Statistics for Big Data For Dummies

The fast and easy way to make sense of statistics for big data Does the subject of data analysis make you dizzy? You've come to the right place! Statistics For Big Data For Dummies breaks this often-overwhelming subject down into easily digestible parts, offering new and aspiring data analysts the foundation they need to be successful in the field. Inside, you'll find an easy-to-follow introduction to exploratory data analysis, the lowdown on collecting, cleaning, and organizing data, everything you need to know about interpreting data using common software and programming languages, plain-English explanations of how to make sense of data in the real world, and much more. Data has never been easier to come by, and the tools students and professionals need to enter the world of big data are based on applied statistics. While the word "statistics" alone can evoke feelings of anxiety in even the most confident student or professional, it doesn't have to. Written in the familiar and friendly tone that has defined the For Dummies brand for more than twenty years, Statistics For Big Data For Dummies takes the intimidation out of the subject, offering clear explanations and tons of step-by-step instruction to help you make sense of data mining—without losing your cool. Helps you to identify valid, useful, and understandable patterns in data Provides guidance on extracting previously unknown information from large databases Shows you how to discover patterns available in big data Gives you access to the latest tools and techniques for working in big data If you're a student enrolled in a related Applied Statistics course or a professional looking to expand your skillset, Statistics For Big Data For Dummies gives you access to everything you need to succeed.

Introduction 1 Part I: Introducing Big Data Statistics 7 Chapter 1: What Is Big Data and What Do You Do With It? 9 Chapter 2: Characteristics of Big Data: The Three Vs 19 Chapter 3: Using Big Data: The Hot Applications 27 Chapter 4: Understanding Probabilities 41 Chapter 5: Basic Statistical Ideas 57 Part II: Preparing and Cleaning Data 81 Chapter 6: Dirty Work: Preparing Your Data for Analysis 83 Chapter 7: Figuring the Format: Important Computer File Formats 99 Chapter 8: Checking Assumptions: Testing for Normality 107 Chapter 9: Dealing with Missing or Incomplete Data 119 Chapter 10: Sending Out a Posse: Searching for Outliers 129 Part III: Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) 141 Chapter 11: An Overview of Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) 143 Chapter 12: A Plot to Get Graphical: Graphical Techniques 155 Chapter 13: You’re the Only Variable for Me: Univariate Statistical Techniques 173 Chapter 14: To All the Variables We’ve Encountered: Multivariate Statistical Techniques 191 Chapter 15: Regression Analysis 215 Chapter 16: When You’ve Got the Time: Time Series Analysis 243 Part IV: Big Data Applications 269 Chapter 17: Using Your Crystal Ball: Forecasting with Big Data 271 Chapter 18: Crunching Numbers: Performing Statistical Analysis on Your Computer 297 Chapter 19: Seeking Free Sources of Financial Data 319 Part V: The Part of Tens 331 Chapter 20: Ten (or So) Best Practices in Data Preparation 333 Chapter 21: Ten (or So) Questions Answered by Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) 339 Index 349