Data Analytics - Terms
Visualization:
(Refer to Data visualization)
SQL:
(Refer to Structured Query Language)
Fill handle:
A box in the lower-right-hand corner of a selected spreadsheet cell that can be dragged through neighboring cells in order to continue an instruction
Equation:
A calculation that involves addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division (also called a math expression)
Math expression:
A calculation that involves addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division (also called an equation)
Cell reference:
A cell or a range of cells in a worksheet typically used in formulas and functions
Attribute:
A characteristic or quality of data used to label a column in a table
attribute
A characteristic or quality of data used to label a column in a table
Pivot chart:
A chart created from the fields in a pivot table
Database:
A collection of data stored in a computer system
Dataset:
A collection of data that can be manipulated or analyzed as one unit
Data:
A collection of facts
Video file:
A collection of images, audio files, and other data usually encoded in a compressed format such as MP4, MV4, MOV, AVI, or FLV
Record:
A collection of related data in a data table, usually synonymous with row
Range:
A collection of two or more cells in a spreadsheet
Array
A collection of values in spreadsheet cells
Query language:
A computer programming language used to communicate with a database
Structured Query Language:
A computer programming language used to communicate with a database
Bias
A conscious or subconscious preference in favor of or against a person, group of people, or thing
Bad data source
A data source that is not reliable, original, comprehensive, current, and cited (ROCCC
Bad data source
A data source that is not reliable, original, comprehensive, current, and cited (ROCCC)
Pivot table:
A data summarization tool used to sort, reorganize, group, count, total, or average data
Boolean data
A data type with only two possible values, usually true or false
Boolean data:
A data type with only two possible values, usually true or false
bullet graph
A data visualization that displays data as a horizontal bar chart moving toward a desired value
bubble chart
A data visualization that displays individual data points as bubbles, comparing numeric values by their relative size
box plot
A data visualization that displays the distribution of values along an x-axis
area chart
A data visualization that uses individual data points for a changing variable connected by a continuous line with a filled in area underneath
bar graph
A data visualization that uses size to contrast and compare two or more values
Relational database:
A database that contains a series of tables that can be connected to form relationships
Long data:
A dataset in which each row is one time point per subject, so each subject has data in multiple rows
Wide data:
A dataset in which every data subject has a single row with multiple columns to hold the values of various attributes of the subject
Spreadsheet:
A digital worksheet
Data science:
A field of study that uses raw data to create new ways of modeling and understanding the unknown
Return on investment (ROI):
A formula that uses the metrics of investment and profit to evaluate the success of an investment
Math function:
A function that is used as part of a mathematical formula
agenda
A list of scheduled appointme
Agenda:
A list of scheduled appointments
Metric goal:
A measurable goal set by a company and evaluated using metrics
Gap analysis:
A method for examining and evaluating the current state of a process in order to identify opportunities for improvement in the future
Data element:
A piece of information in a dataset
Cloud:
A place to keep data online, rather than a computer hard drive
Function:
A preset command that automatically performs a specified process or task using the data in a spreadsheet
Algorithm
A process or set of rules followed for a specific task
Algorithm:
A process or set of rules followed for a specific task
Fairness:
A quality of data analysis that does not create or reinforce bias
Relevant question:
A question that has significance to the problem to be solved
Specific question:
A question that is simple, significant, and focused on a single topic or a few closely related ideas
Unfair question:
A question that makes assumptions or is difficult to answer honestly
Time-bound question:
A question that specifies a timeframe to be studied
Leading question:
A question that steers people toward a certain response
Measurable question:
A question whose answers can be quantified and assessed
Action-oriented question:
A question whose answers lead to change
Absolute Reference
A reference within a function that is locked so that rows and columns won't change if the function is copied
Query:
A request for data or information from a database
String data type:
A sequence of characters and punctuation that contains textual information (Refer to Text data type)
Text data type:
A sequence of characters and punctuation that contains textual information (also called string data type)
Formula:
A set of instructions used to perform a calculation using the data in a spreadsheet
Field:
A single piece of information from a row or column of a spreadsheet; in a data table, typically a column in the table
Metric:
A single, quantifiable type of data that is used for measurement
Cookie:
A small file stored on a computer that contains information about its users
Quantitative data:
A specific and objective measure, such as a number, quantity, or range
SUM:
A spreadsheet function that adds the values of a selected range of cells
COUNT:
A spreadsheet function that counts the number of cells in a range that meet a specified criteria
AVERAGE
A spreadsheet function that returns an average of the values from a selected range
AVERAGE:
A spreadsheet function that returns an average of the values from a selected range
AVERAGEIF
A spreadsheet function that returns the average of all cell values from a given range that meet a specified condition
MAX:
A spreadsheet function that returns the largest numeric value from a range of cells
MIN:
A spreadsheet function that returns the smallest numeric value from a range of cells
Business metric
A standard of measurement used to solve a business task
Report:
A static collection of data periodically given to stakeholders
Qualitative data:
A subjective and explanatory measure of a quality or characteristic
United States Census Bureau:
An agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that serves as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy
Scope of work (SOW):
An agreed-upon outline of the tasks to be performed during a project
Data type:
An attribute that describes a piece of data based on its values, its programming language, or the operations it can perform
Digital photo:
An electronic or computer-based image usually in BMP or JPG format
Assignment Operator
An operator used to assign values to variables and vectors
Arithmetic Operator
An operator used to perform basic math operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Second-party data:
Data collected by a group directly from its audience and then sold
First-party data:
Data collected by an individual or group using their own resources
Structured data:
Data organized in a certain format such as rows and columns
Third-party data:
Data provided from outside sources who didn't collect it directly
Open data:
Data that is available to the public
Discrete data:
Data that is counted and has a limited number of values
Continuous data:
Data that is measured and can have almost any numeric value
Unstructured data:
Data that is not organized in any easily identifiable manner
Internal data:
Data that lives within a company's own systems
External data:
Data that lives, and is generated, outside of an organization
Audio file:
Digitized audio storage usually in an MP3, AAC, or other compressed format
audio file
Digitized audio storage usually in an MP3, AAC, or other compressed format
Data-inspired decision-making:
Exploring different data sources to find out what they have in common
Access Control
Features such as password protection, user permissions, and encryption that are used to protect a spreadsheet
Anscombe's Quartet
Four datasets that have nearly identical summary statistics but contain different plotted values
Data design:
How information is organized
Sample:
In data analytics, a segment of a population that is representative of the entire population
Population:
In data analytics, all possible data values in a dataset
Pixel:
In digital imaging, a small area of illumination on a display screen that, when combined with other adjacent areas, forms a digital image
Argument (R)
Information needed by a function in R in order to run
Big Data
Large, complex datasets typically involving long periods of time, which enable data analysts to address far-reaching business problems
Big data:
Large, complex datasets typically involving long periods of time, which enable data analysts to address far-reaching business problems
Borders
Lines that can be added around two or more cells on a spreadsheet
Borders:
Lines that can be added around two or more cells on a spreadsheet
Administrative metadata
Metadata that indicates the technical source of a digital asset
Stakeholders:
People who invest time and resources into a project and are interested in its outcome
Ordinal data:
Qualitative data with a set order or scale
Analytical skills
Qualities and characteristics associated with using facts to solve problems
Analytical skills:
Qualities and characteristics associated with using facts to solve problems
Small data:
Small, specific data points typically involving a short period of time, which are useful for making day-to-day decisions
Data analyst:
Someone who collects, transforms, and organizes data in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
Aliasing
Temporarily naming a table or column in a query to make it easier to read and write
annotation
Text that briefly explains data or helps focus the audience on a particular aspect of the data in a visualization
alternative text
Text that provides an alternative to non-text content, such as images and videos
Technical mindset:
The ability to break things down into smaller steps or pieces and work with them in an orderly and logical way
Problem domain:
The area of analysis that encompasses every activity affecting or affected by a problem
Ownership:
The aspect of data ethics that presumes individuals own the raw data they provide and have primary control over its usage, processing, and sharing
Observation:
The attributes that describe a piece of data contained in a row of a table
Data analysis:
The collection, transformation, and organization of data in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making
Context:
The condition in which something exists or happens
Accuracy
The degree to which data conforms to the actual entity being measured or described
Balance
The design principle of creating aesthetic appeal and clarity in a data visualization by evenly distributing visual elements
Header:
The first row in a spreadsheet that labels the type of data in each column
Data visualization:
The graphical representation of data
Data strategy:
The management of the people, processes, and tools used in data analysis
Sorting:
The process of arranging data into a meaningful order to make it easier to understand, analyze, and visualize
aggregation
The process of collecting or gathering many separate pieces into a whole
Analytical thinking:
The process of identifying and defining a problem, then solving it by using data in an organized, step-by-step manner
analytical thinking
The process of identifying and defining a problem, then solving it by using data in an organized, step-by-step manner
Structured thinking:
The process of recognizing the current problem or situation, organizing available information, revealing gaps and opportunities, and identifying options
Reframing:
The process of restating a problem or challenge, then redirecting it toward a potential resolution
Filtering:
The process of showing only the data that meets a specified criteria while hiding the rest
A/B Testing
The process of testing two variations of the same web page to determine which page is more successful at attracting user traffic and generating revenue
Business task
The question or problem data analysis resolves for a business
Business task:
The question or problem data analysis resolves for a business
Turnover rate:
The rate at which employees voluntarily leave a company
Root cause:
The reason why a problem occurs
Data analytics:
The science of data
Data life cycle:
The sequence of stages that data experiences, which include plan, capture, manage, analyze, archive, and destroy
Data analysis process:
The six phases of ask, prepare, process, analyze, share, and act whose purpose is to gain insights that drive informed decision-making
Revenue:
The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods or services
Data ecosystem:
The various elements that interact with one another in order to produce, manage, store, organize, analyze, and share data
Problem types:
The various problems that data analysts encounter, including categorizing things, discovering connections, finding patterns, identifying themes, making predictions, and spotting something unusual
Data-driven decision-making:
Using facts to guide business strategy
Order of operations:
Using parentheses to group together spreadsheet values in order to clarify the order in which operations should be performed
Social media:
Websites and applications through which users create and share content or participate in social networking
Operator:
A symbol that names the operation or calculation to be performed
SMART methodology:
A tool for determining a question's effectiveness based on whether it is specific, measurable, action-oriented, relevant, and time-bound
Data model:
A tool for organizing data elements and how they relate to one another
Dashboard:
A tool that monitors live, incoming data
Nominal data:
A type of qualitative data that is categorized without a set order
Aesthetic (R)
A visual property of an object in a plot