April 2012
Beginner to intermediate
304 pages
8h 5m
English
book
Taming The Big Data Tidal Wave: Finding Opportunities in Huge Data Streams with Advanced Analytics
by Bill Franks
Content preview from Taming The Big Data Tidal Wave: Finding Opportunities in Huge Data Streams with Advanced AnalyticsBecome an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.
CHAPTER 7
What Makes a Great Analysis?
Computing statistics, writing a report, and applying a modeling algorithm are each only one step of many required for generating a great analysis. There is no “easy” button that lets you take one simple step and get a solid result. Not understanding and focusing on what is required to do an analysis right can cause a lot of pain, lead to wrong decisions, and generate enormous levels of extra work.
This chapter will explore several themes. We’ll start by clarifying a few definitions, and then we’ll discuss a variety of themes that relate to creating a great analysis. Each theme will contain a lesson in the nuances that separate reporting or statistic generation from analysis, as well as meaningful analysis from useless analysis.
The principles discussed apply broadly and are not specific to big data. However, with big data adding even more complexity to the mix than organizations are used to dealing with, it’s more crucial than ever to keep the principles in mind. Your organization won’t be able to tame the big data tidal wave by reports alone. Nor will you be able to tame it through substandard analytics.
ANALYSIS VERSUS REPORTING
Too many organizations mistakenly equate reporting with analysis. That may seem harsh at first glance, so let’s clarify what is meant by the statement. Reports are important and can be valuable. Reports used correctly will add value. But reports have their limits, and it is important to understand what they are. ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access
More than 5,000 organizations count on O’Reilly
O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.Julian F.
I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.Addison B.
I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.Amir M.
I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.