Glossary
Correlations
Relationships between two or more variables where changes in one variable tend to be associated with changes in another.
Example:
A study might find a Correlation between the amount of time students spend studying and their test scores, where more study time generally leads to higher scores.
Data Filtering
The process of creating and extracting specific subsets of data based on defined criteria, such as time, value, or quality.
Example:
In a spreadsheet of student grades, you might use Data Filtering to show only students who scored above 90% on the last exam.
Data Mining
The process of examining large datasets to discover useful information, hidden patterns, or significant relationships that are not immediately obvious.
Example:
A streaming service uses Data Mining to analyze user watch history and recommend new shows you might enjoy, based on what similar viewers have watched.
Data Processing
The use of computer programs to record, modify, and organize raw data into a more usable format.
Example:
When you upload photos to a social media site, the platform performs Data Processing to resize them, add metadata, and organize them into your album.
Data Transformation
The process of modifying raw data to extract more meaningful information or prepare it for analysis.
Example:
To compare student performance across different grading scales, a teacher might use Data Transformation to convert all scores to a common percentage.
Data Visualization
The creation of visual representations, such as tables, graphs, and charts, to make complex data easier to understand and interpret.
Example:
A weather app uses Data Visualization to display temperature changes over a week as a line graph, making it easy to spot warming or cooling trends.
Iterative and Interactive Process
A method of data analysis where users repeatedly refine their approach, choosing different tools and subsets, and running data through programs multiple times to gain deeper insights.
Example:
When analyzing a large dataset of sales, a business analyst might use an Iterative and Interactive Process, first sorting by region, then filtering by product type, and finally visualizing monthly trends.
Outliers
Data points that are significantly different from other observations in a dataset, often indicating unusual or exceptional circumstances.
Example:
In a dataset of daily website visitors, a sudden spike of 100,000 visitors on a day when the average is 1,000 would be considered an Outlier, possibly due to a viral social media post.
Patterns
Recurring sequences or regularities found within data that indicate predictable behavior or relationships.
Example:
Observing that ice cream sales consistently peak in summer months reveals a seasonal Pattern in consumer behavior.
Search Tools
Applications or features designed to help users find specific information faster and more efficiently within large datasets or the internet.
Example:
When looking for a specific image, you might use a search engine's Search Tools to filter results by color, size, or usage rights.
Text Analysis
A technique that looks for patterns within written text to categorize, classify, or extract specific insights.
Example:
A company uses Text Analysis on customer feedback surveys to automatically identify common complaints or positive sentiments about their products.
Trends
A general direction or movement in which data is changing over time, indicating an increase, decrease, or stability.
Example:
Analyzing global temperature data over the last century shows a clear upward Trend, indicating climate change.