Newcomers to quantitative analysis need practical guidance on how to analyze data in the real world yet most introductory books focus on lengthy derivations and justifications instead of practical techniques. Covering the technical and professional skills needed by analysts in the academic, private, and public sectors, Applying Analytics: A Practical Introduction systematically teaches novices how to apply algorithms to real data and how to recognize potential pitfalls. It offers one of the first textbooks for the emerging first course in analytics. The text concentrates on the interpretation, strengths, and weaknesses of analytical techniques, along with challenges encountered by analysts in their daily work. The author shares various lessons learned from applying analytics in the real world. He supplements the technical material with coverage of professional skills traditionally learned through experience, such as project management, analytic communication, and using analysis to inform decisions. Example data sets used in the text are available for download online so that readers can test their own analytic routines. Suitable for beginning analysts in the sciences, business, engineering, and government, this book provides an accessible, example-driven introduction to the emerging field of analytics. It shows how to interpret data and identify trends across a range of fields.

This textbook presents a practical approach to predictive analytics for classroom learning. It focuses on using analytics to solve business problems and compares several different modeling techniques, all explained from examples using the SAS Enterprise Miner software. The authors demystify complex algorithms to show how they can be utilized and explained within the context of enhancing business opportunities. Each chapter includes an opening vignette that provides real-life example of how business analytics have been used in various aspects of organizations to solve issue or improve their results. A running case provides an example of a how to build and analyze a complex analytics model and utilize it to predict future outcomes.

In A Framework for Applying Analytics in Healthcare, Dwight McNeill shows healthcare analysts and decision-makers exactly how to adapt and apply the best analytics techniques from retail, finance, politics, and sports. McNeill describes each method in depth, presenting numerous case studies that show how these approaches have been deployed and the results that have been achieved. Most important, he explains how these methods can be successfully adapted to the most critical challenges you now face in your healthcare organization. From predictive modeling to social media, this book focuses on innovative techniques with demonstrated effectiveness and direct relevance to healthcare. You'll discover powerful new ways to manage population health; improve patient activation, support, and experience of care; focus on health outcomes; measure what matters for team performance; make information more actionable; and build more customer-centric organizations.

Agribusiness has a major role to play in the transformation of the agricultural sector in Africa. With the demand for high-value food products increasing around the world, the production and export of these goods represents an opportunity to achieve increases in income and employment. To capture the benefits of this trend and capitalize on this opportunity for long-term agricultural growth, agribusiness in Africa must become more competitive. In addition to improving competitiveness, increasing agricultural productivity and food security are also major challenges in African agricultural development. In this paper, we compare the agribusiness competitiveness of African countries and develop typologies connected with their food security and agricultural productivity status. The typologies reveal various stylized facts on the competitiveness of agribusiness to help nations prioritize issues for agricultural development and growth. We develop the measures of agribusiness competitiveness and apply them to African countries. Additionally, we present policy implications and lessons for increasing the competitiveness of agribusiness in African countries.

With exponentially increasing amounts of data accumulating in real-time, there is no reason why one should not turn data into a competitive advantage. While machine learning, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, has made great strides, it has not been able to surpass a number of challenges that still prevail in the way of better success. Such limitations as the lack of better methods, deeper understanding of problems, and advanced tools are hindering progress. Challenges and Applications of Data Analytics in Social Perspectives provides innovative insights into the prevailing challenges in data analytics and its application on social media and focuses on various machine learning and deep learning techniques in improving practice and research. The content within this publication examines topics that include collaborative filtering, data visualization, and edge computing. It provides research ideal for data scientists, data analysts, IT specialists, website designers, e-commerce professionals, government officials, software engineers, social media analysts, industry professionals, academicians, researchers, and students.

Learn the art and science of predictive analytics — techniques that get results Predictive analytics is what translates big data into meaningful, usable business information. Written by a leading expert in the field, this guide examines the science of the underlying algorithms as well as the principles and best practices that govern the art of predictive analytics. It clearly explains the theory behind predictive analytics, teaches the methods, principles, and techniques for conducting predictive analytics projects, and offers tips and tricks that are essential for successful predictive modeling. Hands-on examples and case studies are included. The ability to successfully apply predictive analytics enables businesses to effectively interpret big data; essential for competition today This guide teaches not only the principles of predictive analytics, but also how to apply them to achieve real, pragmatic solutions Explains methods, principles, and techniques for conducting predictive analytics projects from start to finish Illustrates each technique with hands-on examples and includes as series of in-depth case studies that apply predictive analytics to common business scenarios A companion website provides all the data sets used to generate the examples as well as a free trial version of software Applied Predictive Analytics arms data and business analysts and business managers with the tools they need to interpret and capitalize on big data.

Now that you've collected the data and crunched the numbers, what do you do with all this information? How do you take the fruit of your analytics labor and apply it to business decision making? How do you actually apply the information gleaned from quants and tech teams? Applied Business Analytics will help you find optimal answers to these questions, and bridge the gap between analytics and execution in your organization. Nathaniel Lin explains why "analytics value chains" often break due to organizational and cultural issues, and offers "in the trenches" guidance for overcoming these obstacles. You'll learn why a special breed of "analytics deciders" is indispensable for any organization that seeks to compete on analytics; how to become one of those deciders; and how to identify, foster, support, empower, and reward others who join you. Lin draws on actual cases and examples from his own experience, augmenting them with hands-on examples and exercises to integrate analytics at every level: from top-level business questions to low-level technical details. Along the way, you'll learn how to bring together analytics team members with widely diverse goals, knowledge, and backgrounds. Coverage includes: How analytical and conventional decision making differ -- and the challenging implications How to determine who your analytics deciders are, and ought to be Proven best practices for actually applying analytics to decision-making How to optimize your use of analytics as an analyst, manager, executive, or C-level officer