
FIA Business School

Pesquisa de Mercado com Métodos Qualitativos (Coursera)

Nossas boas-vindas ao Curso Pesquisa de Mercado com Métodos Qualitativos. Neste curso, você aprenderá sobre a pesquisa qualitativa em marketing. As metodologias de pesquisa que fazem parte desta categoria serão discutidas, tendo como pano de fundo seu uso no contexto da tomada de decisão gerencial de marketing.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure (Coursera) Coursera
University System of Georgia

Six Sigma Tools for Define and Measure (Coursera)

This course is for you if you are looking to learn more about Six Sigma or refresh your knowledge of the basic components of Six Sigma and Lean. Six Sigma skills are widely sought by employers both nationally and internationally. These skills have been proven to help improve business processes and performance. This course will cover the Define phase and introduce you to the Measure phase of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) process. You will learn about Six Sigma project development and implementation, you will become familiar with project management tools, you will be introduced to statistics and understand its significance to Six Sigma, and finally you will learn about data collection and its importance to an organization.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Assessing Health Program Delivery (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Assessing Health Program Delivery (Coursera)

This course provides in-depth knowledge about implementation strength, quality of care, and service utilization, which are essential components of health program delivery. This course is primarily aimed at implementers, managers, funders, and evaluators of health programs in low- and middle-income settings (LMISs) targeting women and children, and undergraduate and graduate students in health-related fields.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
How to Describe Data (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

How to Describe Data (Coursera)

How to Describe Data examines the use of data in our everyday lives, giving you the ability to assess the usefulness and relevance of the information you encounter. In this course, learn about uncertainty’s role in measurements and how you can develop a critical eye toward evaluating statistical information in places like headlines, advertisements, and research. You’ll learn the fundamentals of discussing, evaluating, and presenting a wide range of data sets, as well as how data helps us make sense of the world. This is a broad overview of statistics and is designed for those with no previous experience in data analysis.

Sep 7th 2026
4 Weeks
Community Engagement in Research and Population Health (Coursera) Coursera
University of Rochester

Community Engagement in Research and Population Health (Coursera)

Welcome to the Community Engagement in Population Health course! As you will learn, the health system is in the midst of a critical transition. The current system is not sustainable with escalating costs, mediocre health outcomes, and unacceptable disparities. This course will first discuss the current system, including definitions of population health and social determinants of health, and how the US compares to other countries on the triple aim –lower cost, better care, and a healthier population.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks