Module 1: Data Types and Structures Answers (Part 2: Q16–30)
This is Part 2 of the Module 1 quiz answers for “Introducing Data Analytics and Analytical Thinking” from the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate on Coursera.
Here, we’ll walk through questions 16 to 30 with detailed explanations to support your learning.
To find answers to the remaining questions, check out the full module breakdown below:
Test your knowledge on data formats and structures
Practice Quiz
16. Fill in the blank: The running time of a movie is an example of _____ data.
- discrete
- continuous ✅
- qualitative
- nominal
Explanation: Continuous data can take any value within a range, and the running time of a movie is measured on a continuous scale (e.g., 90 minutes, 90.5 minutes). It represents measurable quantities and can include fractional values, unlike discrete data, which only takes specific, separate values.
17. What are the characteristics of unstructured data? Select all that apply.
- Fits neatly into rows and columns
- Has a clearly identifiable structure
- Is not organized ✅
- May have an internal structure ✅
Explanation: Unstructured data does not fit neatly into predefined formats like rows and columns. Examples include images, videos, and emails. Although it may lack an external organization, it can have an internal structure, such as metadata or embedded patterns, that can be analyzed.
18. Structured data enables data to be grouped together to form relations. This makes it easier for analysts to do what with the data? Select all that apply.
- Rewrite
- Search ✅
- Analyze ✅
- Store ✅
Explanation: Structured data is organized into a well-defined format, such as rows and columns in a database. This structure allows analysts to efficiently search, analyze, and store data due to its clear organization. It does not necessarily involve rewriting, which is more relevant to data preparation or cleaning tasks.
19. Which of the following is an example of unstructured data?
- Email message ✅
- GPS location
- Contact saved on a phone
- Rating of a local favorite restaurant
Explanation: Unstructured data includes information that is not organized into a predefined format. An email message often contains free text, attachments, and metadata, which makes it unstructured. In contrast, data like GPS locations, contacts, and ratings often fall into structured or semi-structured formats.
Test your knowledge on data types, fields, and values
Practice Quiz
20. Fill in the blank: Internet search engines are an everyday example of how Boolean operators are used. The Boolean operator _____ expands the number of results when used in a keyword search.
- WITH
- NOT
- AND
- OR ✅
Explanation: The Boolean operator “OR” expands the scope of a search by including results that match any of the specified keywords. For example, searching “apples OR oranges” retrieves results containing either “apples,” “oranges,” or both, increasing the number of results compared to “AND,” which narrows the search.
21. Which of the following statements accurately describes a key difference between wide and long data?
- Every wide data subject has multiple columns. Every long data subject has data in a single column.
- Every wide data subject has a single column that holds the values of subject attributes. Every long data subject has multiple columns.
- Wide data subjects can have multiple rows that hold the values of subject attributes. Long data subjects can have data in multiple columns.
- Wide data subjects can have data in multiple columns. Long data subjects can have multiple rows that hold the values of subject attributes. ✅
Explanation: Wide data formats store information in multiple columns for a single subject, which is typical in surveys or cross-sectional data. In contrast, long data organizes information with multiple rows for each subject, making it suitable for time series or repeated measures where each observation is in a separate row.
22. What does data transformation enable data analysts to accomplish?
- Restore the data after it has been lost
- Inspect the data for accuracy
- Change the structure of the data ✅
- Retrieve the data faster
Explanation: Data transformation involves converting data into a different format or structure to make it suitable for analysis. For example, it may involve converting wide data into long format, normalizing values, or creating new variables to facilitate insights or compatibility with analytical tools.
*Module 1 challenge*
Graded Quiz
23. A data analyst at a book publisher is working on an urgent report for executives. They are using only historical data. What is the most likely reason for choosing to analyze only historical data?
- The project has a very short time frame ✅
- The data is unknown
- There is plenty of time to research historical data
- The data is constantly changing
Explanation: When there’s a short time frame, historical data is often used because it’s readily available and does not require additional time for collection or real-time analysis.
24. Which of the following are examples of discrete data? Select all that apply.
- Box office returns ✅
- Movie running time
- Movie budget ✅
- Number of actors in movie ✅
Explanation: Discrete data consists of countable values (e.g., the number of actors) or specific numerical data points (e.g., box office returns or budgets). These values cannot be subdivided into smaller units meaningfully.
25. Which of the following questions collects nominal qualitative data?
- Is this your first time dining at this restaurant? ✅
- How many people do you usually dine with?
- How many times have you dined at this restaurant?
- On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your service today?
Explanation:
- Nominal data: Categorized without order (Yes/No).
- Other options are quantitative or ordinal.
26. Why is internal data considered more reliable and easier to collect than external data?
- Internal data circumvents privacy restrictions.
- Internal data comes from people you know.
- Internal data has much larger sample sizes.
- Internal data lives within a company’s own systems. ✅
Explanation:
Internal data is collected and maintained by the organization, ensuring consistency and easier access.
27. A social media post is an example of structured data.
- True
- False ✅
Explanation:
Social media posts are unstructured data—free text, images, etc., not organized in predefined fields like spreadsheets.
28. Fill in the blank: A Boolean data type can have _____ possible values.
- three
- 10
- two ✅
- infinite
Explanation:
Boolean data has two values: True/False, Yes/No, 1/0.
29. The following is a selection from a spreadsheet:
What kind of data format does it contain?
- Short
- Wide ✅
- Narrow
- Long
Explanation: Wide data formats display different attributes of subjects in separate columns. For example, the spreadsheet with Name, Age, and Occupation columns is a wide format.
30. A data analyst is working in a spreadsheet application. They use Save As to change the file type from .XLS to .CSV. This is an example of a data transformation.
- True ✅
- False
Explanation: Changing the file type is a form of data transformation because it alters the format, making the data compatible with different tools or systems.
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