Lesson Outcomes
After completing this practical lesson, learners will be able to:
- Explain web scraping and its purpose
- Identify suitable web scraping tools
- Extract structured data from websites
- Clean and organise scraped data
- Store and analyse scraped information
- Test and verify scraped datasets
Overview
Web scraping is the process of extracting structured information from websites for analysis, reporting, and automation purposes. Businesses and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) environments use web scraping tools to collect market data, customer information, pricing data, and operational information automatically.
This practical lesson introduces learners to web scraping tools, data extraction techniques, data cleaning, structured storage, and reporting processes within spreadsheet and automation environments. Learners will complete practical activities involving the extraction and analysis of online business information.
Scenario: Product Pricing and Market Analysis
A retail company requires updated pricing and product information from competitor websites to support market analysis and pricing decisions.
Learners are required to use a suitable web scraping tool to collect, clean, organise, and analyse online product information for reporting purposes.
PA1101 — Identify Suitable Web Scraping Tools
Tools/Resources
- PC or laptop
- Internet browser
- Web scraping software or tools
Activity Instructions
- Research available web scraping tools.
- Identify suitable tools for structured data extraction.
- Review tool capabilities and features.
- Select an appropriate scraping tool.
Expected Outcome
A suitable web scraping tool is identified successfully.
Evidence Required
- Screenshot of selected web scraping tool
- Screenshot of reviewed tool features
- Screenshot of selected website
PA1102 — Extract Data from Websites
Tools/Resources
- Web scraping tool
- Internet connection
- Target website
Activity Instructions
- Open the selected website.
- Configure the web scraping tool.
- Extract structured data from the website.
- Save the scraped information.
- Verify extracted outputs.
Expected Outcome
Structured website data is extracted successfully.
Evidence Required
- Screenshot of scraping configuration
- Screenshot of extracted data
- Screenshot of saved outputs
PA1103 — Clean and Organise Scraped Data
Tools/Resources
- Spreadsheet software
- Scraped datasets
- Data cleaning tools
Activity Instructions
- Review the extracted data.
- Remove incomplete or duplicate records.
- Correct formatting inconsistencies.
- Organise the data into tables or worksheets.
- Verify cleaned outputs.
Expected Outcome
Scraped data is cleaned and organised successfully.
Evidence Required
- Screenshot of cleaned datasets
- Screenshot of organised tables
- Screenshot of corrected formatting
PA1104 — Analyse and Report Scraped Information
Tools/Resources
- Spreadsheet software
- Charts or dashboards
- Scraped datasets
Activity Instructions
- Analyse the scraped data.
- Create summaries or comparisons.
- Generate charts or visual reports.
- Verify analysed outputs.
Expected Outcome
Scraped information is analysed and presented successfully.
Evidence Required
- Screenshot of summary reports
- Screenshot of charts or dashboards
- Screenshot of analysed outputs
PA1105 — Verify and Refresh Scraped Data
Tools/Resources
- Web scraping tool
- Spreadsheet software
- Updated website data
Activity Instructions
- Refresh or repeat the scraping process.
- Verify updated data accuracy.
- Correct any identified issues.
- Save the completed project files.
Expected Outcome
Scraped datasets are refreshed and verified successfully.
Evidence Required
- Screenshot of refreshed datasets
- Screenshot of verified outputs
- Screenshot of saved project files
Key Notes
- Web scraping extracts structured information from websites.
- Scraping tools automate online data collection.
- Cleaning improves data quality and usability.
- Structured storage improves reporting and analysis.
- Visual reporting improves interpretation of scraped information.
- Verification improves data accuracy and reliability.