Introduction

Data exploration is an integral first step in machine learning, entailing a thorough examination of a dataset to identify its structure and uncover initial patterns and anomalies. This process is critical for setting the stage for any further detailed statistical analysis and the development of machine learning models.

In this chapter, the focus is on delineating the process of data exploration, aiming to solidify the understanding for newcomers to machine learning while providing a refresher for the adept. The chapter will navigate through the techniques to load and inspect a dataset comprised of Amazon book reviews, summarize its characteristics, and probe into its variables.

You will be guided through practical exercises on categorical data evaluation, distribution visualization, and correlation analysis, with the support of Python’s pandas and Matplotlib libraries. The chapter will also detail how to employ ChatGPT effectively for data exploration,...