Delve into your data for the key to success Data mining is quickly becoming integral to creating value and business momentum. The ability to detect unseen patterns hidden in the numbers exhaustively generated by day-to-day operations allows savvy decision-makers to exploit every tool at their disposal in the pursuit of better business. By creating models and testing whether patterns hold up, it is possible to discover new intelligence that could change your business's entire paradigm for a more successful outcome. Data Mining for Dummies shows you why it doesn't take a data scientist to gain this advantage, and empowers average business people to start shaping a process relevant to their business's needs. In this book, you'll learn the hows and whys of mining to the depths of your data, and how to make the case for heavier investment into data mining capabilities. The book explains the details of the knowledge discovery process including: Model creation, validity testing, and interpretation Effective communication of findings Available tools, both paid and open-source Data selection, transformation, and evaluation Data Mining for Dummies takes you step-by-step through a real-world data-mining project using open-source tools that allow you to get immediate hands-on experience working with large amounts of data. You'll gain the confidence you need to start making data mining practices a routine part of your successful business. If you're serious about doing everything you can to push your company to the top, Data Mining for Dummies is your ticket to effective data mining.

Delve into your data for the key to successData mining is quickly becoming integral to creating value andbusiness momentum. The ability to detect unseen patterns hidden inthe numbers exhaustively generated by day-to-day operations allowssavvy decision-makers to exploit every tool at their disposal inthe pursuit of better business. By creating models and testingwhether patterns hold up, it is possible to discover newintelligence that could change your business's entire paradigm fora more successful outcome.Data Mining for Dummies shows you why it doesn't take adata scientist to gain this advantage, and empowers averagebusiness people to start shaping a process relevant to theirbusiness's needs. In this book, you'll learn the hows and whys ofmining to the depths of your data, and how to make the case forheavier investment into data mining capabilities. The book explainsthe details of the knowledge discovery process including:* Model creation, validity testing, and interpretation* Effective communication of findings* Available tools, both paid and open-source* Data selection, transformation, and evaluationData Mining for Dummies takes you step-by-step through areal-world data-mining project using open-source tools that allowyou to get immediate hands-on experience working with large amountsof data. You'll gain the confidence you need to start making datamining practices a routine part of your successful business. Ifyou're serious about doing everything you can to push your companyto the top, Data Mining for Dummies is your ticket toeffective data mining.

Introduction 1Part I: Getting Started with Data Mining 5Chapter 1: Catching the Data-Mining Train 7Chapter 2: A Day in Your Life as a Data Miner 17Chapter 3: Teaming Up to Reach Your Goals 49Part II: Exploring Data-Mining Mantras and Methods 61Chapter 4: Learning the Laws of Data Mining 63Chapter 5: Embracing the Data-Mining Process 73Chapter 6: Planning for Data-Mining Success 89Chapter 7: Gearing Up with the Right Software 97Part III: Gathering the Raw Materials 109Chapter 8: Digging into Your Data 111Chapter 9: Making New Data 119Chapter 10: Ferreting Out Public Data Sources 141Chapter 11: Buying Data 163Part IV: A Data Miner's Survival Kit 171Chapter 12: Getting Familiar with Your Data 173Chapter 13: Dealing in Graphic Detail 195Chapter 14: Showing Your Data Who's Boss 219Chapter 15: Your Exciting Career in Modeling 245Part V: More Data-Mining Methods 273Chapter 16: Data Mining Using Classic Statistical Methods 275Chapter 17: Mining Data for Clues 295Chapter 18: Expanding Your Horizons 307Part VI: The Part of Tens 319Chapter 19: Ten Great Resources for Data Miners 321Chapter 20: Ten Useful Kinds of Analysis That Complement Data Mining 325Appendix A: Glossary 333Appendix B: Data-Mining Software Sources 339Appendix C: Major Data Vendors 349Appendix D: Sources and Citations 357Index 361