Becoming a Data Head. Alex J. Gutman
William Brenneman and Jen Stirrup, we appreciate your suggestions and expertise. The book is better because of you.
Special thanks to my coauthor Jordan Goldmeier, for one obvious reason (the book in your hands) and one not so obvious. Early in my career, I complained to Jordan that people didn't share my interest in statistics and statistical thinking. He said if I'm bothered by it, then it's my obligation to change it. I've been working to fulfill that obligation ever since.
Finally, I'd like to thank my wife Erin one final time (because you've got to save the best for last).
—Alex
I would like to acknowledge the many people who brought this book together.
First, and foremost, I would like to acknowledge my coauthor-in-crime, Alex Gutman. For years, we discussed writing a book together. When the moment was right, we pulled the trigger. I couldn't have asked for a better coauthor.
Thanks to the wonderful folks at Wiley who helped put this together, including acquisition editor Jim Minatel, and project editor John Sleeva. Also, I would like to acknowledge our technical editors, William Brenneman and Jen Stirrup for your hard work reviewing the book. We took your comments to heart.
Last but not least, thank you to my partner, Katie Gray, who always believed in this project—and me.
—Jordan
Table of Contents
1 Cover
9 Introduction THE DATA SCIENCE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX WHY WE CARE DATA IN THE WORKPLACE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE WHO THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN FOR WHY WE WROTE THIS BOOK WHAT YOU'LL LEARN HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED ONE LAST THING BEFORE WE BEGIN NOTES
10 PART I: Thinking Like a Data Head CHAPTER 1: What Is the Problem? QUESTIONS A DATA HEAD SHOULD ASK UNDERSTANDING WHY DATA PROJECTS FAIL WORKING ON PROBLEMS THAT MATTER CHAPTER SUMMARY NOTES CHAPTER 2: What Is Data? DATA VS. INFORMATION DATA TYPES HOW DATA IS COLLECTED AND STRUCTURED BASIC SUMMARY STATISTICS CHAPTER SUMMARY NOTES CHAPTER 3: Prepare to Think Statistically ASK QUESTIONS THERE IS VARIATION IN ALL THINGS PROBABILITIES AND STATISTICS CHAPTER SUMMARY NOTES
11 PART II: Speaking Like a Data Head CHAPTER 4: Argue with the Data WHAT WOULD YOU DO? TELL ME THE DATA ORIGIN STORY IS THE DATA REPRESENTATIVE? WHAT DATA AM I NOT SEEING? ARGUE WITH DATA OF ALL SIZES CHAPTER SUMMARY NOTES CHAPTER 5: Explore the Data EXPLORATORY DATA ANALYSIS AND YOU EMBRACING THE EXPLORATORY MINDSET CAN THE DATA ANSWER THE QUESTION? DID YOU DISCOVER ANY RELATIONSHIPS? DID YOU FIND NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DATA? CHAPTER SUMMARY NOTES CHAPTER 6: Examine the Probabilities TAKE A GUESS THE RULES OF THE GAME PROBABILITY THOUGHT EXERCISE BE CAREFUL ASSUMING INDEPENDENCE