Data Smart: Using Data Science to Transform Information Into Insight - Paperback

by Jordan Goldmeier (Author)

Want to jump into data science but don't know where to start?

Let's be real, data science is presented as something mystical and unattainable without the most powerful software, hardware, and data expertise. Real data science isn't about technology. It's about how you approach the problem.

In this updated edition of Data Smart: Using Data Science to Transform Information into Insight, award-winning data scientist and bestselling author Jordan Goldmeier shows you how to implement data science problems using Excel while exposing how things work behind the scenes.

Data Smart is your field guide to building statistics, machine learning, and powerful artificial intelligence concepts right inside your spreadsheet.

Inside you'll find:

• Four-color data visualizations that highlight and illustrate the concepts discussed in the book
• Tutorials explaining complicated data science using just Microsoft Excel
• How to take what you've learned and apply it to everyday problems at work and life
• Advice for using formulas, Power Query, and some of Excel's latest features to solve tough data problems
• Smart data science solutions for common business challenges
• Explanations of what algorithms do, how they work, and what you can tweak to take your Excel skills to the next level

Data Smart is a must-read for students, analysts, and managers ready to become data science savvy and share their findings with the world.

Back Jacket

Jordan breaks down advanced concepts with an infectious simplicity that has become his signature style.

"Through the data-driven AI hype, Data Smart injects clarity into the discussion with fresh, compelling examples. This is an indispensable guide to becoming truly data smart. The second edition continues the mission of the first--to be a beacon of clarity against the clamor of data science hysteria. Ready to usher in a new generation of analysts, this is your ticket to becoming truly data smart."
--Alex Gutman, PhD, Director of Data Science, Author of Becoming a Data Head

An absolute gem.
"Data Smart solidifies Excel's enduring relevance in the age of AI. Analysts who embrace its full potential will continue to thrive."
--George Mount, Excel MVP, Founder at Stringfest Analytics, Author of Advancing into Analytics

Most people are approaching data all wrong. Here's how to do it right.

In the era of AI, data scientists appear as mystical practitioners of magical arts. But I'm here to tell you: Data science is something you can do. Really. This book shows you the significant data science techniques, how they work, how to use them, and how they benefit your business, large or small. It's about turning raw data into insight you can act upon and doing it as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Roll up your sleeves and let's get going.

Relax -- it's just Excel

In this newly revised edition featuring four-color visualizations, you'll learn about

• Cutting-edge Excel tools Power Query and new functions like XLOOKUP, LET and LAMBDA
• Creating artificial intelligence using linear models, ensemble methods, and naïve Bayes
• Mathematical optimization, including non-linear programming and genetic algorithms
• Prediction with time-series data and forecasting with exponential smoothing
• Clustering with k-means, spherical k-means, and graph modularity
• Quantifying and addressing risk with Monte Carlo simulation
• Detecting outliers in single or multiple dimensions
• Statistical programming with R

Author Biography

JORDAN GOLDMEIER is an award-winning author in analytics, data science, and data visualization, and 11-time Microsoft MVP winner. Jordan has served analytics solutions for global organizations like NATO, The World Bank and Habitat for Humanity, and Fortune 500 companies likes Principal Financial and H&M. He has taught as an instructor for Wake Forest University, and served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician in New York City.