What Data Science Is and How It Applies to Each of Us
A few simple questions before we get started: I want to talk about data science—what it is and why we should care even if you want to pretend you have no relationship to spreadsheets or statistical modelling.
Data science, in simple terms, is the art and science of learning from data. It brings together methods in statistics, computer programming, and a range of machine learning tools to turn heaps of data into useful stories and predictions.
Understanding Data Science: The Process in Simple Terms:
Data Collection: The process begins with the collection of data. This could include customer surveys, social media comments, IoT sensor data…etc.
Data Cleaning: Raw data is problematic. You need to clean it. This involves scrubbing, filling in gaps as identified, and properly organizing the data into a usable data set.
Exploratory Data Analysis: You want to know what is happening in the data. You might generate some graphs, or run simple statistics to provide some understanding of what is occurring.
Model Building: This is where prediction happens. This could be any number of models (regression forecasts, recommendation engines, classifications, etc.) are built.
Presentation of Findings: The final stage is presenting what you learned that is easy to understand. This might involve visuals or written reports.
Why Society Benefits from This Stuff
Healthcare becomes more proactive and effective. Doctors can leverage smart algorithms to predict patient health conditions, incite patient care in a structured way, or improve resource planning.
Education becomes more personalized and data-centric. Teachers and administrators are able to identify which child needs extra support and even create individualized pathways of learning.
Climate change becomes more evidence-based. From prediction models for floods and weather patterns, to even models for "smart conservation" or smart harvesting, data analytics and science expands the possibilities for climate-friendly practices.
Cities become more "smart" and advanced in their operations. Toolsets for predicting crime, urban planning, and managing public spaces, allow city governments to respond faster, with more data, about their communities.
Real World Champions in the Field
There are a variety of organizations that are actively engaging with data science and social good. Nonprofits are making the most of smart tools to help individuals find better jobs, reduce benefit fraud, and improve public sector services.
Organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy, technology giants (e.g., Google, Facebook), and research laboratories (e.g., Lawrence Livermore) are harnessing the power of data science and AI to predict everything from natural disasters to public health results.
Even if you’re not even working in analytics, data science is informing your daily life, from recommendations on your streaming services, to intelligent transportation systems, to notifications about emergencies in your local area. Being informed about how data science works can help you comprehend the society in which you are living and exercising your agency.
At the core of data science, it’s about giving clarity to decisions. Data science is a bridge connecting data and outcomes—transforming potential into action—while doing good along the way. Whether it is a community project or a global initiative, data science is changing the way we care, learn, and grow.
Sources:
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/data-science
https://www.institutedata.com/us/blog/how-data-science-helps-society/