Data Analytics Vs. Data Science, Understanding with Real Life Examples

Introduction

Imagine getting into Data Science and realizing it's not your career match. Or, becoming a Data Analyst and eyeing the package of a Data Scientist. Data Analytics and Data Science are the big talks of 2023. If you're torn between these fields, this article will help you understand the differences and choose the right path for your career.

People often confuse Data Analytics and Data Science as the same thing but they are not.

It's true that both deal with data, but the approach has a hell & heaven difference. However, there is a common ground too, and Data Analytics can be seen a stepping stone to becoming Data Scientist in the longer run.

In this article we will help you understand:

• The differences between Data Analytics vs Data Science in everyday language along with examples
• Career scope in Data Analytics vs Data Science
• Latest upgrades in Data Analytics this year vs Data Science upgrades
• Skills needed to be a Data Analyst or Data Scientist
• Topics that you must learn
• Finally, how to start a career in these fields, or what is the education level required to enter these fields.

Understanding Data Science

What is Data Science?

Data Science is a rapidly growing field that requires advanced technical expertise, including strong programming skills. It uses scientific methods, algorithms, and systems to extract insights and knowledge from structured and unstructured data to solve real-world problems.

Differences Between Data Analytics and Data Science

While both fields deal with data, their approaches and technical requirements differ significantly.

Categories and Real-Life Examples

Categories of Data Analytics

1. Descriptive Analytics:
   • Example: Analyzing sales data to understand past trends using charts and graphs.
2. Predictive Analytics:
   • Example: Predicting customer behavior based on historical data using machine learning algorithms.
3. Prescriptive Analytics:
   • Example: Recommending the best treatment plan for patients based on medical data analysis.

Categories of Data Science

1. Exploration:
   • Example: Discovering hidden patterns in data sets through visualizations.
2. Prediction:
   • Example: Using machine learning models to forecast future trends based on historical data.
3. Optimization:
   • Example: Finding the most efficient solution to a problem using algorithms and data analysis.

Skills Needed to Succeed

Skills for Data Analytics

• Knowledge of data analysis tools (Excel, SQL)
• Statistical methods and techniques
• Data visualization and reporting
• Attention to detail and ability to work with large datasets

Skills for Data Science

• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, R, SQL)
• Data manipulation and cleaning (Pandas, NumPy)
• Machine learning algorithms and techniques
• Data visualization tools (Matplotlib, Seaborn)

Soft Skills

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Curiosity

Topics to Learn

Data Analytics

• Data analysis tools and techniques
• Statistics and probability
• Data visualization
• Database management

Data Science

• Machine Learning & AI
• Programming
• Statistics
• Visualization
• Big Data
• Data Wrangling & Mining

Career scope in Data Analytics

Data analytics is a growing field, with job opportunities in industries such as finance, healthcare, marketing, and e-commerce. Some common job titles in this field include data analyst, business analyst, financial analyst, and marketing analyst. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a data analyst in the United States is $62,000 to $92,000 per year.

Career Scope in Data Science

A LinkedIn report says that data science is the second most promising career of 2021, with a 26% year-over-year growth rate in job openings. 

The demand for data scientists is increasing rapidly, as more and more companies recognize the value of data-driven decision making. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information research scientists, which includes data scientists, is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

On an average a Data Scientist can expect to earn around $120,000 per year, in the United States, according to Glassdoor.

Data scientists can work in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, e-commerce, government, and more. Some common job titles include:

1. Data Scientist

2. Machine Learning Engineer

3. Business Intelligence Analyst

4. Data Analyst

5. Statistician

6. Data Engineer

Latest upgrades in Data Analytics 2023

The field of data analytics is constantly evolving, with new tools and techniques being developed all the time. Some of the latest upgrades in the field include:

1. Advanced machine learning algorithms that can handle unstructured data

2. Cloud-based data analytics platforms that can handle large amounts of data

3. Natural language processing tools that can analyze unstructured text data

4. Integration with data visualization tools to create more interactive dashboards and reports

Latest Upgrades in Data Science 2023

Data science is a rapidly evolving field, and new technologies and techniques are constantly emerging. Some of the latest upgrades in data science include:

1. AI is here to help! It helps Data Scientists to automate tasks and analyze large datasets more quickly and accurately.

2. Deep learning, a subset of machine learning, involves training neural networks to recognize patterns and make predictions based on large datasets.

3. NLP, or Natural Language Processing, is a branch of AI that focuses on enabling computers to understand and interpret human language.

Parting words

If you begin your career in Data Analytics, it is possible for you to advance to Data Science with more learning and experience. Based on all the information provided in this post: Data Analytics vs Data Science, it must be clear that for proficient coders Data science will be easy to pick. But for a fresher in coding or coding-averse person, Data analytics will be more suitable career option.