Top Data Analyst

Interview Questions
Contents

Data Analyst Interview Questions for Freshers

1. What are the responsibilities of a Data Analyst?
2. Write some key skills usually required for a data analyst.
3. What is the data analysis process?
4. What are the different challenges one faces during data analysis?
5. Explain data cleansing.
6. What are the tools useful for data analysis?
7. Write the difference between data mining and data profiling.
8. Which validation methods are employed by data analysts?
9. Explain Outlier.
10. What are the ways to detect outliers? Explain different ways to deal with it.
11. Write difference between data analysis and data mining.
12. Explain the KNN imputation method.
13. Explain Normal Distribution.
14. What do you mean by data visualization?
15. How does data visualization help you?
16. Mention some of the python libraries used in data analysis.
17. Explain a hash table.
18. What do you mean by collisions in a hash table? Explain the ways to avoid it.

Data Analyst Interview Questions for Experienced

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Data Analyst Interview Questions

for Expe r i e nce d (.....Continued)
19. Write characteristics of a good data model.
20. Write disadvantages of Data analysis.
21. Explain Collaborative Filtering.
22. What do you mean by Time Series Analysis? Where is it used?
23. What do you mean by clustering algorithms? Write different properties of
clustering algorithms?
24. What is a Pivot table? Write its usage.
25. What do you mean by univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis?
26. Name some popular tools used in big data.
27. Explain Hierarchical clustering.
28. What do you mean by logistic regression?
29. What do you mean by the K-means algorithm?
30. Write the difference between variance and covariance.
31. What are the advantages of using version control?
32. Explain N-gram
33. Mention some of the statistical techniques that are used by Data analysts.
34. What's the difference between a data lake and a data warehouse?

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Let's get Started

What is Data Analysis?

Data analysis is basically a process of analyzing, modeling, and interpreting data to

draw insights or conclusions. With the insights gained, informed decisions can be
made. It is used by every industry, which is why data analysts are in high demand. A
Data Analyst's sole responsibility is to play around with large amounts of data and
search for hidden insights. By interpreting a wide range of data, data analysts assist
organizations in understanding the business's current state.

Data Analyst Interview Questions for Freshers

1. What are the responsibilities of a Data Analyst?
Some of the responsibilities of a data analyst include:

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Collects and analyzes data using statistical techniques and reports the
results accordingly.
Interpret and analyze trends or patterns in complex data sets.
Establishing business needs together with business teams or management
t eam s.
Find opportunities for improvement in existing processes or areas.
Data set commissioning and decommissioning.
Follow guidelines when processing confidential data or information.
Examine the changes and updates that have been made to the source
production systems.
Provide end-users with training on new reports and dashboards.
Assist in the data storage structure, data mining, and data cleansing.

2. Write some key skills usually required for a data analyst.

Some of the key skills required for a data analyst include:

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Knowledge of reporting packages (Business Objects), coding languages (e.g.,

XML, JavaScript, ETL), and databases (SQL, SQLite, etc.) is a must.
Ability to analyze, organize, collect, and disseminate big data accurately and
efficiently.
The ability to design databases, construct data models, perform data mining,
and segment data.
Good understanding of statistical packages for analyzing large datasets (SAS,
SPSS, Microso Excel, etc.).
Effective Problem-Solving, Teamwork, and Written and Verbal
Communication Skills.
Excellent at writing queries, reports, and presentations.
Understanding of data visualization so ware including Tableau and Qlik.
The ability to create and apply the most accurate algorithms to datasets for
finding solutions.

3. What is the data analysis process?

Data analysis generally refers to the process of assembling, cleaning, interpreting,
transforming, and modeling data to gain insights or conclusions and generate
reports to help businesses become more profitable. The following diagram
illustrates the various steps involved in the process:

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Collect Data: The data is collected from a variety of sources and is then stored
to be cleaned and prepared. This step involves removing all missing values
and outliers.
Analyse Data: As soon as the data is prepared, the next step is to analyze it.
Improvements are made by running a model repeatedly. Following that, the
model is validated to ensure that it is meeting the requirements.
Create Reports: In the end, the model is implemented, and reports are
generated as well as distributed to stakeholders.

4. What are the different challenges one faces during data

analysis?
While analyzing data, a Data Analyst can encounter the following issues:

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Duplicate entries and spelling errors. Data quality can be hampered and
reduced by these errors.
The representation of data obtained from multiple sources may differ. It may
cause a delay in the analysis process if the collected data are combined a er
being cleaned and organized.
Another major challenge in data analysis is incomplete data. This would
invariably lead to errors or faulty results.
You would have to spend a lot of time cleaning the data if you are extracting
data from a poor source.
Business stakeholders' unrealistic timelines and expectations
Data blending/ integration from multiple sources is a challenge, particularly if
there are no consistent parameters and conventions
Insufficient data architecture and tools to achieve the analytics goals on time.

5. Explain data cleansing.

Data cleaning, also known as data cleansing or data scrubbing or wrangling, is
basically a process of identifying and then modifying, replacing, or deleting the
incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, irrelevant, or missing portions of the data as the
need arises. This fundamental element of data science ensures data is correct,
consistent, and usable.

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

6. What are the tools useful for data analysis?

Some of the tools useful for data analysis include:
RapidMiner
KNIME
Google Search Operators
Google Fusion Tables
Solver
NodeXL
OpenRefine
Wolfram Alpha
io
Tableau, etc.

7. Write the difference between data mining and data profiling.

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Data mining Process: It generally involves analyzing data to find relations that were
not previously discovered. In this case, the emphasis is on finding unusual records,
detecting dependencies, and analyzing clusters. It also involves analyzing large
datasets to determine trends and patterns in them.

Data Profiling Process: It generally involves analyzing that data's individual

attributes. In this case, the emphasis is on providing useful information on data
attributes such as data type, frequency, etc. Additionally, it also facilitates the
discovery and evaluation of enterprise metadata.

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Data Mining Data Profiling

It involves analyses of
It involves analyzing a pre-
built database to identify raw data from existing
patterns. datasets.

In this, statistical or
It also analyzes existing
databases and large datasets to informative summaries
convert raw data into useful of the data are
information. collected.
It usually involves the
It usually involves finding hidden
patterns and seeking out new, evaluation of data sets
useful, and non-trivial data to to ensure consistency,
generate useful information. uniqueness, and logic.
In data profiling,
Data mining is incapable of erroneous data is
identifying inaccurate or incorrect identified during the
data values. initial stage of analysis.
This process involves
using discoveries and
Classification, regression, analytical methods to
clustering, summarization, gather statistics or
estimation, and description are summaries about the
some primary data mining tasks dat a.
that are needed to be performed.

8. Which validation methods are employed by data analysts?

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

In the process of data validation, it is important to determine the accuracy of the

information as well as the quality of the source. Datasets can be validated in many
ways. Methods of data validation commonly used by Data Analysts include:
Field Level Validation: This method validates data as and when it is entered
into the field. The errors can be corrected as you go.
Form Level Validation: This type of validation is performed a er the user
submits the form. A data entry form is checked at once, every field is validated,
and highlights the errors (if present) so that the user can fix them.
Data Saving Validation: This technique validates data when a file or database
record is saved. The process is commonly employed when several data entry
forms must be validated.
Search Criteria Validation: It effectively validates the user's search criteria in
order to provide the user with accurate and related results. Its main purpose is
to ensure that the search results returned by a user's query are highly relevant.

9. Explain Outlier.
In a dataset, Outliers are values that differ significantly from the mean of
characteristic features of a dataset. With the help of an outlier, we can determine
either variability in the measurement or an experimental error. There are two kinds
of outliers i.e., Univariate and Multivariate. The graph depicted below shows there
are four outliers in the dataset.

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10. What are the ways to detect outliers? Explain different ways
to deal with it.
Outliers are detected using two methods:
Box Plot Method: According to this method, the value is considered an outlier if
it exceeds or falls below 1.5*IQR (interquartile range), that is, if it lies above the
top quartile (Q3) or below the bottom quartile (Q1).
Standard Deviation Method: According to this method, an outlier is defined as
a value that is greater or lower than the mean ± (3*standard deviation).

11. Write difference between data analysis and data mining.

Data Analysis: It generally involves extracting, cleansing, transforming, modeling,
and visualizing data in order to obtain useful and important information that may
contribute towards determining conclusions and deciding what to do next. Analyzing
data has been in use since the 1960s.
Data Mining: In data mining, also known as knowledge discovery in the database,
huge quantities of knowledge are explored and analyzed to find patterns and rules.
Since the 1990s, it has been a buzzword.

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Data Analysis Data Mining

A hidden pattern is
Analyzing data provides insight identified and
or tests hypotheses. discovered in large
datasets.
This is considered as
It consists of collecting, preparing,
and modeling data in order to one of the activities
extract meaning or insights. in Data Analysis.

Data usability is the

Data-driven decisions can be taken
main objective.
using this way.
Visualization is
Data visualization is certainly generally not
required. necessary.

Databases, machine
It is an interdisciplinary field that learning, and
requires knowledge of computer statistics are usually
science, statistics, mathematics, and combined in this
machine learning. field.

Here the dataset can be large,

In this case, datasets
medium, or small, and it can be
are typically large
structured, semi-structured, and
and structured.
unstructured.

12. Explain the KNN imputation method.

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

A KNN (K-nearest neighbor) model is usually considered one of the most common
techniques for imputation. It allows a point in multidimensional space to be matched
with its closest k neighbors. By using the distance function, two attribute values are
compared. Using this approach, the closest attribute values to the missing values are
used to impute these missing values.

13. Explain Normal Distribution.

Known as the bell curve or the Gauss distribution, the Normal Distribution plays a key
role in statistics and is the basis of Machine Learning. It generally defines and
measures how the values of a variable differ in their means and standard deviations,
that is, how their values are distributed.

The above image illustrates how data usually tend to be distributed around a central
value with no bias on either side. In addition, the random variables are distributed
according to symmetrical bell-shaped curves.

14. What do you mean by data visualization?

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

The term data visualization refers to a graphical representation of information and

data. Data visualization tools enable users to easily see and understand trends,
outliers, and patterns in data through the use of visual elements like charts, graphs,
and maps. Data can be viewed and analyzed in a smarter way, and it can be converted
into diagrams and charts with the use of this technology.

15. How does data visualization help you?

Data visualization has grown rapidly in popularity due to its ease of viewing and
understanding complex data in the form of charts and graphs. In addition to
providing data in a format that is easier to understand, it highlights trends and
outliers. The best visualizations illuminate meaningful information while removing
noise from data.

16. Mention some of the python libraries used in data analysis.

Several Python libraries that can be used on data analysis include:
Num Py
Bokeh
Matplotlib
Pandas
SciPy
SciKit, etc.

17. Explain a hash table.

Hash tables are usually defined as data structures that store data in an associative
manner. In this, data is generally stored in array format, which allows each data value
to have a unique index value. Using the hash technique, a hash table generates an
index into an array of slots from which we can retrieve the desired value.

18. What do you mean by collisions in a hash table? Explain the

ways to avoid it.
Hash table collisions are typically caused when two keys have the same index.
Collisions, thus, result in a problem because two elements cannot share the same
slot in an array. The following methods can be used to avoid such hash collisions:

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Separate chaining technique: This method involves storing numerous items

hashing to a common slot using the data structure.
Open addressing technique: This technique locates unfilled slots and stores
the item in the first unfilled slot it finds.

Data Analyst Interview Questions for Experienced

19. Write characteristics of a good data model.
An effective data model must possess the following characteristics in order to be
considered good and developed:
Provides predictability performance, so the outcomes can be estimated as
precisely as possible or almost as accurately as possible.
As business demands change, it should be adaptable and responsive to
accommodate those changes as needed.
The model should scale proportionally to the change in data.
Clients/customers should be able to reap tangible and profitable benefits from
it.

20. Write disadvantages of Data analysis.

The following are some disadvantages of data analysis:
Data Analytics may put customer privacy at risk and result in compromising
transactions, purchases, and subscriptions.
Tools can be complex and require previous training.
Choosing the right analytics tool every time requires a lot of skills and expertise.
It is possible to misuse the information obtained with data analytics by targeting
people with certain political beliefs or ethnicities.

21. Explain Collaborative Filtering.

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Based on user behavioral data, collaborative filtering (CF) creates a recommendation

system. By analyzing data from other users and their interactions with the system, it
filters out information. This method assumes that people who agree in their
evaluation of particular items will likely agree again in the future. Collaborative
filtering has three major components: users- items- interests.

Example:
Collaborative filtering can be seen, for instance, on online shopping sites when you
see phrases such as "recommended for you”.

22. What do you mean by Time Series Analysis? Where is it used?

In the field of Time Series Analysis (TSA), a sequence of data points is analyzed over
an interval of time. Instead of just recording the data points intermittently or
randomly, analysts record data points at regular intervals over a period of time in the
TSA. It can be done in two different ways: in the frequency and time domains. As TSA
has a broad scope of application, it can be used in a variety of fields. TSA plays a vital
role in the following places:
Statistics
Signal processing
E conom et rics
Weather forecasting
Earthquake prediction
Astronomy
Applied science

23. What do you mean by clustering algorithms? Write different

properties of clustering algorithms?
Clustering is the process of categorizing data into groups and clusters. In a dataset, it
identifies similar data groups. It is the technique of grouping a set of objects so that
the objects within the same cluster are similar to one another rather than to those
located in other clusters. When implemented, the clustering algorithm possesses the
following properties:

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Flat or hierarchical
Hard or So
Iterative
Disjunctive

24. What is a Pivot table? Write its usage.

One of the basic tools for data analysis is the Pivot Table. With this feature, you can
quickly summarize large datasets in Microso Excel. Using it, we can turn columns
into rows and rows into columns. Furthermore, it permits grouping by any field
(column) and applying advanced calculations to them. It is an extremely easy-to-use
program since you just drag and drop rows/columns headers to build a report. Pivot
tables consist of four different sections:
Value Area: This is where values are reported.
Row Area: The row areas are the headings to the le of the values.
Column Area: The headings above the values area make up the column area.
Filter Area: Using this filter you may drill down in the data set.

25. What do you mean by univariate, bivariate, and multivariate

analysis?

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Univariate Analysis: The word uni means only one and variate means variable,
so a univariate analysis has only one dependable variable. Among the three
analyses, this is the simplest as the variables involved are only one.
Example: A simple example of univariate data could be height as shown below:

Bivariate Analysis: The word Bi means two and variate mean variables, so a
bivariate analysis has two variables. It examines the causes of the two variables
and the relationship between them. It is possible that these variables are
dependent on or independent of each other.
Example: A simple example of bivariate data could be temperature and ice
cream sales in the summer season.

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Multivariate Analysis: In situations where more than two variables are to be

analyzed simultaneously, multivariate analysis is necessary. It is similar to
bivariate analysis, except that there are more variables involved.

26. Name some popular tools used in big data.

In order to handle Big Data, multiple tools are used. There are a few popular ones
as follows:
Hadoop
S park
S cala
Hive
Flume
Mahout, etc.

27. Explain Hierarchical clustering.

This algorithm group objects into clusters based on similarities, and it is also called
hierarchical cluster analysis. When hierarchical clustering is performed, we obtain a
set of clusters that differ from each other.

This clustering technique can be divided into two types:

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Agglomerative Clustering (which uses bottom-up strategy to decompose

clusters)
Divisive Clustering (which uses a top-down strategy to decompose clusters)

28. What do you mean by logistic regression?

Logistic Regression is basically a mathematical model that can be used to study
datasets with one or more independent variables that determine a particular
outcome. By studying the relationship between multiple independent variables, the
model predicts a dependent data variable.

29. What do you mean by the K-means algorithm?

One of the most famous partitioning methods is K-mean. With this unsupervised
learning algorithm, the unlabeled data is grouped in clusters. Here, 'k' indicates the
number of clusters. It tries to keep each cluster separated from the other. Since it is
an unsupervised model, there will be no labels for the clusters to work with.

30. Write the difference between variance and covariance.

Variance: In statistics, variance is defined as the deviation of a data set from its mean
value or average value. When the variances are greater, the numbers in the data set
are farther from the mean. When the variances are smaller, the numbers are nearer
the mean. Variance is calculated as follows:

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Here, X represents an individual data point, U represents the average of multiple

data points, and N represents the total number of data points.

Covariance: Covariance is another common concept in statistics, like variance. In

statistics, covariance is a measure of how two random variables change when
compared with each other. Covariance is calculated as follows:

Here, X represents the independent variable, Y represents the dependent variable, x-

bar represents the mean of the X, y-bar represents the mean of the Y, and N
represents the total number of data points in the sample.

31. What are the advantages of using version control?

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Also known as source control, version control is the mechanism for configuring
so ware. Records, files, datasets, or documents can be managed with this. Version
control has the following advantages:

Analysis of the deletions, editing, and creation of datasets since the original copy
can be done with version control.
So ware development becomes clearer with this method.
It helps distinguish different versions of the document from one another. Thus,
the latest version can be easily identified.
There's a complete history of project files maintained by it which comes in
handy if ever there's a failure of the central server.
Securely storing and maintaining multiple versions and variants of code files is
easy with this tool.
Using it, you can view the changes made to different files.

32. Explain N-gram

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

N-gram, known as the probabilistic language model, is defined as a connected

sequence of n items in a given text or speech. It is basically composed of adjacent
words or letters of length n that were present in the source text. In simple words, it is
a way to predict the next item in a sequence, as in (n-1).

33. Mention some of the statistical techniques that are used by

Data analysts.
Performing data analysis requires the use of many different statistical
techniques. Some important ones are as follows:
Markov process
Cluster analysis
Imputation techniques
Bayesian methodologies
Rank statistics

34. What's the difference between a data lake and a data

warehouse?
The storage of data is a big deal. Companies that use big data have been in the news
a lot lately, as they try to maximize its potential. Data storage is usually handled by
traditional databases for the layperson. For storing, managing, and analyzing big
data, companies use data warehouses and data lakes.

Data Warehouse: This is considered an ideal place to store all the data you gather
from many sources. A data warehouse is a centralized repository of data where data
from operational systems and other sources are stored. It is a standard tool for
integrating data across the team- or department-silos in mid-and large-sized
companies. It collects and manages data from varied sources to provide meaningful
business insights. Data warehouses can be of the following types:
Enterprise data warehouse (EDW): Provides decision support for the entire
organization.
Operational Data Store (ODS): Has functionality such as reporting sales data or
employee data.

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 Data Analyst Interview Questions

Data Lake: Data lakes are basically a large storage device that stores raw data in their
original format until they are needed. with its large amount of data, analytical
performance and native integration are improved. It exploits data warehouses'
biggest weakness: their incapacity to be flexible. In this, neither planning nor
knowledge of data analysis is required; the analysis is assumed to happen later, on-
dem and.

Conclusion:

The purpose of Data Analysis is to transform data to discover valuable information

that can be used for making decisions. The use of data analytics is crucial in many
industries for various purposes, hence, the demand for Data Analysts is therefore
high around the world. Therefore, we have listed the top data analyst interview
questions & answers you should know to succeed in your interview. From data
cleaning to data validation to SAS, these questions cover all the essential information
related to the data analyst role.

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