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Data Science

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Chapter Abstract:Data science encompasses a set of principles, problem definitions,

algorithms, and processes for extracting nonobvious and useful patterns from large data
sets. Many of the elements of data science have been developed in related fields such as
machine learning and data mining. In fact, the terms data science, machine learning, and
data mining are often used interchangeably. The commonality across these disciplines is a
focus on improving decision making through the analysis of data. However, although data
science borrows from these other fields, it is broader in scope. Machine learning (ML)
focuses on the design and evaluation of algorithms for extracting patterns from data. Data
mining generally deals with the analysis of structured data and often implies an emphasis
on commercial applications. Data science takes all of these considerations into account but
also takes up other challenges, such as the capturing, cleaning, and transforming of
unstructured social media and web data; the use of big-data technologies to store and
process big, unstructured data sets; and questions related to data ethics and
regulation.View less

Data science has become a fundamental discipline, both in the field of basic research and in the resolution of
applied problems, where statistics and computer science intersect. Thus, from the perspective of the data itself,
machine learning, operation research, methods and algorithms, and data mining techniques are aligned to
address new challenges characterised by the complexity, volume and heterogeneous nature of data.

Introduction to Data Science


Data Science is the study of data. It is about extracting, analyzing, visualizing,
managing and storing data to create insights. These insights help the companies to make
powerful data-driven decisions. Data Science requires the usage of both unstructured
and structured data.

It is a multidisciplinary field that has its roots in statistics, math and computer science.
It is one of the most highly sought after jobs due to the abundance of data science
position and a lucrative pay-scale. So, this was a brief to data science, now let’s explore
the pros and cons of data science.

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Pros and Cons of Data Science
The field of Data Science is massive and has its own fair share of advantages and
limitations. So, here we will measure the pros and cons of Data Science. This article will
help you to assess yourself and take the right course in the field of Data Science.
a. Advantages of Data Science
The various benefits of Data Science are as follows:

1. It’s in Demand
Data Science is greatly in demand. Prospective job seekers have numerous
opportunities. It is the fastest growing job on Linkedin and is predicted to create 11.5
million jobs by 2026. This makes Data Science a highly employable job sector.

2. Abundance of Positions
There are very few people who have the required skill-set to become a complete
Data Scientist. This makes Data Science less saturated as compared with other IT
sectors.

Therefore, Data Science is a vastly abundant field and has a lot of opportunities. The
field of Data Science is high in demand but low in supply of Data Scientists.

3. A Highly Paid Career


Data Science is one of the most highly paid jobs. According to Glassdoor, Data Scientists
make an average of $116,100 per year. This makes Data Science a highly lucrative career
option.

4. Data Science is Versatile


There are numerous applications of Data Science. It is widely used in health-care,
banking, consultancy services, and e-commerce industries. Data Science is a very
versatile field. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to work in various fields.

5. Data Science Makes Data Better


Companies require skilled Data Scientists to process and analyze their data. They not
only analyze the data but also improve its quality. Therefore, Data Science deals with
enriching data and making it better for their company.

Explore the Future of Data Science


6. Data Scientists are Highly Prestigious
Data Scientists allow companies to make smarter business decisions. Companies rely on
Data Scientists and use their expertise to provide better results to their clients. This
gives Data Scientists an important position in the company.

7. No More Boring Tasks


Data Science has helped various industries to automate redundant tasks. Companies are
using historical data to train machines in order to perform repetitive tasks. This has
simplified the arduous jobs undertaken by humans before.

8. Data Science Makes Products Smarter


Data Science involves the usage of Machine Learning which has enabled industries
to create better products tailored specifically for customer experiences.
For example, Recommendation Systems used by e-commerce websites provide
personalized insights to users based on their historical purchases. This has enabled
computers to understand human-behavior and take data-driven decisions.

9. Data Science can Save Lives


Healthcare sector has been greatly improved because of Data Science. With the advent
of machine learning, it has been made easier to detect early-stage tumors. Also, many
other health-care industries are using Data Science to help their clients.

10. Data Science Can Make You A Better Person


Data Science will not only give you a great career but will also help you in personal
growth. You will be able to have a problem-solving attitude. Since many Data Science
roles bridge IT and Management, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds.

b. Disadvantages of Data Science


While Data Science is a very lucrative career option, there are also various disadvantages
to this field. In order to understand the full picture of Data Science, we must also know
the limitations of Data Science. Some of them are as follows:

1. Data Science is Blurry Term


Data Science is a very general term and does not have a definite definition. While it has
become a buzzword, it is very hard to write down the exact meaning of a Data
Scientist. A Data Scientist’s specific role depends on the field that the company is
specializing in.

While some people have described Data Science to be the fourth paradigm of Science,
few critics have called it a mere rebranding of Statistics.

2. Mastering Data Science is near to impossible


Being a mixture of many fields, Data Science stems from Statistics, Computer Science
and Mathematics. It is far from possible to master each field and be equivalently expert
in all of them.

While many online courses have been trying to fill the skill-gap that the data science
industry is facing, it is still not possible to be proficient at it considering the immensity
of the field.

A person with a background in Statistics may not be able to master Computer Science on
short notice in order to become a proficient Data Scientist. Therefore, it is an ever-
changing, dynamic field that requires the person to keep learning the various avenues of
Data Science.

3. Large Amount of Domain Knowledge Required


Another disadvantage of Data Science is its dependency on Domain Knowledge. A
person with a considerable background in Statistics and Computer Science will find it
difficult to solve Data Science problem without its background knowledge.
The same holds true for its vice-versa. For example, A health-care industry working on
an analysis of genomic sequences will require a suitable employee with some knowledge
of genetics and molecular biology.

This allows the Data Scientists to make calculated decisions in order to assist the
company. However, it becomes difficult for a Data Scientist from a different background
to acquire specific domain knowledge. This also makes it difficult to migrate from one
industry to another.

4. Arbitrary Data May Yield Unexpected Results


A Data Scientist analyzes the data and makes careful predictions in order to facilitate the
decision-making process. Many times, the data provided is arbitrary and does not yield
expected results. This can also fail due to weak management and poor utilization of
resources.

You Must Read – Difference Between Data Science and Data


Analytics
5. Problem of Data Privacy
For many industries, data is their fuel. Data Scientists help companies make data-driven
decisions. However, the data utilized in the process may breach the privacy of
customers.

The personal data of clients are visible to the parent company and may at times cause
data leaks due to lapse in security. The ethical issues regarding preservation of data-
privacy and its usage have been a concern for many industries.

Summary
After weighing the pros and cons of Data Science we are able to envision the full picture
of this field. While Data Science is a field with many lucrative advantages, it
also suffers from its disadvantages.

Being a less-saturated, high paying field that has revolutionized several walks of life, it
also has its own backdrops when considering the immensity of the field and its cross-
disciplinary nature.

Data Science is an ever-evolving field that will take years to gain proficiency. In the end,
it is up to you to decide whether the pros of Data Science motivate you to take this up as
your future career or the cons that help you take a careful decision!

Hope you liked our article on the pros and cons of data science. Share your feedback
through comments.

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