Lesson Outcomes

After completing this lesson, learners will be able to:

Knowledge

  • Define data scraping

  • Identify the purpose of data scraping

Understanding

  • Explain how data is extracted from websites

  • Understand how web scraping works

Application

  • Identify examples of data scraping

  • Apply basic concepts of extracting data from online sources

Overview

Data scraping, also known as web scraping, is the process of extracting data from websites and converting it into a usable format.

This lesson focuses on:

  • What data scraping is

  • How data is extracted from web pages

  • Why organisations use scraping

Understanding data scraping helps learners:

  • Collect data from online sources

  • Analyse large datasets

  • Support decision-making processes

What is Data Scraping?

Definition

Data scraping is:

  • The process of extracting data from websites

  • Converting web data into a structured format

Unlike simple copying, data scraping:

  • Extracts underlying website data

  • Uses tools or bots to collect information

👉 Scraping retrieves data stored within web pages and databases.

How Data Scraping Works

Basic Process

  • Open a website

  • Inspect the page structure (HTML)

  • Identify required data

  • Extract data using tools or scripts

👉 Scraping tools read and collect data from the website structure. 

Examples of Data Scraping

  • Extracting product information from e-commerce websites

  • Collecting prices for comparison

  • Gathering data for analysis in spreadsheets

👉 Scraped data is often used for reporting and analysis.

Why Scrape Website Data?

Organisations scrape data to:

  • Collect large amounts of information

  • Analyse trends and patterns

  • Support business decisions

Challenges of Data Scraping

  • Some websites restrict access

  • Data may not be easily accessible

  • Legal and ethical concerns

👉 Organisations must use scraping responsibly.

Importance of Data Scraping

Data scraping is important because it:

  • Enables data collection from online sources

  • Supports data analysis

  • Helps organisations gain insights

Key Notes

  • Data scraping extracts data from websites

  • It uses tools to collect structured data

  • Data is often taken from HTML content

  • Scraping supports analysis and decision-making

  • Must be used ethically and responsibly

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