Simply put, data analysis is the process of extracting information from disordered information. By systematically exploring data for patterns and relationships, data analysts seek to find and communicate valuable insights from that data. But what counts as data? Well, anything you can think of. Data is usually in the form of numbers (quantitative data). But sounds, images, words, or anything else that you can interpret in some way can be classified as data (qualitative data).
A data analyst’s job begins with the so-called raw data. Raw data is data that is singapore number data disordered and without context, essentially meaningless. We can only extract useful information from it once we bring order out of chaos. In other words, after collecting, cleaning and organizing data are all part of the data analysis process.
Furthermore, good data analysts incorporate a variety of techniques to help facilitate the process. These include statistics, programming, visualization, and more. Fortunately, to speed up the process, many of these techniques have been automated. Some of them have morphed and are being developed as separate fields. However, a good data analyst will likely have some knowledge of each of these techniques.
Why is data analysis important?
There are two simple reasons why data analysis is important. First, it is useful for decision-making. Second, it is evidence-based. Combine these two attributes and data analysis becomes a powerful tool. Basing decisions on empirical information (rather than instinct) is a more scientific way of approaching problems. This does not mean that data analysis is 100% accurate, but it is the best tool we have for predicting future trends and drawing conclusions from past events.
Data analytics is applied in many areas of society. Online, you will often find data analytics associated with BI (Business Intelligence), for example, predicting future purchases, informing product development or spending on digital marketing in your company . However, data analytics goes beyond simply increasing a company’s sales. It is also used in the healthcare sector to improve patient care. It is currently being applied in agriculture to transform the way we feed the world. It is even used by governments to address human trafficking issues. So if you want to improve the world as well as your company, a career as a data analyst may be for you!
2. What does a data analyst actually do?
Now that we know what data analysis is, let's see what a data analyst does.
As a data analyst, it is your responsibility to transform raw data into useful insights. As part of the data analysis process (which we will discuss in the next section), you will be asked to solve certain problems or answer certain questions based on the data and the insights it provides. You will then take these insights and share them with the company’s stakeholders and decision-makers, who can then plan for the future of the company accordingly. At the same time, data analysts may be responsible for overseeing the overall data collection and storage processes, as well as creating guidelines for data quality.
Another good way to understand what a data analyst actually does in a day-to-day context is to look at the tasks and responsibilities that are typically listed in data analyst job description requirements.
Based on real job descriptions posted on Indeed , here's what you can expect from a data analyst:
Develop and implement database and data collection systems .
Work closely with management to identify key metrics and KPIs to prioritize business needs.
Collect data from primary and secondary sources.
Filter and clean data
Identify, analyze, and interpret trends and patterns in complex data sets
Visualize and present findings to key stakeholders
Build and customize reports
Develop and maintain dashboards
Create and maintain documentation regarding data models, metrics, and infrastructure.
So far, we’ve taken a quick look at what a data analyst does and what they do. Now, let’s take a closer look at the specific tasks of a data analyst job.
3. What tasks and processes does a data analyst perform?
As a data analyst, your job is to perform each step of the data analysis process to solve and identify problems. As your career progresses, you may choose to specialize in other areas of the same field, such as data visualization or data engineering. As a beginner, however, it is important to learn the process as a whole.
