What Are Data - (Slides)
What Are Data - (Slides)
| Data are collections of distinct values represented by characters that are stored in or used by a
computer.
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An introduction to data and data analytics
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An introduction to data and data analytics
What is a table?
| A data table is a grid with data arranged in labelled rows and columns.
Number of
Column names Division Location Billing Class Amount Quantity contract
accounts
Row 1 ELECTRICITY ACACIA PARK Commercial customers R3 710,700 1 000,000 KVA 1
Column 3
Column 4
Column 5
Column 6
Column 1
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An introduction to data and data analytics
| The DIKW pyramid represents the relationship between data, information, knowledge, and
wisdom.
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An introduction to data and data analytics
What is information?
| Information, on the other hand, is processed and organised data presented in a meaningful
context.
Information uses data as building blocks to derive meaningful inferences in accordance with
its contextual requirement.
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An introduction to data and data analytics
Generally raw, unorganised, and unfiltered. Refined, structured, and evolved from raw data.
Comprise of all elements or facts required for analysis. Puts facts or elements into context.
Meaningless on its own. Meaningful; derived from analysed and interpreted data.
Examples:
A book contains words (data) and as one reads the book to completion, one infers what the book is about (information).
Every day a cashier records sales items (data). At the end of the month, the manager looks at the total number of sales
and deduces if they made a profit or loss (information).
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An introduction to data and data analytics
Some examples of real-world uses include prediction of future sales, purchasing behaviours, fraud detection
products, marketing campaign analysis, and improving customer acquisition and retention.
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An introduction to data and data analytics
| The data lifecycle describes the stages data have to go through before meaningful insight can
be extracted to meet our objectives.
01. Data collection 02. Data storage 03. Data processing 04. Data visualisation
Data are gathered from various Data are stored in a secure Data are cleaned and Data and insights are
sources such as sensors, and accessible location. transformed, which may visualised using charts and
surveys, and databases. include statistical analysis. dashboards so that it is
easier to understand.
Data, insights, and Data are stored in a secure, Data are securely and
visualisations are shared with long-term archive when it is permanently deleted when it is
the relevant stakeholders. no longer needed for current no longer needed, to ensure
analysis. regulatory compliance.