Chapter 2Working with the Essentials of Analysis
The current Google definition of analysis is a perfect fit when applied to data visualization:
Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation.
You know the expression, “Can't see the forest for the trees”? When you analyze data with visualization in mind, you potentially are looking at both the forest and the trees. The individual data points are, of course, extremely important, but so is the overall pattern they form: the structure referenced in the Google definition. Moreover, the whole purpose of analyzing data for visualization is to discuss, interpret, and understand—to paint a picture with the numbers and not by the numbers.
This chapter covers the basic tenets of analysis in order to lay a foundation for the material ahead. It starts by defining a few of the key mathematical terms commonly applied when evaluating data. Next, the chapter discusses techniques frequently used to uncover patterns within the information and strategies for forecasting future trends based on the data.
Key Analytic Concepts
At its heart, most data is number based. For every text-focused explication that starts with “One side feels this way and another side feels ...
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