Thread by @mentorshipzim

SECOND THREAD: Understanding Data Science.

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We generate tons of data each day. In the last two years alone, 90 % of the world's data has been created. [Source: IORG]. We can learn a lot from this data and use it to come up with data-driven solutions to whatever sector we aim to improve, e.g. business, health, education.

Data Science is this concept that we use to tackle big data. We get to cleanse, prepare and analyze the big data. Data scientist understand data and draw accurate insights and predictions that can be harnessed to make critical business decisions.

Data Scientists apply machine learning(deep learning), predictive analysis or sentiment analysis to get this useful info. All these techniques help Data Scientists forecast the future based on past patterns or similarities.

I often get this question a lot of the difference between Computer Science, Data Science, Math/Statistics. I always find this Venn diagram below as the best way of answering this question.

[Source: DrewConway]

Referring to the Venn Diagram above, Computer Science gives you the fundamental hacking skills needed to do work. Our Zim education is very strong in Math and Statistics(so that part is covered). We then have this substantive expertise, your domain emphasis.

If we inspect the intersection of Math and Substantive Expertise in the above diagram, we get traditional research. I believe a majority of our researchers fall into this category. They are good in both those fields.

If we inspect the intersection of Math and Hacking Skills we get Machine Learning. ML uses a couple of techniques to extract data, learn from it and predict the future for whatever topic is being investigated. I'll expand on this knowledge in the next thread.

Do you have the domain knowledge and the hacking skills but ZERO Math??? Ok, let's pause for a second, take a deep breath and remember that you still care about yourself. That's a danger-zone! In Ndebele, I'll say "akume" lol. Learn Math. I'll share resources in the next thread.

Data Science is what's in the middle. This field is multidisciplinary. It includes software engineering, machine learning, data engineering, data analytics, predictive analytics and many more.
[source: quora]

Data Science brings the structure to big data, helps uncover patterns that can be used to advise decision-makers(politicians, company and org leadership) to bring change that's "good" for the person such as beneficial for their agenda.

For example, social media data is very much linked to our behavioural patterns. Combining Math/Statistics and your computer science skills with your Substantive Expertise in business can help advise a local company when and how to best introduce a new product into the market!!!

I hope this sheds some light on what Data Science is. If you have more questions, feel free to ask me(@erickhumz) for clarifications.

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