Big and small data
As a data analyst, you will work with data both big and small. Both kinds of data are valuable, but they play very different roles. Whether you work with big or small data, you can use it to help stakeholders improve business processes, answer questions, create new products, and much more. But there are certain challenges and benefits that come with big data and the following table explores the differences between big and small data. Small data Big data Describes a data set made up of specific metrics over a short, well-defined time period Describes large, less-specific data sets that cover a long time period Usually organized and analyzed in spreadsheets Usually kept in a database and queried Likely to be used by small and midsize businesses Likely to be used by large organizations Simple to collect, store, manage, sort, and visually represent Takes a lot of effort to collect, ...