Training resources
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning, powered by Microsoft is an online learning platform which allows you the opportunity to learn something new when you want to learn it.
If you do not yet have access to LinkedIn Learning please request via the Training Catalogue.
You can choose to learn something by following a full course or “playlist” or you can simply select specific content to learn. With the app, you can download content and learn on the go. Courses often come with extra resources in order to help you continue your learning.
To access this resource, go to LinkedIn Learning or download the app on your smart device (Apple or Android devices). This YouTube video gives you more information on LinkedIn Learning.
We have also created a brief introduction to the platform and Learning Paths.
For technical help with the platform, see LinkedIn Learning Help
For each key software package used commonly in the University for analysis, we have listed a short description, a recommended course to help you get up to speed and listed key contacts who can help you with any queries you may have.
Excel
Excel
Microsoft Excel is used to create spreadsheets. Due to its extreme versatility and power, Excel is very popular and commonly used by analysts.
Recommended courses:
- Excel Essential Training – this course looks at how to perform calculations using simple functions, formatting the appearance of rows, columns, cells and data as well as build charts and PivotTables.
- Excel Tips and Tricks – this course looks at time saving tips for creating formulas rapidly, accelerating data entry, navigating worksheets efficiently, drag and drop, formatting shortcuts, charting and PivotTable tips.
- Master Microsoft Excel – this course uncovers essential Excel training, advanced formulas and functions, advanced formatting, creating dashboards, the use of charts and pivot tables.
- Creating a Heatmap in Excel – the techniques in this course will help you transform Excel from a spreadsheet program to a powerful and dynamic tool for heat mapping.
Who can help me with Excel queries?
Andrew Peet – Planning and Information Analyst – Alliance Manchester Business School
Andrew Stevens – Management Information Analyst – FSE Planning Compliance and Special Projects
Craig Rayner – Data and Reporting Analyst – Development and Alumni
Fatheha Noor – Assistant Data Analyst – Directorate of Planning
Rachel Twaites – Planning Strategy Support Analyst – FSE Planning, Compliance and Special Projects
Sami Karamalla-Gaiballa – Data Analyst – Equality and Diversity Office
Victoria Sherratt – Student Insight Officer – Student Recruitment and International Development
Power BI
Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is designed to accomplish the transformation of data into useful information that can be shared across an organisation to inform decision making.
Recommended courses:
- Power BI documentation – this is official guidance from Microsoft which is tailored by the type of end user type – whether consumer, report designer or developer.
- Power BI essentials – this course provides essential training in the creation of reports with visualisations, modifying existing reports, creating and managing dashboards, using Power BI Q&A function and sharing.
- Top skills for PowerBI – this course provides training for importing data, manipulating data, managing relationships, working with Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), building visualisations and reports.
- Advanced PowerBI – this course provides insight into DAX language, create advanced queries and use M language to improve the query process. This course also looks at how to compose advanced formulas, manage the fields and columns in tables, use X-factor functions, use conditional statements, filter results, design charts, and more.
Who can help me with PowerBI queries?
Craig Rayner – Data and Reporting Analyst – Development and Alumni
Fatheha Noor – Assistant Data Analyst – Directorate of Planning
Rachel Twaites – Planning Strategy Support Analyst – FSE Planning, Compliance and Special Projects
Ruth Neville – Assistant Data Analyst – Directorate of Planning
Sami Karamalla-Gaiballa – Data Analyst – Equality and Diversity Office
Victoria Sherratt – Student Insight Officer – Student Recruitment and International Development
SPSS
SPSS
SPSS is a statistics and data analysis programmes which can be used to run statistical tests, build charts, scatterplots and boxplots, calculate descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), use inferential statistics (t-tests and chi-square), cross tabulations, correlation analysis, regression analysis and format presentations.
Recommended courses:
R Studio
R Studio
R is an open source language which can be used for data modelling, visualisation and statistical analysis.
Recommended courses:
- R for Data Science: Learning R - the lessons explain how to get started with R, including installing R, RStudio, and code packages that extend R’s power. You also see first-hand how to use R and RStudio for beginner-level data modelling, visualization, and statistical analysis.
- R Essential Training: Wrangling and Visualising Data – this course shows how to create visualizations such as bar charts, histograms, and scatterplots and transform categorical, qualitative, and outlier data to best meet your research questions and the requirements of your algorithms.
- Modelling data using R – this course shows how to compute statistics, analyse data, predict outcomes, and group and classify cases. These are the fundamental techniques you need to generate meaningful insights using R.
Who can help me with R Studio queries?
Sami Karamalla-Gaiballa – Data Analyst – Equality and Diversity Office
Python
Python
Python is an object orientated high level programming language used for web and application development. A large majority of web applications and platforms rely on Python, including major data platforms. It can also be used to process text, display numbers or images, solve scientific equations, save data and automation. In short, it is used behind the scenes to process a lot of elements you might need or encounter.
Recommended courses:
Who can help me with Python queries?
Victoria Sherratt – Student Insight Officer – Student Recruitment and International Development
SQL
SQL
SQL stands for structured query language and is often used in relational database management systems. SQL statements are used to perform tasks such as update data on a database, or retrieve data from a database.
Recommended courses:
- SQL Essential Training – This course provides an overview of all the major features of SQL: creating tables; defining relationships; manipulating strings, numbers, and dates; using triggers to automate actions; and using sub selects and views.
Who can help me with SQL queries?
Andrew Stevens – Management Information Analyst – FSE Planning Compliance and Special Projects
Craig Rayner – Data and Reporting Analyst – Development and Alumni
Victoria Sherratt – Student Insight Officer – Student Recruitment and International Development