Data Analysis for Business Decisions. A Laboratory Manual

Mercury Learning and Information, Andres Fortino

This manual is for business analysts to enhance their statistical analysis skills, with case studies focusing mainly on Excel. It covers basic descriptive techniques, linear regression, forecasting, t-Test, chi-square, A/B testing, text data analysis, and Big Data management. Companion files include solution spreadsheets, sample files, and data sets.The course starts with data shaping and cleaning, installing the Analysis ToolPak, and descriptive statistics. It progresses through histograms, scatter plots, Pareto analysis, correlation, linear and multivariate regression, and forecasting. Advanced topics include inferential statistics, contingency analysis, and A/B testing. The final chapters cover text analytics, big data sets, and data visualization.These techniques are crucial for informed business decisions. This book guides users from basic to advanced analysis, blending theory with practical skills. Companion files enhance learning, making this manual essential for mastering statistical analysis in business.

Data Visualization for Business Decisions. Transforming Data into Actionable Insights

Mercury Learning and Information, Andres Fortino

This workbook is for business analysts aiming to enhance their skills in creating data visuals, presentations, and report illustrations to support business decisions. It focuses on developing visualization and analytical skills through qualitative labs. Readers will analyze and describe chart improvements instead of directly modifying them. The course covers eighteen elements across six dimensions: Story, Signs, Purpose, Perception, Method, and Charts.The journey starts with labs and a case study, introducing the analysis tool. It then delves into each dimension, guiding readers through exercises to enhance their understanding and skills. A comprehensive RAIKS survey assesses progress before and after using the text. The workbook concludes with a capstone exercise to review and analyze the final results of the two studied charts.These skills are crucial for effective data communication in business. This workbook transitions readers from basic to advanced visualization techniques, blending theoretical insights with practical skills. Companion files with videos, sample files, and slides enhance learning, making this workbook an essential resource for mastering business data visualization.

Text Analytics for Business Decisions. Mastering Techniques for Insightful Data Interpretation through a Case Study Approach

Mercury Learning and Information, Andres Fortino

This book leverages advanced techniques and tools in data science to extend data analysis from numeric and categorical data to textual data. Designed for business analysts, it uses a case study approach to teach skills in extracting insights from text data, supporting business decision-making. Exercises primarily use Excel and R, covering techniques from basic text analytics to sophisticated methods like topic extraction and text similarity scoring.The course begins with framing analytical questions and exploring analytical tool sets. It progresses through preparing data files, performing word frequency and keyword analysis, and conducting sentiment analysis. Advanced topics include visualizing text data, coding, named entity recognition, and topic recognition in documents. The book also covers text similarity scoring and the analysis of large datasets by sampling.Throughout this journey, readers will apply the CRISP-DM data mining standard, using companion files with numerous datasets for practical exercises. By the end, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of text analytics, enabling them to derive meaningful insights from textual data to inform business strategies.