Head First Data Analysis: A Learner's Guide to Big Numbers, Statistics, and Good Decisions - Softcover

Milton, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0596153937 ISBN 13: 9780596153939

Publisher: O′Reilly, 2009

Synopsis

Interpreting data is a critical decision-making factor for businesses and organizations. This title helps you learn how to collect and organize data, sort the distractions from the truth, find meaningful patterns, draw conclusions, predict the future, and present your findings to others.

About this title

Synopsis:

This book is for anyone who deals with data. That's most of us, so wouldn't it be great if you could deal with that data faster and more effectively? "Head First Data Analysis" is a practical title that guides you through all facets of data analysis; dealing with people who gather information, then sorting and cleaning the data. Once you've got your base data, you'll look through it to find patterns, tell stories, map space and time, and even predict the future. You already know a lot about how to tell stories with information, couple that skill with the tools you'll learn in this book and you'll be able to make smarter decisions based on your analysis. You'll be able use your creativity to gain profound insights into how your business works and where it's going through novel, interesting judgements about the data you want to understand. If you actively tell stories with data, rather than merely grinding out 'canned routines', you'll be better understood by your consumers and better able to make real substantive claims about the data. This book will help you do that using the tried and tested Head First methodology and visually rich format designed for the way your brain works.

Based on the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory, this book combines words and pictures in a playful, mixed-media style that not only helps you understand data analysis, but also to remember it. And along the way, you'll learn how to apply these theories to your own analysis!

About the Author:

Michael Milton likes books. Before his first day of high school wrestling, he checked out a stack of books on technique from the library and practiced on his not-terribly-enthusiastic little sister. Then he spent the first few minutes of tryouts kicking the butts of other newbies, until the experienced wrestlers realized how much fun it would be to kick his. Within a few months, he became a decent wrestler, but he always stayed a bit ahead of the other newbies because of those books.

His life has consisted of gleefully going through that process over and over again in completely unrelated fields. Naturally, he's a Head First fanatic.

Until recently Michael spent most of time looking at databases to help nonprofit organizations figure out how to make more money. He has a degree in philosophy from New College of Florida and one in religious ethics from Yale University. When he's not in the library or the bookstore, you can find him in-line skating, taking pictures, and brewing beer.

About this edition

• Publisher: O′Reilly
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0596153937
• ISBN 13: 9780596153939
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 484