Chapter 1. Introduction
It is estimated that 70%–80% of job postings for a data analyst mention statistics as a desired skill or requirement. I haven’t found a way to prove those numbers myself, but looking at job postings, I would argue in favor of that estimate. With ever-increasing amounts of data, businesses are looking for ways to interpret and understand that data. Statistics is often the most scientific way to do that. However, I think many analysts and Tableau developers struggle to implement statistics into their analysis or data visualizations. There are many reasons for this, and I will be the first one to tell you that it is not for lack of trying. Statistics can be intimidating for both developers and the stakeholders who rely on their reports. Trying to explain and interpret complex statistical equations is tough without a firm understanding of the discipline.
That is the exact purpose of this book. I want to equip you with that firm understanding of statistics and give you the confidence to speak to the equations and implement them in your work. In this book, I will be focusing on bringing data visualization in Tableau together with statistical analysis so that you can support your insights with scientific evidence.
In this chapter, I will introduce you to some common Tableau terminology I will be using throughout the book. I am also going to introduce you to some basic statistical terms and ideas. Toward the end of the chapter, I will present you with a case study ...