An introduction to data and data analytics

What are data?

Please do not copy without permission. © ALX 2024.
An introduction to data and data analytics

What are data?

| Data are collections of distinct values represented by characters that are stored in or used
by a computer.

A character, abbreviated as char, is a single object

AB 01 &< used to represent text, numbers, and symbols.

Computers understand ASCII codes (numbers between

Letter Digit Special 0 and 255) and translate characters into binary (0s and
character 1s) in order to process them. These forms can also be
data.

Electrical, 1018445016, no power, -47072, -3771400, 15.07.2022

69 108 101 99 116 114 105 99 97 108 44 32 49 48 49 56 52 52 53

01000101 01101100 01100101 01100011 01110100 01110010 01101001 01100011

Examples of data: 01100001 01101100 00101100 00100000

2
An introduction to data and data analytics

What are data?

| Data can be of types beyond a single character.

True Boolean (logical true or false), text (strings), and

abcd 1234 numbers (float or integer) are commonly stored in
False
tabular format. In greater quantities, these types
Boolean Text Number are stored in database tables.

Image, sound, and video files are more complex to

store and analyze in tabular format. They can be
represented in a table through the storage path of
the data file. They can also be stored in database
Image Sound Video tables as BLOBs (binary large objects).

3
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

Row 2 ELECTRICITY AMANDELRUG Domestic customers R1 927,420 768 000,000 W 1

Row 3 ELECTRICITY ATHLONE Commercial customers R49 252,220 22 722,594 KWH 4

Row 4 ELECTRICITY ATHLONE Departmental R8 329,520 0,924 KWH 5

ELECTRICITY BELLVILLE CBD Departmental R174 840,060 2

ELECTRICITY BURGUNDY Not assigned R83 140,040 44 586,560 KWH 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Column 6
Column 1

4
An introduction to data and data analytics

The DIKW pyramid

| The DIKW pyramid represents the relationship between data, information, knowledge, and
wisdom.

Wisdom
● Wisdom is the ability to make sound judgements and
decisions based on experience, knowledge, and
understanding.
Knowledge
● Knowledge is the understanding or comprehension
of the information we derive from data.

● Information is processed and organized data, often

presented within a given context as to make it useful. Information

● Data are raw, unprocessed, and unorganized facts

that are seemingly random and useless until theyʼre
Data
processed and organized.

5
An introduction to data and data analytics

What is information?

| Information, on the other hand, is processed and organized data presented in a

meaningful context.

Information uses data as building blocks to derive meaningful inferences in accordance

with its contextual requirement.

It facilitates crucial decision-making and is applicable in many industries such as

finance, healthcare, retail, logistics, etc.

It is presented to stakeholders in the form of spreadsheets, graphs, reports, payslips, etc.

6
An introduction to data and data analytics

Data versus information

Data Information

Generally raw, unorganized, and unfiltered. Refined, structured, and evolved from raw data.

Comprise all elements or facts required for analysis. Puts facts or elements into context.

Independent of information. Dependent on data.

Meaningless on its own. Meaningful; derived from analyzed and interpreted data.

Not sufficient for decision-making. Sufficient for decision-making.

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).
7
An introduction to data and data analytics

What are data used for?

Decision-making
Data are used to make more informed
decisions.
Data-driven decision-making is using metrics
and facts derived from data to guide strategic
Product development decisions that align with the business goals,
Data are used to build and develop objectives, and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
products and services for the
improvement of our lives or businesses. Data can potentially add value by providing
insightful information that enhances our
decision-making abilities.
Storytelling
Data are used to assist us in better
contextualizing the stories we tell.

Some examples of real-world uses include prediction of future sales, purchasing behaviors, fraud detection
products, marketing campaign analysis, and improving customer acquisition and retention.
8
An introduction to data and data analytics

The data lifecycle

| 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 visualization

Data are gathered from Data are stored in a secure Data are cleaned and Data and insights are
various sources such as and accessible location. transformed, which may visualized using charts and
sensors, surveys, and include statistical analysis. dashboards so that it is
databases. easier to understand.

05. Data dissemination 06. Data archiving 07. Data destruction

Data, insights, and Data are stored in a secure, Data are securely and
visualizations are shared long-term archive when it is permanently deleted when it
with the relevant no longer needed for is no longer needed, to
stakeholders. current analysis. ensure regulatory
compliance.
9