Understand
Exploratory Data Analysis
Looking at data from many angles to find patterns before settling on an explanation.
What is Exploratory Data Analysis?
Looking at data from many angles to find patterns before settling on an explanation.
What you learn
Look at how the data is spread before trusting an average.
When it helps
you have data, and you’re tempted to trust an average or the first explanation.
Use it at work
- Plot the spread of the data (every point if you can), not just the average.
- Split the data by group, time and place.
- Look for clusters, gaps and outliers.
- Write possible explanations, then test them.
Your output
Before you report an average, plot every value. Look for clusters, gaps and outliers.
Watch for
Reporting averages without looking at the spread.
Related practices
Sources
Enable JavaScript to try the interactive activity.