Data Ethics
While creating an organization that is based on data-driven decisions seems a matter of highly objective numbers and facts, data analysis actually requires judgment and nuanced decisions. Analysts are responsible not only for accuracy but minimization of bias and inclusion of representative populations. Further, data ethics cannot be discussed without consideration of privacy and data security.
This course examines the ethics of data collection, the black box of algorithms, mitigation of bias and privacy regulation in health care, financial services, consumer protection and education. It also looks at the security of data-at-rest and data-in-motion and large data breaches in the United States and internationally.
This course can be applied to the Data Analysis Certificate.
Instructor

Christine Sigrist is the program manager for several areas within the UWM School of Continuing Education including data analysis, digital marketing, business analysis and technology. Prior to joining UWM, Christine worked in software development, healthcare, financial services, public health and ... read more
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
- Define data ethics, data privacy, data security and data governance
- Describe ethical concerns in handling data
- Identify risks and mitigation strategies for bias in data collection and analysis
- Identify laws, regulations and guidelines for handling data in multiple domains
- Apply knowledge of ethics, algorithms, bias, privacy and data security to develop a plan to optimize data ethics in your organization
Course Outline/Topics
- Ethics definition
- Data collected about us
- Types of bias in data analysis
- Understanding algorithms
- Privacy standards, regulations and laws
- Data security
- Data governance framework
Testimonials
"Great instructor! It was nice being in a smaller class and having more interaction with the instructor and the other participants. Very helpful to have questions answered and to be asked about my experiences in my field.
Christine was a great teacher for this class. She would listen to our comments and then agree and sometimes expand further in a way that made me understand the question more. She gave adequate breaks during the day and was very organized and professional. I would attend another course she presented." — Amanda Beaugrand, Standard Process, October 2022
"I enjoyed hearing about all of the different aspects of ethics in this field. Particularly biases and the different regulations you may have not considered.
Great instructor! It was nice being in a smaller class and having more interaction with the instructor and the other participants. Very helpful to have questions answered and to be asked about my experiences in my field." — Course participant, October 2022
"It was time well spent in reshaping how to approach data analysis. Christine [the instructor] is a positive force and made the course enjoyable!" — Course participant, February 2022
"Enticed us to go beyond our initial observations." — Course participant, February 2022
"Thank you very much! There were a lot of takeaways from the class that will support my future career path. Definitely an important topic to cover." — Course participant, February 2022
"Right-sized one-day course. Lots of content and things to keep in mind and can reference back to when needed." — Course participant, October 2021
"I really liked this course. Good conversations and so thought provoking! I love these courses that give me new topics to research and dig into further." — Course participant, May 2021
"This class was great! I enjoyed the content, the instructor, and way the material was presented. I liked that it wasn’t just lecture, but included the chance to read articles and discuss them. Adding the podcasts and the video was also good – it helped keep us engaged." — Course participant, October 2020
Date: Thu-Fri, Sept 28-29, 2023
Delivery Method: Live Online
Time: 8:30am-Noon CT
Platform: Zoom
Instructor: Christine Sigrist EdM
Fee:
$425 by Sept 14, 2023
$450 after Sept 14, 2023
CEUs: .7
Enrollment Limit: 20
Program Number: 5020-15401
Note: This class is live online using Zoom. Participants will receive an email with access to the course materials and the Zoom link prior the the course start date.
Registration Deadline: Sept 28, 2023
Date: Mon-Tue, Apr 22-23, 2024
Delivery Method: Live Online
Time: 8:30am-Noon CT
Platform: Zoom
Instructor: Christine Sigrist EdM
Fee:
$425 by Apr 8, 2024
$450 after Apr 8, 2024
CEUs: .7
Enrollment Limit: 20
Program Number: 5020-15402
Note: This class is live online using Zoom. Participants will receive an email with access to the course materials and the Zoom link prior the the course start date.
Registration Deadline: Apr 22, 2024