Search icon CANCEL
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Conferences
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
Principles of Data Science
Principles of Data Science

Principles of Data Science: A beginner's guide to essential math and coding skills for data fluency and machine learning , Third Edition

eBook
$21.99 $31.99
Paperback
$39.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at $19.99p/m

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital eBook copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Product feature icon AI Assistant (beta) to help accelerate your learning
Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Principles of Data Science

Types of Data

For our first step into the world of data science, let’s take a look at the various ways in which data can be formed. In this chapter, we will explore three critical categorizations of data:

  • Structured versus unstructured data
  • Quantitative versus qualitative data
  • The four levels of data

We will dive further into each of these topics by showing examples of how data scientists look at and work with data. This chapter aims to familiarize us with the fundamental types of data so that when we eventually see our first dataset, we will know exactly how to dissect, diagnose, and analyze the contents to maximize our insight value and machine learning performance.

The first thing to note is my use of the word data. In the previous chapter, I defined data as merely a collection of information. This vague definition exists because we may separate data into different categories and need our definition to be loose.

The next thing to remember while...

Structured versus unstructured data

The first question we want to ask ourselves about an entire dataset is whether we are working with structured or unstructured data. The answer to this question can mean the difference between needing three days or three weeks to perform a proper analysis.

The basic breakdown is as follows (this is a rehashed definition of organized and unorganized data from Chapter 1):

  • Structured (that is, organized) data: This is data that can be thought of as observations and characteristics. It is usually organized using a table method (rows and columns) that can be organized in a spreadsheet format or a relational database.
  • Unstructured (that is, unorganized) data: This data exists as a free entity and does not follow any standard organization hierarchy such as images, text, or videos.

Here are a few examples that could help you differentiate between the two:

  • Most data that exists in text form, including server logs and Facebook...

The four levels of data

It is generally understood that a specific characteristic (feature/column) of structured data can be broken down into one of four levels of data. These levels are as follows:

  • The nominal level
  • The ordinal level
  • The interval level
  • The ratio level

As we move down the list, we gain more structure and, therefore, more returns from our analysis. Each level comes with its own accepted practice in measuring the center of the data. We usually think of the mean/average as being an acceptable form of center.

However, this is only true for a specific type of data.

The nominal level

The first level of data, the nominal level, consists of data that is described purely by name or category. Basic examples include gender, nationality, species, or yeast strain in a beer. They are not described by numbers and are therefore qualitative. The following are some examples:

  • A type of animal is on the nominal level of data. We may also say...

Summary

This chapter has provided an overview of the crucial role data types play in data science, emphasizing the importance of understanding the nature of the data before commencing any analysis. We discussed the significance of asking three key questions when encountering a new dataset: whether the data is structured or unstructured, whether each column is quantitative or qualitative, and the level of data within each column (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio).

By completing this chapter, you should be able to identify the types of data they are working with and understand the implications of those data types on their analysis. This knowledge will help you select appropriate graphs, interpret results, and determine the next steps in the analytical process. You should also be familiar with the concept of converting data from one level to another to gain more insights.

With this knowledge, and with the ability to classify data as nominal or ordinal through various examples...

Questions and answers

For the following statements, classify them as ordinal or nominal:

  • The origin of the beans in your cup of coffee: Nominal
  • The place someone receives after completing a foot race: Ordinal
  • The metal used to make the medal that they receive after placing in the race: Nominal
  • The telephone number of a client: Nominal
  • How many cups of coffee you drink in a day: Ordinal
Left arrow icon Right arrow icon
Download code icon Download Code

Key benefits

  • Learn practical data science combined with data theory to gain maximum insights from data
  • Discover methods for deploying actionable machine learning pipelines while mitigating biases in data and models
  • Explore actionable case studies to put your new skills to use immediately
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

Principles of Data Science bridges mathematics, programming, and business analysis, empowering you to confidently pose and address complex data questions and construct effective machine learning pipelines. This book will equip you with the tools to transform abstract concepts and raw statistics into actionable insights. Starting with cleaning and preparation, you’ll explore effective data mining strategies and techniques before moving on to building a holistic picture of how every piece of the data science puzzle fits together. Throughout the book, you’ll discover statistical models with which you can control and navigate even the densest or the sparsest of datasets and learn how to create powerful visualizations that communicate the stories hidden in your data. With a focus on application, this edition covers advanced transfer learning and pre-trained models for NLP and vision tasks. You’ll get to grips with advanced techniques for mitigating algorithmic bias in data as well as models and addressing model and data drift. Finally, you’ll explore medium-level data governance, including data provenance, privacy, and deletion request handling. By the end of this data science book, you'll have learned the fundamentals of computational mathematics and statistics, all while navigating the intricacies of modern ML and large pre-trained models like GPT and BERT.

Who is this book for?

If you are an aspiring novice data scientist eager to expand your knowledge, this book is for you. Whether you have basic math skills and want to apply them in the field of data science, or you excel in programming but lack the necessary mathematical foundations, you’ll find this book useful. Familiarity with Python programming will further enhance your learning experience.

What you will learn

  • Master the fundamentals steps of data science through practical examples
  • Bridge the gap between math and programming using advanced statistics and ML
  • Harness probability, calculus, and models for effective data control
  • Explore transformative modern ML with large language models
  • Evaluate ML success with impactful metrics and MLOps
  • Create compelling visuals that convey actionable insights
  • Quantify and mitigate biases in data and ML models
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to Ukraine

Economy delivery 10 - 13 business days

$6.95

Premium delivery 6 - 9 business days

$21.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Jan 31, 2024
Length: 326 pages
Edition : 3rd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781837636303
Category :
Languages :
Concepts :
Tools :

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital eBook copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Product feature icon AI Assistant (beta) to help accelerate your learning
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to Ukraine

Economy delivery 10 - 13 business days

$6.95

Premium delivery 6 - 9 business days

$21.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Publication date : Jan 31, 2024
Length: 326 pages
Edition : 3rd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781837636303
Category :
Languages :
Concepts :
Tools :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
$19.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
$199.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
$279.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just $5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total $ 142.97
Mastering NLP from Foundations to LLMs
$52.99
Exploratory Data Analysis with Python Cookbook
$49.99
Principles of Data Science
$39.99
Total $ 142.97 Stars icon

Table of Contents

17 Chapters
Chapter 1: Data Science Terminology Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 2: Types of Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 3: The Five Steps of Data Science Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 4: Basic Mathematics Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 5: Impossible or Improbable – A Gentle Introduction to Probability Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 6: Advanced Probability Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 7: What Are the Chances? An Introduction to Statistics Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 8: Advanced Statistics Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 9: Communicating Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 10: How to Tell if Your Toaster is Learning – Machine Learning Essentials Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 11: Predictions Don’t Grow on Trees, or Do They? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 12: Introduction to Transfer Learning and Pre-Trained Models Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 13: Mitigating Algorithmic Bias and Tackling Model and Data Drift Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 14: AI Governance Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 15: Navigating Real-World Data Science Case Studies in Action Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.8
(4 Ratings)
5 star 75%
4 star 25%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
O Feb 24, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Appreciate all the code examples and the up to date GitHub
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Steven Fernandes May 07, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book is a fantastic resource for anyone diving into data science. It effectively bridges the gap between theoretical math and practical programming through engaging examples and clear explanations. The sections on probability, calculus, and machine learning models are particularly enlightening. I especially appreciated the deep dive into modern machine learning techniques, including large language models, and the practical advice on using metrics and MLOps to evaluate ML projects. The guidance on creating visuals and addressing data biases is also invaluable. Highly recommend for those looking to enhance their data science skills!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Om S May 09, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Principles of Data Science is a book that helps you understand data and use it to make decisions. It teaches you how to clean data, find important patterns, and make predictions using machine learning. The book covers basic to advanced topics, including how to handle biases and use big models like GPT and BERT. It's perfect for beginners who know some Python and want to get better at using data in real projects.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
H2N Mar 11, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon 4
This book is for new data scientists. Each chapter is well-structured, offering clear explanations and practical examples. The inclusion of Python code snippets helps the learning experience, making it easier to apply the concepts in real-world scenarios. However, the chapters on advanced statistics and probability may disappoint those expecting more depth, as they assume a level of knowledge common in the data science field. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for aspiring data scientists looking to build a solid foundation in the field.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

What is the delivery time and cost of print book? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela
What is custom duty/charge? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customs duty are charges levied on goods when they cross international borders. It is a tax that is imposed on imported goods. These duties are charged by special authorities and bodies created by local governments and are meant to protect local industries, economies, and businesses.

Do I have to pay customs charges for the print book order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The orders shipped to the countries that are listed under EU27 will not bear custom charges. They are paid by Packt as part of the order.

List of EU27 countries: www.gov.uk/eu-eea:

A custom duty or localized taxes may be applicable on the shipment and would be charged by the recipient country outside of the EU27 which should be paid by the customer and these duties are not included in the shipping charges been charged on the order.

How do I know my custom duty charges? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The amount of duty payable varies greatly depending on the imported goods, the country of origin and several other factors like the total invoice amount or dimensions like weight, and other such criteria applicable in your country.

For example:

  • If you live in Mexico, and the declared value of your ordered items is over $ 50, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 19% which will be $ 9.50 to the courier service.
  • Whereas if you live in Turkey, and the declared value of your ordered items is over € 22, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 18% which will be € 3.96 to the courier service.
How can I cancel my order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Cancellation Policy for Published Printed Books:

You can cancel any order within 1 hour of placing the order. Simply contact customercare@packt.com with your order details or payment transaction id. If your order has already started the shipment process, we will do our best to stop it. However, if it is already on the way to you then when you receive it, you can contact us at customercare@packt.com using the returns and refund process.

Please understand that Packt Publishing cannot provide refunds or cancel any order except for the cases described in our Return Policy (i.e. Packt Publishing agrees to replace your printed book because it arrives damaged or material defect in book), Packt Publishing will not accept returns.

What is your returns and refunds policy? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Return Policy:

We want you to be happy with your purchase from Packtpub.com. We will not hassle you with returning print books to us. If the print book you receive from us is incorrect, damaged, doesn't work or is unacceptably late, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com with the order number and issue details as explained below:

  1. If you ordered (eBook, Video or Print Book) incorrectly or accidentally, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com within one hour of placing the order and we will replace/refund you the item cost.
  2. Sadly, if your eBook or Video file is faulty or a fault occurs during the eBook or Video being made available to you, i.e. during download then you should contact Customer Relations Team within 14 days of purchase on customercare@packt.com who will be able to resolve this issue for you.
  3. You will have a choice of replacement or refund of the problem items.(damaged, defective or incorrect)
  4. Once Customer Care Team confirms that you will be refunded, you should receive the refund within 10 to 12 working days.
  5. If you are only requesting a refund of one book from a multiple order, then we will refund you the appropriate single item.
  6. Where the items were shipped under a free shipping offer, there will be no shipping costs to refund.

On the off chance your printed book arrives damaged, with book material defect, contact our Customer Relation Team on customercare@packt.com within 14 days of receipt of the book with appropriate evidence of damage and we will work with you to secure a replacement copy, if necessary. Please note that each printed book you order from us is individually made by Packt's professional book-printing partner which is on a print-on-demand basis.

What tax is charged? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Currently, no tax is charged on the purchase of any print book (subject to change based on the laws and regulations). A localized VAT fee is charged only to our European and UK customers on eBooks, Video and subscriptions that they buy. GST is charged to Indian customers for eBooks and video purchases.

What payment methods can I use? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

You can pay with the following card types:

  1. Visa Debit
  2. Visa Credit
  3. MasterCard
  4. PayPal
What is the delivery time and cost of print books? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela