Introduction to Data Analytics – Lecture Notes
1. What is Data Analytics?
Data Analytics refers to the process of examining datasets to draw conclusions about the information
they contain. It combines statistical techniques, programming, and domain expertise to turn raw data
into insights.
2. Types of Data Analytics
- Descriptive Analytics: What happened? - Diagnostic Analytics: Why did it happen? - Predictive
Analytics: What will happen? - Prescriptive Analytics: What should we do?
3. Data Analytics Process
a) Data Collection: Gathering raw data from databases, APIs, or files. b) Data Cleaning: Removing
duplicates, handling missing values, fixing errors. c) Data Analysis: Applying statistical methods and
algorithms. d) Data Visualization: Presenting findings in charts, graphs, dashboards.
4. Tools and Technologies
- Excel, SQL, Python (Pandas, NumPy), R - Visualization tools: Power BI, Tableau - Big Data
frameworks: Hadoop, Spark
5. Applications of Data Analytics
- Business: Customer segmentation, sales forecasting - Healthcare: Predicting patient outcomes -
Manufacturing: Quality control, predictive maintenance - Finance: Fraud detection, risk management
6. Case Study Example
A retail company uses predictive analytics to forecast demand during holiday seasons. By analyzing
past sales and customer behavior, they optimize inventory and reduce costs.
7. Conclusion
Data Analytics is a key enabler of data-driven decision making. By mastering the tools and techniques,
professionals can unlock valuable insights and create a competitive advantage.
