The Defining Differences between Big Data, Data Analytics & Data Science

As you begin to settle back in the 2018-2019 school year, many of you will begin to learn a lot about the different areas within the field of data that you may find interesting. One of those areas will be  the study of numbers.

Once upon a time, when mentioned in conversations or in the classroom, numbers in general were referred to as either Mathematics or Statistics. Now, data can be included to terms used to refer to numbers.  if you do a quick google search for ‘describe data’ you get nearly 5 trillion hits, or more data!

Check out these quick numbers:

1. 2.5 billion gigabytes(GB) of data was generated EVERY day in 2012 (IBM, 2015)
2. By the end of 2020, about 1.7 megabytes of new information will be created EVERY second for every human being on the planet. (Forbes, 2018)

Now that is a lot of data!

One question we hear  a lot from students is, “what is the differences between big data, data analytics and data science?” — Now this is a great question but one that is difficult to answer as the concept of data is continuously changing. Although the definitions of each may be a little different from person to person we can describe each by providing insight into what skills or knowledge is needed for a successful career in each area.

Big Data

Big Data refers to the massive volumes of information that comes in the form of data (text and numbers) that is available to all of us. It used to be that only statisticians and/or mathematicians would have interest in data, but these days most professionals  and/or companies leverage data to make informed decisions, strategic planning, comparisons/analysis, and correlations. Big Data just describes the amount of data that is out there and how quickly it is growing! SAS (2018) defines big data as “a TERM that describes the large volume of data – both structured and unstructured – that inundates a business on a day-to-day basis.”

Here are some of the uses of Big Data:

1. Big data is used by hospitals and medical professionals to improve the quality of patient care. The data allows them to develop care plans across several patient demographics.
2. Big Data is used in the shipping and supply chain industry to determine which products should be moved from one area to another and how traffic and/or weather can impact their costs.
3. Big Data is used in the banking industry for asset management, wealth building, investments, and assessing fraudulent transactions.
4. Big Data is used in Wall Street to determine when to buy and sell stocks after information from consumers is revealed.
5. Big Data is used to determine which ads you and I see on social media platforms like, Facebook, Twitter, Google or any other online channels you use! Ever wonder why you get ads on all of them after you search for something on Amazon? Big Data!

Data Analytics

Data Analytics is “the science of examining raw data with the purpose of drawing conclusions about that information” (Monnappa, 2018). You probably do this a lot already when you balance your bank accounts, or tally a score in a class, or even look at how one set of numbers correlates with an outcome. The analysis of data allows you to determine possible outcomes and make better decisions using numbers.

Many of us do this every day without even knowing it, but for those who have a real passion for understanding problems through the use of data. We get data, we review data, we make correlations (how one impacts the other) about the data, give insights about what we find.

Now Data Analysts use Big Data in their work as they work on solutions for certain problems or achieve specific busness goals. They may be asked to develop a story about why students use Snapchat more than Facebook to share their life photo moments. As a Data Analyst you would use your programming, math, and visualization skills to tell the story of possible reasons why this may be true. Data Analysts look at one (1) problem to determine one (1) or more solutions for that one (1) problem before they move onto their next task.

Data Science

Data Science is “a field that is comprises of everything that is related to data cleansing, preparation, and analysis” (Monnappa, 2018). Data Science is more of the umbrella of all that is data.

Delgado (2018) describes the difference this way, “if Data Science is the house that holds the tools and methods, data analytics is a specific room in that house.”

A Data Scientist looks at one (1) problem and not only determines at least one (1) solution but also how this problem may be related to another issue or other solutions that would have a cause and effect to another decision or strategy that must also be looked into. Again, if you think of Data Science as the whole house you can begin to understand how much bigger the concept and role is.

Education and Skills

Here are some of my favorites and helpful graphic illustrations! There are also a number of classes that are currently taught at Minnesota State Colleges or Universities that can move you forward.

Anoka Technical College – Business Data Analyst Program. In this program you will have an in-depth study of a wide variety of data courses that cover topics such as data mining, data analytics, data patterns, synthesizing data and information delivery and reporting.

Hennepin Technical College – Data Analyst Program is a 60 credit AAS degree program that looks at analytical and statistical skills as well as database management, data warehousing and data manipulation.

Other Colleges throughout Minnesota state also have programs focused on data. Century College –  Applied Big Data Analytics, Metropolitan State University – Grad Level Certification in Business Analytics, Lake Superior College – Business and Technology and so many more!

To find out which programs are available and which fits your passion and needs explore: minnestat.edu and search Programs.

Salary for Each Career

So, what next?

A career in data can be very lucrative. If you are interested in the field of Data you have many options and remember you do NOT have to have a Statistics Degree or be a Mathematician to be successful in data!

Things you need to do:

1. Understand computer programming
2. Have a strong math and statistical mindset
3. Be creative
4. Have a passion for coding
5. Get program certifications in R, Python, Hadoop, SQL, SAS or other data programs
6. Get involved and participate in area data camps, competitions, and learning opportunities!

Minnesota Events — SIGN UP REQUIRED FOR ALL

MinneFAIR: Careers in Data Day, Oct. 12, 2018 in Eden Prairie 

MinneMUDAC 2018: Predicting Voter Turnout Competition, Nov 3, 2018 Student Competition

Data Derby 2019: Minnesota State Student Data Competition, April 13, 2019

Data Bootcamp 2019: Week Long Summer Data Camp for College Students, June 23-28, 2019

Questions?

Contact, Janice Aanenson at Janice.Aanenson@metrostate.edu or call (612) 659-7221.
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Formerly known as Advance IT Minnesota, the MN State – IT Center of Excellence engages employers, educators, technology professionals and learners to develop a more robust IT workforce in Minnesota. A Center of Excellence within the Colleges and Universities of Minnesota State (formerly MnSCU), it is located at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Midway campus. For more information, visit the IT Center of Excellence.