Data Analysis with Excel

  • Pre-workshop activities: 10 min
  • Introductory presentation: 10 min
  • Hands-on activities - Introduction: 50-80min
  • Hands-on activities - Intermediate: 30-60min

About the Workshop

Statistics make the world go ‘round! Well, maybe not the whole world, but empirical data analysis techniques form the backbone of many STEM & Social Sciences courses. Using Excel in this context may be intimidating, but we can help you learn how to use this powerful tool for data organization, visualization, and reporting. Plus, the badge earned on completion of this workshop looks great on a resume!

Learning objectives

Introductory Excel

At the end of the Introductory portion of this workshop, you will be able to:

  1. Enter date data into rows & columns
  2. Name and identify rows & columns
  3. Sort data, using the filter button
  4. Find and replace data (data cleaning) & know when Open Refine would be a more appropriate tool.
  5. Change categorical data (e.g., male, female) into numerical data (e.g., 1, 2)
  6. Use the following functions: SUM, SUMIF, INT, COUNTA, COUNTIF, VLOOKUP, CONCATENATE, VALUE, LEN.
  7. Track changes in excel
  8. Use these statistical functions: AVERAGE (Mean), Standard Deviation, MEDIAN, MODE, COUNT, Standardize, Sample Variance, Kurtosis, Skew, MIN, MAX, Range.
  9. Produce basic graphs, histograms and scatterplots and edit them (e.g., add title, change axes names, colours, sizing etc)

Intermediate Excel

At the end of the Intermediate portion of this workshop, you will be able to:

  1. Create a basic pivot table and pivot chart
  2. Automate a series of tasks in a spreadsheet using a macro
  3. Create a Dashboard information summary sheet based on data from another sheet

NOTE: You can earn DSC Badges by completing the Introductory and/or the Intermediate portions of this workshop.

NEXT STEP: Pre-Workshop Activities