Reasoning with data -- Reasoning from sample to population -- The scientific method : the gold standard for establishing causality -- Linear regression as a fundamental descriptive tool -- Correlation vs. causality in regression analysis -- Basic methods for establishing causal inference -- Advanced methods for establishing causal inference -- Prediction for a dichotomous variable -- Identification and data assessment -- Applications data analysis critiques, write-ups, and projects -- Glossary

Designed for courses that provide a conceptual and broad-based introduction to econometrics and business analytics, Predictive Analytics for Business Strategy, 1st edition provides future managers with a basic understanding of what data can do in forming business strategy without getting into a taxonomy of models and their statistical properties. Through engaging questions, explanations, and applications, students develop a deeper understanding of the fundamental reasoning behind how and why analysis can generate actionable knowledge and learn to think critically about whether a given analysis has merit or not.

Discover the breakthrough tool your company can use to make winning decisions This forward-thinking book addresses the emergence of predictive business analytics, how it can help redefine the way your organization operates, and many of the misconceptions that impede the adoption of this new management capability. Filled with case examples, Predictive Business Analytics defines ways in which specific industries have applied these techniques and tools and how predictive business analytics can complement other financial applications such as budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting. Examines how predictive business analytics can help your organization understand its various drivers of performance, their relationship to future outcomes, and improve managerial decision-making Looks at how to develop new insights and understand business performance based on extensive use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis, and explanatory and predictive modeling Written for senior financial professionals, as well as general and divisional senior management Visionary and effective, Predictive Business Analytics reveals how you can use your business's skills, technologies, tools, and processes for continuous analysis of past business performance to gain forward-looking insight and drive business decisions and actions.

Now fully updated, this uniquely accessible book will help you use predictive analytics to solve real business problems and drive real competitive advantage. If you're new to the discipline, it will give you the strong foundation you need to get accurate, actionable results. If you're already a modeler, programmer, or manager, it will teach you crucial skills you don't yet have. This guide illuminates the discipline through realistic vignettes and intuitive data visualizations-not complex math. Thomas W. Miller, leader of Northwestern University's pioneering program in predictive analytics, guides you through defining problems, identifying data, crafting and optimizing models, writing effective R code, interpreting results, and more. Every chapter focuses on one of today's key applications for predictive analytics, delivering skills and knowledge to put models to work-and maximize their value. Reflecting extensive student and instructor feedback, this edition adds five classroom-tested case studies, updates all code for new versions of R, explains code behavior more clearly and completely, and covers modern data science methods even more effectively.

Predictive analytics has revolutionized marketing practice. It involves using many techniques from data mining, statistics, modelling, machine learning and artificial intelligence, to analyse current data and make predictions about unknown future events. In business terms, this enables companies to forecast consumer behaviour and much more. Predictive Analytics for Marketers will guide marketing professionals on how to apply predictive analytical tools to streamline business practices. Including comprehensive coverage of an array of predictive analytic tools and techniques, this book enables readers to harness patterns from past data, to make accurate and useful predictions that can be converted to business success. Truly global in its approach, the insights these techniques offer can be used to manage resources more effectively across all industries and sectors. Written in clear, non-technical language, Predictive Analytics for Marketers contains case studies from the author's more than 25 years of experience and articles from guest contributors, demonstrating how predictive analytics can be used to successfully achieve a range of business purposes.

This book shows you how to use social media analytics to optimize your business performance. The tools discussed will prepare you to create and implement an effective digital marketing strategy. From understanding the data and its sources to detailed metrics, dashboards, and reports, this book is a robust tool for anyone seeking a tangible return on investment from social media and digital marketing. Social Media Analytics Strategy speaks to marketers who do not have a technical background and creates a bridge into the digital world. Comparable books are either too technical for marketers (aimed at software developers) or too basic and do not take strategy into account. They also lack an overview of the entire process around using analytics within a company project. They don’t go into the everyday details and also don’t touch upon common mistakes made by marketers. This book highlights patterns of common challenges experienced by marketers from entry level to directors and C-level executives. Social media analytics are explored and explained using real-world examples and interviews with experienced professionals and founders of social media analytics companies. What You’ll Learn Get a clear view of the available data for social media marketing and how to access all of it Make use of data and information behind social media networks to your favor Know the details of social media analytics tools and platforms so you can use any tool in the market Apply social media analytics to many different real-world use cases Obtain tips from interviews with professional marketers and founders of social media analytics platforms Understand where social media is heading, and what to expect in the future Who This Book Is For Marketing professionals, social media marketing specialists, analysts up to directors and C-level executives, marketing students, and teachers of social media analytics/social media marketing