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Data preparation, provenance, and records
Prepare data without losing where it came from.
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Data preparation, provenance, and records
Prepare data without losing where it came from.
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Source-based teaching example · Fictional data · Reviewed 2026-10-03. Microsoft Mark · locally synthesized. On a small screen, use fullscreen for diagram details or read the transcript.
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0:00 · What you will learn
Prepare data without losing where it came from.
What appears on screen
Prepare data without losing where it came from.
0:05 · The idea
Keep the original source and record your changes. Use only fields needed for the task. Made-up training records are different from real records with names removed.
What appears on screen
Keep the original source and record your changes. Use only fields needed for the task. Made-up training records are different from real records with names removed.
0:19 · One useful term
Provenance. A record of where information came from and how it changed.
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A record of where information came from and how it changed.
0:26 · A worked example
The training task counts roles and shifts. Three invented rows give two A/day records and one B/night record. IDs and personal notes are not needed for the counts.
What appears on screen
The training task counts roles and shifts. Three invented rows give two A/day records and one B/night record. IDs and personal notes are not needed for the counts.
0:41 · Your turn to think
Is a real table with names removed automatically synthetic data? Pause and decide before continuing.
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Is a real table with names removed automatically synthetic data? Pause the video if you need more time.
0:58 · Why this answer works
No. Synthetic here means invented. Other fields can still reveal information about real people.
What appears on screen
No. Synthetic here means invented. Other fields can still reveal information about real people.
1:08 · Check 1
Keep the original source available.
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Keep the original source available.
1:13 · Check 2
Record each change and its reason.
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Record each change and its reason.
1:18 · Check 3
Justify every retained field.
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Justify every retained field.
1:23 · Now try a different case
Open the lesson and try its different practice case. Use every check in the full task. Watching alone does not mark the lesson complete.
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Open the lesson Try the new case Check and revise The full task and its requirements are in the linked lesson.
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