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What is data analysis? 2.0

My Courses Intro to Power BI Intro to data analysis What is data analysis? 2.0

So you understand a little more about data science and big data. 

But now let’s dive into what is data analysis exactly?

Data analysis

Data vs Information vs Knowledge

So now we begin with the question, “What is data analysis?”. And just so you know – data analytics and data analysis are two terms that are often used interchangeably and essentially mean the same thing. In some parts of the world , experts talk about “analytics” rather than “analysis”

To answer the question “what is data analysis?”, it is useful for us to start by distinguishing between 

  • data, 
  • information and 
  • knowledge

These are the 3 key factors that you can associate with data analysis. Let us start with data.

As discussed in the video, data analysis is a process by which data is collected and used to obtain information which will be useful in making future decisions. 

Data

What is data?

As an agent of LM13, you have probably heard the word data tossed around when they recruited you.

So, “What is data? Why does the organization deem it to be so important? ” Data is said to have become a common commodity of the world that you live in. Everywhere you go there is data ever present that can be collected. So what is it exactly? 

Example of data >> you taking this course

Data can be simply looked at as a raw fact. 

One example of that being that “you are taking this course” right now. This is a simple fact and a piece of data. So, you must be wondering why it is very important then? 

With a collection of data, you can obtain information. You’re enrolled in this course, so that will result in a collection of data on: 

  • your progress,
  • your quiz results,
  • your tasks completed etc.

All this gives information about the course and you. We’ll touch on information in the next section.

For some more tips on Data. 

So from the example above, data is a set of facts and statistics that can be used as a basis for obtaining information. Data is ever present and can be collected in different ways. There are different types of data which can be generally categorized into two groups; qualitative and quantitative data.

Types of data:

Click on the blue arrows below to find out more about Quantitative and Qualitative data.

Quantitative data comprises numerical figures, for which statistical methods can be used to get insight.

An example of this would be calculating an average mark for all the quizzes that you have done in this course to have an idea of how well you understood the content. 

Qualitative data, also referred to as descriptive data, describes the characteristics or qualities of something. Qualitative data can be processed using classifications and groupings to observe patterns in the data.

Quantitative vs Qualitative

Different ways to collect data:

This also means that the way this data will be collected is different. 

  • Quantitative (numbers) data collection involves taking some form of measurements or records from experiments for example. 
  • Qualitative (descriptive) data collection can be obtained through methods like interviews and questionnaires.

Different purposes of data

Qualitative and quantitative data also have different purposes:

  • Quantitative data is collected with an approach focused on “what” does the data say. 
  • Qualitative data however, arises from the question “why”, where the person collecting the data is seeking to understand and observe patterns from the data. 

Big Data

What is big data?

Another term to know is big data, this is a term that refers to high volumes of data that are complex, or with great variety, that is constantly being updated. 

Social network data is an example of this with large volumes of text messages, images and other types of media, all being handled and managed by the platform. All the while, this data is updated and continues growing instantaneously due to the large user base. 

Big data is beyond the scope of this course and has grown into its own field – but we added this video to will highlight a little more about what BIG data is:

Let’s find out about the next 2 components of data analysis: Information and Knowledge next.

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Whitespace – basically empty space (like spaces, tabs, or enter button) that makes the code look neat and organized, but the computer doesn’t care about it.

 A User – is any person that interacts (by inputs) with a program without having to write the code directly. For example, you are the user to the code that makes your browser/website run. When you clicked on this pop-up, that was the input that made this explanation come up when the code detected it.

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All learners who are aspiring web developers will have an opportunity to build a website for a live NGO or charity client as part of their community service hours. This project will be run jointly with Community Hours – so all your time spent counts towards your LO credits. This event is suitable for learners, parents and their teachers.

TechWays will be providing the WordPress course and web dev resources for free to any learner wanting to participate. 

Besides the amazing community service you’ll be doing for a charity in need – you’ll also be building your portfolio of web dev skills. Who knows – web dev could become a side hustle for extra income?

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Indentation – In the written form of many languages, an indentation or indent is an empty space at the beginning of a line to signal the start of a new paragraph.

Text editor – is the part of the IDE where you write the code. Most text editors highlight words with different properties like functions to help you distinguish them from one another. 

Homogeneous – of the same kind; alike throughout.

Heterogeneous – diverse in character or content; containing different things

Prompt – to  cause or bring about; to make something happen. For example making someone to say or write something.

Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again.

String Built-in Functions/Methods

There are a lot of strings functions/methods in Python. Find full list in course manual. Here’s are some that you find useful in this course:

Functions

  • len(varName) – Returns the length of a list, string
  • join(varName) – Converts the elements of an iterable into a string.

Methods 

  • varName.capitalize() – Converts the first character to upper case.
  • varName.center(length) – Returns a centered string
  • varName.count(“?”) – Returns the number of times a specified value (?) occurs in a string (varName).
  • varName.endswith(“?”) – Returns true if the string ends with the specified value.
  • varName.find(“?”) – Searches the string for a specified value and returns the position of where it was found.
  • varName.format(placeholder = value) – Formats specified values in a string.
  • varName.index(“?”) – Searches the string for a specified value and returns the position of where it was found.
  • varName.isalnum() – Returns True if all characters in the string are alphanumeric.
  • varName.isalpha() – Returns True if all characters in the string are in the alphabet.
  • varName.isascii() – Returns True if all characters in the string are ascii characters.
  • varName.isdecimal() – Returns True if all characters in the string are decimals.
  • varName.isdigit() – Returns True if all characters in the string are digits.
  • varName.isidentifier() – Returns True if the string is an identifier.
  • varName.islower() – Returns True if all characters in the string are lower case.
  • varName.isupper() – Returns True if all characters in the string are upper case.
  • varName.isnumeric() – Returns True if all characters in the string are numeric.
  • varName.isprintable() – Returns True if all characters in the string are printable.
  • varName.isspace() – Returns True if all characters in the string are whitespaces.
  • varName.istitle() – Returns True if the string follows the rules of a title.
  • varName.ljust(value) – Returns a left justified version of the string.
  • varName.rjust() Returns a right justified version of the string.
  • varName.lower() – Converts a string into lower case.
  • varName.upper() – Converts a string into upper case.
  • varName.strip() – Returns a trimmed version of the string.
  • varName.lstrip() – Returns a left trim version of the string.
  • varName.rstrip() Returns a right trim version of the string.
  • varName.partition() – Returns a tuple where the string is parted into three parts.
  • varName.replace(“old”, “new”) – Returns a string where a specified value is replaced with a specified value.
  • varName.rfind() – Searches the string for a specified value and returns the last position of where it was found.
  • varName.rindex() – Searches the string for a specified value and returns the last position of where it was found.
  • varName.rpartition() – Returns a tuple where the string is parted into three parts.
  • varName.rsplit() – Splits the string at the specified separator, and returns a list.
  • varName.split() – Splits the string at the specified separator, and returns a list.
  • varName.splitlines() – Splits the string at line breaks and returns a list.
  • varName.startswith() – Returns true if the string starts with the specified value.
  • varName.swapcase() – Swaps cases, lower case becomes upper case and vice versa.

String Special Characters

There a number of special string characters that have different functions when used inside ” “. Here’re some useful and common ones:

  • \n – Newline – Everything after it goes to next line.
  • \t – Horizontal tab – creates a tab space, similar to when you use ‘tab’ on keyboard.
  • \b – backspace – deletes the character before the it.
  • \r – carriage return – same as \n

In programming Concatenation is a process of appending one string to another. 

\ – escape character is a string character that tell Python that the next character after it should be taken as a string and not as an instruction.

str ( ) is a built-in function that converts and sequence of characters (numbers especially) in to text. 

Mad Libs is a phrasal template word game created by Leonard Stern and Roger Price. It consists of one player prompting others for a list of words to substitute for blanks in a story before reading aloud.

type ( ) is a built-in function (still to cover what built-in functions are later) that determines the Data Type of any data presented. 

input ( ) is a built-in function (still to cover what built-in functions are later) allows a user to insert info into a program/the code. 

print ( ) is a built-in function (still to cover what built-in functions are later) that executes data inside the brackets. The results get printed out on the console/results section.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE) – A digital environment used to develop games, software, hardware, that offers integration from debugging to compiling. Essentially where you write, edit, and run to test your code. 

Variables

More about variables

Info about variables

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Our top 20 learners are from St Andrews for Girls, Reddam Umhlanga, Evolve Online, Nova Pioneer and Sutherland High. 

Learners will be presenting their final projects. Come celebrate their successes and lessons learnt with us at our TechWays #WOW Awards.

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Calling on all high schoolers interested in tech as a career. Join us on Thursday 22 September at 5:30pm.

 

We will be sharing:

  • Some “hot button/in-demand” career pathways – including Automation
  • the skills needed to access these careers
  • some of the job realities in these careers

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Calling on all high schoolers interested in tech as a career to join us on 16 September at 5:30pm. If you missed it, we’ll host another one on 18 November. 

We covered the following:

  • general tech career tips
  • a few “hot button/in-demand” career pathways and jobs
  • the skills needed to access these careers
  • some of the job realities in these careers

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We will be talking to Noelene Kinsley from GC Network. Noelene has been specialised in the exciting career of Genetic Counseling and wants to share her passion for making the world a healthier place using genetics….and data science technology. 

Let’s hear more about the trends in the health/genetics industries, where jobs are moving to and what kind of skills you’ll need in this exciting world of opportunities out there. 

This event is suitable for learners, parents and their teachers. Book your spot HERE

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We will be talking to Jason Suttie from Devson. Jason has been in the tech world since he was six years old. He headed IT innovation unit at RMB and has since left to start up his own software consulting company – solving problems and building solutions for clients around the world. 

Let’s hear more about the trends in the software and programming industries, where jobs are moving to and what kind of skills you’ll need in this exciting world of opportunities out there. 

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