Data Analyst (Business intelligence -BI) vs. Data Science

Differences in Data Roles

BI focuses on what type of analysis?

BI focuses on what type of analysis? Data Analyst-BI focuses on Descriptive Analytics. This means understanding "What happened?" and "Why did it happen?"

What kind of questions does BI typically address?

BI addresses specific, known questions, like "Why are sales declining?" or "Which products are selling best?"

What type of data sources does a Data Analyst (BI) primarily use?

BI uses static, structured data sources, such as neat tables in databases.

What are common tools used in BI?

Common BI tools include Excel, SQL, Power BI, and Tableau. These are often for self-service reporting.

What is the main goal of BI (Data Analytics)?

The main goal of BI is to identify patterns and trends within existing data to gain insight.

Data Science focuses on what types of analysis?

Data Science focuses on Predictive & Prescriptive Analytics. This means answering "What will happen?" and "What should we do?"

What kind of questions does Data Science typically address?

Data Science addresses unknowns or more complex questions, like "Which employees are likely to leave?" or "Which product will a customer buy next?"

What type of data can Data Science handle?

Data Science can handle high-velocity, structured, or unstructured data, including text, images, audio, and sensor data.

What are common tools used in Data Science?

Common Data Science tools include programming languages like R and Python, along with various open-source libraries for statistics and machine learning.

What is the main goal of Data Science?

The main goal of Data Science is to test hypotheses and build models to make predictions and recommendations.

Between Business Intelligence and Data Science, which field focuses on understanding the past (what happened)?

Business Intelligence focuses on understanding the past. It involves analyzing historical data to gain insights and support decision-making.

Between Business Intelligence (Data Analytics) and Data Science, which field focuses on predicting the future and making recommendations?

Data Science focuses on predicting the future and making recommendations.

Between Business Intelligence and Data Science, which field typically deals with "known" business questions?

Business Intelligence typically deals with known business questions.

Between Business Intelligence and Data Science, which field typically explores "unknowns" or more complex, unasked questions?

Data Science typically explores unknowns.

Between Business Intelligence and Data Science, which field primarily uses structured data like tables?

Business Intelligence primarily uses structured data.

Between Business Intelligence and Data Science, which field can work with all types of data, including messy or unstructured data?

Data Science can work with all types of data.

Between Business Intelligence and Data Science, which field provides reports and dashboards for insights?

Business Intelligence provides reports and dashboards.

Between Business Intelligence and Data Science, which field builds predictive models and algorithms?

Data Science builds predictive models and algorithms.

What is a data analyst’s (Business Intelligence) main job?

To look at past data, find useful insights, and help others make better decisions based on that information.