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Exploratory Data Analysis

Roger D. Peng, PhD, Jeff Leek, PhD, and Brian Caffo, PhD

This course covers the essential exploratory techniques for summarizing data. These techniques are typically applied before formal modeling commences and can help inform the development of more complex statistical models. Exploratory techniques are also important for eliminating or sharpening potential hypotheses about the world that can be addressed by the data. We will cover in detail the plotting systems in R as well as some of the basic principles of constructing data graphics. We will also cover some of the common multivariate statistical techniques used to visualize high-dimensional data.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1

This week covers the basics of analytic graphics and the base plotting system in R. We've also included some background material to help you install R if you haven't done so already.

Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of Exploratory Data Analysis. This week covers some of the more advanced graphing systems available in R: the Lattice system and the ggplot2 system. While the base graphics system provides many important tools for visualizing data, it was part of the original R system and lacks many features that may be desirable in a plotting system, particularly when visualizing high dimensional data. The Lattice and ggplot2 systems also simplify the laying out of plots making it a much less tedious process.

Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of Exploratory Data Analysis. This week covers some of the workhorse statistical methods for exploratory analysis. These methods include clustering and dimension reduction techniques that allow you to make graphical displays of very high dimensional data (many many variables). We also cover novel ways to specify colors in R so that you can use color as an important and useful dimension when making data graphics. All of this material is covered in chapters 9-12 of my book Exploratory Data Analysis with R.

Week 4

This week, we'll look at two case studies in exploratory data analysis. The first involves the use of cluster analysis techniques, and the second is a more involved analysis of some air pollution data. How one goes about doing EDA is often personal, but I'm providing these videos to give you a sense of how you might proceed with a specific type of dataset.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides foundational knowledge of exploratory data analysis techniques

Covers specific multivariate statistical techniques for visualizing high-dimensional data

Instructors are recognized for their expertise in exploratory data analysis

Taught using R, which has strong support for exploratory data analysis

Provides case studies to demonstrate real-world applications of exploratory data analysis

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Reviews summary

Thorough exploratory data analysis basics

According to students, Exploratory Data Analysis covers EDA basics, including an overview of plotting, using the three most common packages in R: base R, lattice, and ggplot2.

Helpful case studies in week 4.

"Week 4 consists of 2 case studies where the professor shows you how to perform an exploratory analysis on a couple different data sets."

Thorough overview of EDA basics.

"This is a good starting point for any data analysis work"

"The course covers the basics, and a bit more, rather well."

"The first two weeks of the course provide a thorough overview of plotting in R"

Abrupt detour into data clustering in week 3.

"Week 3 takes a sudden detour into data clustering"

"The clustering section seems a little out of place"

"What's worse the SVD and PCA sections require a fairly high level of linear algebra knowledge to understand, which are not prerequisites for this course."

Career center

Learners who complete Exploratory Data Analysis will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, processes, and analyzes data to extract meaningful insights. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University can help aspiring Data Analysts develop the skills needed to summarize data, identify patterns, and visualize results. This course covers essential techniques for exploratory data analysis, including plotting, clustering, and dimension reduction, which are crucial for understanding data and making informed decisions.

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Data Visualization Specialist

A Data Visualization Specialist designs and creates visual representations of data to communicate insights and trends. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University provides a strong foundation for aspiring Data Visualization Specialists by covering essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results. This course helps individuals develop the skills needed to create effective and engaging data visualizations that clearly communicate insights and support decision-making.

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Statistician

A Statistician uses mathematical and statistical methods to analyze data, draw conclusions, and make predictions. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University provides a solid foundation for aspiring Statisticians by covering essential exploratory techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results. This course helps build a strong understanding of data analysis principles and prepares individuals for more advanced statistical modeling and inference.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist combines expertise in data analysis, programming, and machine learning to extract insights from data. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University can be beneficial for aspiring Data Scientists as it provides a strong foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for data exploration and analysis.

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Information Architect

An Information Architect designs and organizes information systems to ensure they are easy to find and use. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Information Architects as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding user needs, organizing information effectively, and designing user-friendly information systems.

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Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer designs, develops, and deploys machine learning models to solve real-world problems. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Machine Learning Engineers as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding and manipulating data, which is crucial for building effective machine learning models.

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User Experience Researcher

A User Experience Researcher studies how users interact with products and services to improve their usability and experience. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring User Experience Researchers as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding user behavior, identifying pain points, and making data-driven decisions to improve user experience.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst uses data to identify opportunities and solve problems for businesses. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University can be beneficial for aspiring Business Analysts as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for analyzing business data, identifying trends, and making data-driven recommendations.

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Data Engineer

A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data infrastructure and systems. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Data Engineers as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding and manipulating data, which is crucial for building and maintaining effective data infrastructure.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst ensures that products and services meet quality standards. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Quality Assurance Analysts as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for analyzing data, identifying defects, and ensuring that products and services meet customer requirements.

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Quantitative Analyst

A Quantitative Analyst uses mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Quantitative Analysts as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for analyzing financial data, identifying trends, and making data-driven investment decisions.

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Market Researcher

A Market Researcher gathers and analyzes data to understand consumer behavior and market trends. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University can be beneficial for aspiring Market Researchers as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding and analyzing market data, identifying trends, and making data-driven marketing decisions.

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Actuary

An Actuary uses mathematical and statistical models to assess risk and uncertainty. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Actuaries as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding and analyzing risk data, making data-driven decisions, and developing insurance and financial products.

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Epidemiologist

An Epidemiologist investigates the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Epidemiologists as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding and analyzing health data, identifying trends, and making data-driven public health decisions.

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Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and its components and processes. The Exploratory Data Analysis course from Johns Hopkins University may be helpful for aspiring Environmental Scientists as it provides a foundation in data exploration and visualization. By learning essential techniques for summarizing data, identifying patterns, and visualizing results, individuals can gain valuable skills for understanding and analyzing environmental data, identifying trends, and making data-driven environmental decisions.

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Reading list

We've selected 35 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Exploratory Data Analysis.

Exploratory Data Analysis with R