Since Exploratory data analysis is defined as an informal investigation that emphasizes qualitative descriptions and visual representation of data, it does not carry the same rigor as many other forms of analysis.
Research on any topic demands data exploration. The exploration is about different features and factors of available data. Data is a basic need to extract reliable results in any research work. Data is not always in a structured form, but you have to organise it in the best way. The raw sets of data do not make any connection, so in order to spot the interesting and profitable possibilities of data, you have to get insights. In this regard, it can benefit you. As per its importance, this article aims to discuss exploratory data analysis in detail.
What is Exploratory Data Analysis?
A data set can work as a treasure if you explore it from different angles. As a researcher or data analyst, it is your responsibility to uncover the important aspects of data. Also, you need to highlight the facts and figures present in your data. Here, exploratory data analysis is an approach to get insights into data. In this analysis, you follow different steps in a standard order. Before analysing the data, you must be clear about the aspects directly and indirectly linked with exploratory analysis. One of the main aspects is an openness that highlights the characteristic of data exploration. The openness should be of all prospects of data exploration.
Another important aspect of data exploration is about scepticism. Scepticism is an act that helps in the data judgement. Basically, data exploration is a way to investigate about different possibilities. So, scepticism works well to keep that exploration systematically. It includes data evaluation and accurate description with the help of effective claims. It is scepticism that allows you to use a logical question in data evaluation. The main purpose behind this step is to get the best out of available data. However, if you are unable to do things better, hire the best dissertation writing services UK.
Why Do We Need Exploratory Data Analysis?
There are different factors that make it necessary to use exploratory data analysis. First of all, you have to ensure that this analysis approach does not have particular methods to get the best results. Furthermore, the exploratory analysis does not work on assumptions, but it aims to go for realistic data exploration. In other data analysis approaches, you can make assumptions. Also, you can target a particular aspect of data.
In contrast, the exploratory analysis does not allow for force evaluation. In this analysis, the objective is to highlight the original information. The target on a single aspect of data can cause data biasness, while discussion on its multiple aspects makes it unbiased. Whenever there is a need for data detection for mistakes and outliers, you can use exploratory analysis of data. It also fulfils the need to build relationships for multiple factors of data.
What Are the Steps of Exploratory Data Analysis?
Based on the data type and study aim, you may have to deal with different steps of exploratory data analysis. As a researcher or data professional, you must be clear about the key terms of exploratory analysis. In this way, you would not have to face challenges in multiple steps of analysis. Now let’s move towards the key steps of exploratory analysis. These steps are mentioned below:
Data Observation
The start of exploratory analysis should be from data observation. In data observation, the focus should be on data structure and issues. In the data structure, note down sample size and type. Sample size includes information related to several sheets, rows and columns. On the other hand, data type includes information related to a targeted audience and particular area. In exploratory analysis, observation should not be rough, but it requires a high level of judgement. There should be a critical observation of data.
Identification of Missing Information
The second step of exploratory data analysis is about information. In this step, you have to identify the information present in the data as well as missing information. Furthermore, identify the cause behind missing data. The simplest way to get such information is through data trends. By working on information provided in datasets, you can better identify the patterns of values. In this way, you can estimate the extra as well as missing sets of data.
Set Different Categories of Data
In the third step of exploratory analysis, there should be data categorisation. The categories of data make a structure that highlights multiple patterns of a single data set. As you know, the exploratory analysis aims to determine different data angles, so here is the step that determines different angles in terms of different categories.
Shape Up the Available Data
The most important step of exploratory analysis is the shape of data. The purpose of data shape is to distribute data in different structures. One of the best ways to perform this step is to go for valuable data features. These features include data skewness as well as kurtosis.
Determine Relationships of Data Variables
Once you are done with data categorisation, now there should be a proper relation between different data variables. For example, you have two categories of data in your PhD dissertation. Here, you have to determine how one dataset is building a relationship with another one. The values and variables can have at least one relation.
Highlight Data Oddity
In the last step, you need to highlight the oddity of the data. It includes all data that have an exception from the whole dataset. For example, you have a dataset with different categories and shapes. In these datasets, there might be some values that are extremely different from the rest of the values. It can be the lowest as well as highest values in a dataset.
Final Thoughts
Exploratory data analysis is necessary to conduct before you model it. Without exploratory analysis, getting the best results out of the model is challenging. The above-mentioned points can guide you well in exploratory analysis. By understanding the key terms and necessity of analysis, you can perform it very well. Also, the steps to conduct analysis can help you about variables and their productive relationship.