Data Analysis 101: Mastering the Art of Data Collection in the Wild

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 Here's Your Guide to Successful Data Collection

Tom is going duck hunting


Congratulations on embarking on the exciting journey of becoming a Data Analyst! 

You’ve got the degree, you’ve got the skills, and now it’s time to enter the wild world of data.

But, wait! 

Before you head out with your data traps and bait, there are a few things you need to know. 

Unlike the nice and tidy datasets you worked with in school from Kaggle, data in the real world is a wild beast. 

It’s unpredictable, unruly, and sometimes downright dangerous.

Think of yourself as a hunter. 

You need to know exactly what you’re looking for, where to find it, and how to capture it. 

And, just like hunting, the data collection process requires patience, strategy, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes.

So, here are five steps to help you capture the right data:


Step 1: Define the Problem

Just like a hunter needs to know which animal to hunt, you need to define your problem before you start collecting data. This will help you stay focused and ensure that you’re collecting only what you need.

Step 2: Choose Your Collection Method

Once you know what you’re looking for, you need to choose the best way to capture it. You could use a survey, web-scraping, or even an IoT device. Just make sure you’re using a method that’s appropriate for your problem.

Step 3:  Check Data Quality

Before you start analyzing your data, make sure it’s accurate, complete, and relevant. This will help you avoid errors and misleading insights. It’s called Data Profiling, and it’s your best friend in the wild world of data.

Step 4: Store the Data

Now that you’ve captured your data, you need to store it in a way that makes it easy to access and analyze. This could include using a Relational Database or Cloud storage solutions such as Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Storage.

Step 5: Review and Refine 

Data collection is an ongoing process, so you need to review and refine your methods to ensure that they remain effective over time. Think of it like a hunter constantly honing his skills to become a better and more efficient at what he does.

As you venture out into the world of data collection, remember that you are now a hunter of the wildest and most elusive data out there. 

But fear not, armed with these five steps, you have the tools to capture even the most untamed data. So go forth and conquer, my fellow data hunter.


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