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1. Exploratory Data Analysis
1.1. EDA Introduction
Data EDA is a data analysis approach. What other data analysis
Analysis approaches exist and how does EDA differ from these other
Approaches approaches? Three popular data analysis approaches are:
1. Classical
2. Exploratory (EDA)
3. Bayesian
Paradigms These three approaches are similar in that they all start with a
for Analysis general science/engineering problem and all yield
Techniques science/engineering conclusions. The difference is the
sequence and focus of the intermediate steps.
For classical analysis, the sequence is
Problem => Data => Model => Analysis =>
Conclusions
For EDA, the sequence is
Problem => Data => Analysis => Model =>
Conclusions
For Bayesian, the sequence is
Problem => Data => Model => Prior Distribution =>
Analysis => Conclusions
Method of Thus for classical analysis, the data collection is followed by
dealing with the imposition of a model (normality, linearity, etc.) and the
underlying analysis, estimation, and testing that follows are focused on
model for the parameters of that model. For EDA, the data collection is
the data not followed by a model imposition; rather it is followed
distinguishes immediately by analysis with a goal of inferring what model
the 3 would be appropriate. Finally, for a Bayesian analysis, the
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approaches analyst attempts to incorporate scientific/engineering
knowledge/expertise into the analysis by imposing a
data-independent distribution on the parameters of the
selected model; the analysis thus consists of formally
combining both the prior distribution on the parameters and
the collected data to jointly make inferences and/or test
assumptions about the model parameters.
In the real world, data analysts freely mix elements of all of
the above three approaches (and other approaches). The
above distinctions were made to emphasize the major
differences among the three approaches.
Further Focusing on EDA versus classical, these two approaches
discussion of differ as follows:
the
distinction 1. Models
between the 2. Focus
classical 3. Techniques
and EDA 4. Rigor
approaches 5. Data Treatment
6. Assumptions
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