Advanced data analytics, visualisation and machine learning

Overview

Framework:: RQF

Level:: Level 4

Unit No:: H/651/7443

Credits:: 25

Guided learning hours:: 226 hours

Aim

This unit builds on core data analysis skills by introducing learners to more advanced analytical techniques, visualisation methods, and the foundations of machine learning. Learners will explore how to analyse complex data sets, create effective dashboards and visual outputs, and apply basic machine learning models to uncover patterns and trends. The unit also reinforces the importance of presenting data clearly to support insight and decision-making. By the end of the unit, learners will be able to apply a range of advanced tools and techniques to analyse, interpret and communicate data in meaningful ways.

For the full unit details, please download the latest version of the qualification specification. This is available for download on the relevant qualifications page.

Unit Learning Outcomes

To view the assessment criteria and any additional content, please expand the relevant learning outcome below.

1 — Be able to apply core statistical and probabilistic principles to analyse datasets.

Assessment Criteria

Key principles of statistics, probability, and data analysis (AC 1.1):
- Statistical principles: descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation), measures of spread and central tendency, skewness and kurtosis, percentiles and quartiles, range, correlation coefficients (Pearson, Spearman)
- Probability principles: Quantifying uncertainty. Experiment, events, and outcomes. Sample and event sets.
- Data analysis principles: hypothesis testing framework (null and alternative hypotheses), significance levels and p-values interpretation, Type I and Type II errors, statistical power and effect size, confidence intervals construction and interpretation, Shapiro-Wilk, Chi-Squared, T-test, Paired T-Test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Demonstrating application of core principles using relevant examples (AC 1.2):
- Statistical applications: A/B testing for website optimisation showing conversion rate improvements, quality control charts in manufacturing processes, customer satisfaction survey analysis using descriptive statistics, sales trend analysis with moving averages and seasonal adjustments
- Probability applications: risk assessment in insurance using actuarial models, financial portfolio analysis, reliability engineering using failure probability distributions, and applications in pricing strategies
- Advanced analysis examples: regression analysis for sales forecasting with R-squared interpretation, time series decomposition for demand planning (trend, seasonal, residual), survival analysis for customer retention studies, multivariate analysis for market segmentation
Supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms (AC 1.3):
- Supervised learning algorithms: linear regression for continuous predictions and logistic regression for binary classification
- Unsupervised learning algorithms: k-means clustering for customer segmentation, PCA for feature variance
- Implementation requirements: data preprocessing steps, train-test split methodology, cross-validation techniques, performance metrics selection (accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, RMSE), hyperparameter tuning approaches, model evaluation and selection criteria

2 — Be able to demonstrate the ability to structure and plan an independent data analytics project.

Assessment Criteria

Organising projects effectively using best practices in data analytics (AC 2.1):
- Project management frameworks: CRISP-DM phases (Business Understanding, Data Understanding, Data Preparation, Modelling, Evaluation, Deployment), Agile/Scrum for analytics (sprint planning, daily standups, retrospectives), Kanban boards for task visualisation
- Documentation practices: project charters with clear objectives and success criteria, requirements documentation and user stories, technical documentation standards (README files, code comments), version control
Justifying selection of research methodologies applicable to project goals (AC 2.2):
- Methodology selection criteria: alignment with research questions and hypotheses, data availability and quality considerations, time and resource constraints analysis, stakeholder requirements and expectations, and regulatory and ethical considerations
- Research design justification: experimental vs observational study designs, quantitative vs qualitative vs mixed methods approaches, cross-sectional vs longitudinal analysis rationale, sampling strategies (random, stratified, cluster) justification, sample size calculations and power analysis
- Validation approaches: train-test-validation split rationale, cross-validation strategy selection, A/B test design and randomisation methods

3 — Be able to analyse real-world problems using data analytics methodologies.

Assessment Criteria

Applying appropriate analytics methods to investigate real-world datasets (AC 3.1):
- Supervised learning methods: linear regression for continuous outcomes (house prices, sales forecasting) and logistic regression for binary classification (churn, fraud detection).
- Unsupervised learning methods: k-means clustering for customer segmentation, PCA for dimensionality reduction
- Advanced techniques: neural networks for pattern recognition, time series models, natural language processing for text analytics, recommendation systems (collaborative, content-based filtering)
Assessing effectiveness of chosen approaches and solutions (AC 3.2):
- Performance metrics: classification metrics (accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score), regression metrics (RMSE, MAE, R-squared), clustering metrics (silhouette score, elbow), business metrics alignment (revenue impact, cost reduction, efficiency gains)
- Model validation: confusion matrix interpretation and error analysis, learning curves for bias-variance assessment, feature importance, residual analysis and assumption checking, overfitting detection and regularisation impact
- Comparative analysis: baseline model establishment and improvement measurement, algorithm benchmarking with consistent evaluation, computational efficiency (training time, prediction speed), interpretability vs accuracy trade-offs, robustness testing with different data samples
Presenting structured plans detailing analysis and problem-solving techniques (AC 3.3):
- Analysis documentation: exploratory data analysis reports with visualisations, feature engineering documentation and rationale, model selection process and decision criteria, hyperparameter tuning approach and results
- Visualisation techniques: Tableau dashboards for interactive exploration, Power BI reports for business stakeholders, matplotlib/seaborn for statistical graphics, Plotly for interactive web visualisations
- Communication strategies: technical reports for data science teams, business presentations for non-technical audiences, reproducible notebooks with clear narratives, and user guides for dashboard interaction

4 — Be able to adapt to analytics tools and methods.

Assessment Criteria

Demonstrating use of data analytics tools, technologies, or methodologies and their integration (AC 4.1):
- Tool implementation: scikit-learn, Tableau/Power BI
- Methodology application: MLOps practices for production deployment, A/B testing frameworks for model comparison, consistent feature engineering, model monitoring and drift detection
Evaluating the learning process and preparation for field adaptation (AC 4.2):
- Learning evaluation: skills gap analysis and improvement areas, portfolio development showcasing project diversity, and community engagement.
- Professional development: emerging technology exploration (quantum computing, edge AI), industry trend analysis and adaptation strategies, networking and conference participation, mentoring and knowledge transfer activities, continuous learning plan creation