Data analytics is the process of examining raw data to draw conclusions and make informed decisions. It involves collecting, transforming, and organizing data to extract meaning from it. Data analytics is often confused with data analysis, but data analysis is a subcategory of data analytics that deals specifically with extracting meaning from data. Data analytics is a multidisciplinary field that employs a wide range of analysis techniques, including math, statistics, and computer science, to draw insights from data sets.
The process of data analytics can be divided into several categories, including descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and confirmatory data analysis (CDA) . Data integration is a precursor to data analysis, and data analysis is closely linked to data visualization and data dissemination.
Data analytics is important across many industries, as many business leaders use it to optimize performance, perform more efficiently, maximize profit, or make more strategically-guided decisions. Data analytics techniques can reveal trends and metrics that would otherwise be lost in the vast amount of information generated by modern businesses.
The role of a data analyst involves working with data throughout the data analysis pipeline, which includes data mining, data management, statistical analysis, and data presentation. Data analysts typically analyze raw data for insights and trends, using various tools and techniques to extract meaning from the data.
