The 5 Basic Components of Data Analysis

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

In our training classes, we breakdown all data analysis into 5 basic components:

1. Sorting
2. Filtering
3. Aggregating
4. Transforming
5. Visualizing (Describing)

We argue all data analysis is some combination of these components, whether working with 10 rows or 10,000,000 rows. While the tools, techniques, and approaches may vary, the basic tasks do not.

This simple framework is intended to demystify what it means to do analysis. Often the participants in our classes are coming at the material with a good measure of fear, trepidation, or simply confusion about data analysis. They often believe they are going to be asked to do something difficult that’s beyond their comprehension. By revealing all analysis to be a synthesis of a few simple and easily understood components, we hope to break down their fear and open them up to the learning experience.

We acknowledge there may be more than 5 and offer anyone the opportunity to add something meaningful to this list. It’s a starting point we feel has already yielded a greater understanding of what we’re trying to teach.