Exam notes Data Analytics

Quantitative data

Quantitative data

Data that is measurable and specific, often numerical, and can be easily charted or graphed. It can provide a large sample size and identify relationships, but may lack depth and be superficial.

Qualitative data

Data about qualities or attributes that is harder to measure than quantitative data. It is gathered through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and observation, and provides rich, in-depth studies of participants.

Data

Raw, unorganized facts, figures, or symbols that can include text, numbers, sounds, or images.

Information

Data that has been manipulated into a meaningful and useful form, often organized and presented to suit the needs of the audience.

Primary data

Firsthand data collected by the investigator themselves, providing a firsthand account of a person, object, event, or phenomena.

Secondary data

Data collected by someone other than the user and used for the project.

Surveys

Method of data collection through a range of questions, often with multiple-choice or scale responses. Must be carefully worded and properly referenced.

Interviews

Face-to-face method of data collection, allowing for in-depth follow-up and clarification. Can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured.

Focus groups

Meeting of a small group of individuals for a loosely structured discussion to obtain necessary data on attitudes and opinions.

Observation

Method of data collection where the researcher approaches participants in their own environment, making careful notes and recording all accounts.

Relevance

Data must be appropriate to the discussion and current to be usable and meaningful for decision making.

Accuracy

Data must be correct in all details and free from errors to ensure the quality of insights and decision making based on the data.

Bias

Prejudicial or unreasoned judgment that can be introduced into data through influences like vested interests, timing, and small sample sizes.

Reliability

Data sources must be trustworthy and able to be trusted for the data to be reliable.

Data integrity

Refers to the quality of the data and the absence of errors, ensuring the integrity of the data set.

Data type

A particular kind of data item or attribute defined by the values it can take and how it is intended to be used.

Data structure

A particular way of organizing a collection of data items to improve the efficiency of the data-handling process.

File

A data structure that can hold numerous data items, arrays, or records and is saved separately from the software program.

Array

A collection of data items of the same data type, with each item having an address.

Record

A collection of data items of different data types, with each element referred to as a field.

Informed consent

A process where participants in research are provided with sufficient information to make an informed decision about whether or not to participate.

De-identification

The process of removing personal identifiers, such as names and birthdates, from data to protect the privacy of individuals.

Encryption

The process of translating data into a code that can only be read by authorized users, ensuring the secure protection of sensitive information.

Backups

The process of regularly creating copies of critical data files to prevent inadvertent loss and maintain privacy.

Password and username protection

Security measures that restrict access to information and allow only authorized users to make changes.

Firewall

Hardware and software that restrict access to data and information on a network, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Malware protection

Software used to prevent malicious software, such as viruses and spyware, from accessing and sending personal information.

Whitelisting and blacklisting

Methods of controlling the content, applications, or entities that are allowed or blocked from accessing a device or network.

Australian Privacy Principles

Regulations that govern the acquisition, management, and communication of data and information, including non-identification of individuals, holding information for its primary purpose, and implementing security measures.

Ethical issues

Dilemmas arising from the acquisition, storage, and use of data and information, including informed consent, confidentiality, and privacy concerns.

Spreadsheet

An electronic program consisting of rows and columns used to manipulate, calculate, view, and record data.

Functions in spreadsheets

Specific operations that can be performed on data, such as multiplying numbers or finding the median.

Absolute cell referencing

A method of keeping a specific cell reference constant in a formula by using dollar signs.

Formatting cells

Customizing the appearance of cells, such as changing the font, color, or number format.

Validation

Setting restrictions on the data that can be entered into a cell, ensuring data integrity.

Protection

Securing a document or worksheet to prevent unauthorized changes or access to certain cells.

Database

An organized collection of data and information used to store and retrieve information in an accurate and effective manner.

Tables

Structures within a database that store raw data and contain fields.

Queries

Tools used to ask questions about the data in a database and retrieve specific information.

Forms

Interfaces used to input data into a database and open records.

Reports

Professional-looking documents that present information from a database in a structured format.

Records

Sets of related fields containing all the data about a specific person, company, or item in a database.

Fields

Individual pieces of data within a record, usually appearing as columns in a database table.

Data visualisation

The representation of information through software tools to present it in a graphical form, such as histograms, bar charts, maps, and network diagrams.

Chart

A method of visually displaying information and data using symbols, often used to visualize numerical data.

Map

The most popular method of displaying geographically related data, allowing for the visualization of data distribution in different regions.

Network

A visual representation of the relationship between two data entities or sets, using links and nodes to identify correlations.

Flow visualisation

The representation of data that illustrates the flow pattern of one or more data items, such as customer movements in a supermarket or the flow patterns of invisible objects like air.

Geospatial visualisation

The conveyance of information related to geographical data, allowing for the correlation of different variables to geographical locations.

Time visualisation

The representation of data over a period of time, showing the order or variations of data items.

Matrix visualisation

The use of grids to show the composition of individual items in a sample size, allowing for comparison of different data items.

Dynamic data visualisation

The ability for the appearance of an infographic to be changed by the user, often by updating the data to include the latest information.

Functional requirements

Descriptions of the behavior or function that the data visualisation should have, including usability and accuracy.

Usability

The ease with which users can understand and acquire information from a graphic solution.

Non-functional requirements

Descriptions of the appearance of the data visualisation, including alignment, repetition, contrast, space, and balance.

Constraints

Factors that limit or restrict the data visualisation, such as economic, technical, social, legal, and usability constraints.

Economic constraints

Constraints related to time and budget that can impact the design and development of the solution.

Technical constraints

Constraints related to the hardware and software available for the project, including factors like memory and processing speeds.

Social constraints

Constraints related to the level of user expertise and the ability to effectively use the data visualisation.

Legal requirements

Constraints related to privacy and copyright laws that must be considered when designing the solution.

Scope

The work that needs to be done to complete the data visualisation, informed by the functions and features of the solution.

Design tools

Tools used to represent the functionality or appearance of the data visualisation solution, including layout diagrams, mock-ups, and IPO charts.

Appearance design tools

Tools used to determine the appearance of the solution, such as layout diagrams, annotated diagrams, and mock-ups.

IPO charts

Charts used to identify the input, output, and processing steps required for the solution.

Flowcharts

Visual representations of the procedural stages needed for the solution to work.

Storyboards

Tools used to demonstrate how a dynamic data visualisation may be animated or updated, addressing user interactions.

Formats

Elements that can be changed or formatted according to user preference, such as font type, size, and color.

Conventions

General and traditional rules followed when using a particular tool, such as bold column headings and left-aligned text.

Spreadsheet

A tool used to organize and manipulate data, with the aim of achieving clarity and purpose in workbooks and sheets.

Naming Convention

A convention used in spreadsheets to name sheets and label units and denominations consistently, providing clarity and organization.

Data Alignment

The practice of consistently aligning data of the same type down rows and across columns in spreadsheets, with text aligned left and numbers aligned right.

Range Naming Prefixes

A convention used in advanced interactive spreadsheet models to name ranges, providing clarity and organization.

Fill Color

A format used in spreadsheets to define areas or sheets, or indicate the content of a cell by using different colors.

Database Conventions

Conventions used in databases to ensure ease of use and predictability, such as developing consistent patterns and naming conventions.

Camel Case

A naming convention used in databases, where words are concatenated and the first letter of each subsequent word is capitalized.

Data Visualization

The practice of presenting data in a visual format, following conventions such as using concise and meaningful titles, clearly labeled axis, and simplicity over complexity.

Source Citation

The practice of providing the source of data in data visualizations to ensure authenticity and reliability.

Text Styles

Different fonts used in data visualizations, such as Times New Roman for body text, Arial for headings, and Courier New for legibility.

Input Validation

The process of checking data input for legality, reasonableness, correct spelling, and adherence to specified criteria.

Evaluation Criteria

Measures used to determine whether a solution meets the information needs of the client, such as effectiveness and efficiency.

Evaluation Strategies

Methods used to measure and evaluate each criterion, including interviews, surveys, observations, and reviewing solution output.

Evaluation Report

A report stating whether a solution meets the information needs of the client, based on the assessment of each evaluation criterion.

Hardware

The physical components of digital systems, including input devices, output devices, processors, storage devices, and communication devices.

Software

Programs used to control computing devices, such as spreadsheets, databases, and applications.

Input Device

A peripheral device that allows users to send data and commands to software and the operating system, such as keyboards and mice.

Output Device

A device that displays information from a computer in human-readable form, such as printers and monitors.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The main processor that handles data manipulation and controls other hardware components in a computer system.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

The primary storage of a computer that stores instructions and values when programs are running or being created.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A storage device that uses mechanical platters and a moving read/write head to access data.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A storage device that stores data on instantly-accessible memory chips, providing faster access and reliability compared to HDDs.

Communication Hardware

Hardware used for sending and receiving data between computers, such as ports and connectors.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A standardized high-speed connection used to connect various devices, such as flash drives and printers.

Operating System (OS)

Software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides a user interface for interaction with the computer.

Software Driver

A software component that enables the operating system to communicate with hardware devices by translating commands into a language understood by the hardware.

Web browsers

Software applications used to communicate and access information on the internet.

Embedded software

Software specifically designed to control devices, such as those found in TVs.

System software

Tools used to manage hardware and run user's programs, including the operating system and related files and programs.

Computing platform

The stage where computer programs run, consisting of the CPU and operating system.

Application software

Computer programs used to perform work or complete tasks, such as Microsoft Word.

Utilities

Small software tools that add functionality to an operating system, often included with the OS.