Delve into your data for the key to success
Data mining is quickly becoming integral to creating value and
business momentum. The ability to detect unseen patterns hidden in
the numbers exhaustively generated by day-to-day operations allows
savvy decision-makers to exploit every tool at their disposal in
the pursuit of better business. By creating models and testing
whether patterns hold up, it is possible to discover new
intelligence that could change your business’s entire paradigm for
a more successful outcome.
Data Mining for Dummies shows you why it doesn’t take a
data scientist to gain this advantage, and empowers average
business people to start shaping a process relevant to their
business’s needs. In this book, you’ll learn the hows and whys of
mining to the depths of your data, and how to make the case for
heavier investment into data mining capabilities. The book explains
the details of the knowledge discovery process including:
* Model creation, validity testing, and interpretation
* Effective communication of findings
* Available tools, both paid and open-source
* Data selection, transformation, and evaluation
Data Mining for Dummies takes you step-by-step through a
real-world data-mining project using open-source tools that allow
you to get immediate hands-on experience working with large amounts
of data. You’ll gain the confidence you need to start making data
mining practices a routine part of your successful business. If
you’re serious about doing everything you can to push your company
to the top, Data Mining for Dummies is your ticket to
effective data mining.
Tabella dei contenuti
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started with Data Mining 5
Chapter 1: Catching the Data-Mining Train 7
Chapter 2: A Day in Your Life as a Data Miner 17
Chapter 3: Teaming Up to Reach Your Goals 49
Part II: Exploring Data-Mining Mantras and Methods 61
Chapter 4: Learning the Laws of Data Mining 63
Chapter 5: Embracing the Data-Mining Process 73
Chapter 6: Planning for Data-Mining Success 89
Chapter 7: Gearing Up with the Right Software 97
Part III: Gathering the Raw Materials 109
Chapter 8: Digging into Your Data 111
Chapter 9: Making New Data 119
Chapter 10: Ferreting Out Public Data Sources 141
Chapter 11: Buying Data 163
Part IV: A Data Miner’s Survival Kit 171
Chapter 12: Getting Familiar with Your Data 173
Chapter 13: Dealing in Graphic Detail 195
Chapter 14: Showing Your Data Who’s Boss 219
Chapter 15: Your Exciting Career in Modeling 245
Part V: More Data-Mining Methods 273
Chapter 16: Data Mining Using Classic Statistical Methods 275
Chapter 17: Mining Data for Clues 295
Chapter 18: Expanding Your Horizons 307
Part VI: The Part of Tens 319
Chapter 19: Ten Great Resources for Data Miners 321
Chapter 20: Ten Useful Kinds of Analysis That Complement Data Mining 325
Appendix A: Glossary 333
Appendix B: Data-Mining Software Sources 339
Appendix C: Major Data Vendors 349
Appendix D: Sources and Citations 357
Index 361
Circa l’autore
Meta S. Brown helps organizations use practical data
analysis to solve everyday business problems. A hands-on data miner
who has tackled projects with up to $900 million at stake, she is a
recognized expert in cutting-edge business analytics.