DATA MINING & DATA WRANGLING

Lead in:

1. In pairs, brainstorm different types of data that can be collected and analyzed using data mining techniques.
Come up with as many examples as possible.
2. You will be given slips of paper with some real-world examples of data visualization or analysis that resulted
from data mining. Discuss the impact of this analysis and how it could be used to make informed decisions.

A. The process of gathering and measuring information relevant to a specific question or problem.
B. A statistical technique for estimating the future values of a series of data points.
C. The speed at which data is generated and collected.
D. The process of identifying and correcting errors or inconsistencies in a dataset.
E. A value in a dataset that falls significantly outside the normal range.
F. The process of combining data from multiple sources into a single dataset.
G. A characteristic or attribute that can take on different values.
H. The amount of data collected, stored, and processed.
I. The process of identifying hidden patterns or relationships within a dataset.
J. The process of changing data from one format to another.
K. A statistical technique for modeling the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent
variables.
L. To find and identify something specific within a dataset.
M. The process of organizing, cleaning, and transforming data for analysis.
N. A set of summarized data points representing a collection of individual values.
O. Existing beforehand, established in advance.
P. The process of grouping similar data points together.
Q. To deal with or take care of a situation or data point.
R. The process of selecting and retrieving specific data from a larger source.
S. A lack of agreement or conformity between different parts of a dataset.

Reading

In the era of Big Data, companies are collecting vast amounts of information about their customers, operations, and
products. However, this raw data is often unstructured and messy, making it difficult to analyze and extract valuable
insights. This is where data mining and data wrangling come into play.

Data mining is the process of discovering patterns, correlations, and trends in large datasets to identify useful
information. It involves using various techniques from statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to
uncover hidden patterns and relationships. The goal of data mining is to turn raw data into actionable knowledge
that can be used for decision-making and problem-solving.

Data wrangling, on the other hand, is the process of cleaning, transforming, and preparing raw data for analysis. It
involves converting data from one format to another, handling missing values and outliers, and resolving
inconsistencies and errors in the data. Data wrangling is a critical step in the data mining process because the quality
of the data directly affects the accuracy and reliability of the results.
The need for data mining and wrangling has become even more important in recent years due to the increasing
volume, variety, and velocity of data. Traditional methods of data analysis are no longer sufficient to handle the
sheer amount of data being generated every day. Companies are now turning to data mining and wrangling tools
and techniques to gain meaningful insights from their data and stay competitive in the market.

There are several popular data mining techniques that are commonly used in practice. One such technique is
classification, which involves categorizing data into predefined classes or groups based on their attributes. For
example, a bank might use classification to predict whether a customer is likely to default on their loan based on
their credit history.

Another common technique is clustering, which involves grouping similar data points together based on their
characteristics. Clustering is often used in customer segmentation, where customers are divided into different
groups based on their purchasing behavior or demographic information. This helps companies better understand
their customers and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.

Association rule mining is another widely used technique, which involves discovering interesting relationships
between different items in a dataset. For example, a grocery store might use association rule mining to identify
which products are often purchased together, such as chips and soda. This information can then be used for product
placement and promotional campaigns.

In addition to these techniques, there are also more advanced data mining methods such as anomaly detection,
regression analysis, and time series forecasting. Each technique has its own strengths and limitations, and the
choice of technique depends on the specific problem and the nature of the data.

While data mining focuses on extracting insights from data, data wrangling is concerned with preparing the data for
analysis. Data wrangling typically involves several steps, starting with data collection and acquisition. This is
followed by data cleaning, where missing values and outliers are identified and handled. Data transformation is
then performed to convert the data into a suitable format for analysis. This may involve aggregating data, merging
datasets, or creating new variables based on existing ones. Finally, the prepared data is loaded into a data mining
tool or software for analysis.

Data wrangling can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, especially when dealing with large and
complex datasets. However, advancements in technology have made this process easier and more efficient. There
are now numerous tools and software available that automate many of the data wrangling tasks, such as data
cleaning and transformation. These tools allow analysts to spend less time on data preparation and more time on
data analysis and interpretation.

In conclusion, data mining and wrangling are two essential components of the data analytics pipeline. They play a
crucial role in turning raw data into valuable insights that can drive business decisions and improve operational
efficiency. With the increasing availability of data and advancements in technology, data mining and wrangling are
becoming even more important in today's data-driven world.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between data mining and data wrangling?

2. How does data mining help in turning raw data into actionable knowledge?

3. Why has the need for data mining and wrangling increased in recent years?

4. Can you explain the classification technique used in data mining with an example?

5. How is clustering beneficial for companies in understanding their customers?

6. Give an example of how association rule mining can be applied in a real-world scenario.

7. What are some advanced data mining methods mentioned in the text, and when are they typically used?