Behind "Big Data" and "AI": Elements of Modern Data Science

Michael Li
8 min readintermediate
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Overview

The article discusses the essential elements of modern data science, particularly in the context of Big Data and AI. It emphasizes the skills required for data scientists at LinkedIn, including data manipulation, experiment design, statistical modeling, and the importance of soft skills.

What You'll Learn

1

How to effectively manipulate and prepare data for analysis

2

Why statistical knowledge is crucial for designing experiments and A/B tests

3

When to apply different machine learning algorithms to business problems

4

How to communicate data insights effectively to influence decision-making

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Basic understanding of statistics and data analysis concepts
  • Familiarity with programming languages such as SQL, R, or Python

Key Questions Answered

What are the core skills required for a data scientist at LinkedIn?
Core skills include data wrangling, experiment design, statistical modeling, and soft skills. Candidates are expected to manipulate data, design A/B tests, apply machine learning algorithms, and communicate findings effectively to drive business decisions.
How does LinkedIn evaluate candidates for data science roles?
Candidates are assessed on their ability to perform data manipulations, design experiments, apply statistical knowledge, and demonstrate soft skills. This includes practical tests and discussions on real-world business scenarios.
Why is data wrangling important in data science?
Data wrangling is crucial because real-world data is often messy and incomplete. A data scientist spends a significant portion of their time cleaning and preparing data to ensure accurate analyses and insights.
What role do soft skills play in data science?
Soft skills are vital for data scientists as they need to communicate findings clearly and influence stakeholders. Effective communication can be the key to driving data-driven decision-making within organizations.

Technologies & Tools

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Database
SQL
Used for data manipulation and analysis tasks.
Programming Language
R
Utilized for statistical analysis and data visualization.
Programming Language
Python
Commonly used for data manipulation, machine learning, and analysis.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Focus on developing strong data wrangling skills to prepare data for analysis effectively.
Data wrangling often consumes over 50% of a data scientist's project time, making it essential to master this skill for successful data analysis.
2
Invest time in understanding statistical concepts to design effective experiments.
Knowledge of statistics is necessary for A/B testing and experiment design, which can significantly impact product development and business outcomes.
3
Cultivate soft skills to enhance your influence within your organization.
The ability to communicate insights and persuade stakeholders is crucial for implementing data-driven decisions that align with business goals.

Common Pitfalls

1
Failing to clean and prepare data properly can lead to inaccurate analyses.
Many data scientists underestimate the time required for data wrangling, which can result in poor data quality and misleading insights.

Related Concepts

Data Science
Machine Learning
A/B Testing
Statistical Modeling