Differences between Data Science and Data Analytics

Differentiating between data analytics and data science can be perplexing.

Data science and data analytics are related but distinct fields that deal with
the extraction of insights and knowledge from data. While they share some
overlapping concepts and techniques, they differ in their focus,
methodologies, and the types of problems they aim to solve.
Briefly, data science leverages advanced techniques to predict future
outcomes and drive innovation, while data analytics focuses on understanding
historical data for decision support.

What is Data Science?

Data science is a multifaceted field that incorporates various disciplines to
extract actionable insights from large volumes of raw and structured data.
This field primarily focuses on discovering solutions to problems we aren't
even aware of yet. It involves the use of computer science, predictive
analytics, statistics, and machine learning to sift through massive datasets,
thereby establishing solutions to novel problems.
Data scientists employ several techniques to derive answers, creating new
processes for data modelling, and production using prototypes, algorithms,
predictive models, and custom analyses. The primary goal of data scientists is
to ask questions and explore potential avenues of study, with less emphasis
on specific answers and more focus on finding the right question.

What is Data Analytics

On the other hand, data analytics involves the examination and statistical
analysis of existing datasets. Analysts work on creating methods to capture,
process, and organize data to uncover actionable insights for current issues.
Unlike data science, data analytics is more focused on producing results that
can lead to immediate improvements.
Data analysts utilize data to draw meaningful insights and resolve problems.
They analyze well-defined sets of data using a variety of tools to cater to
tangible business needs. In essence, data analytics is about solving known
problems, based on existing queries.
 Figure 1: Data Science vs Data Analytics

Role and Skills of a Data Scientist

Data scientists play a pivotal role in organizations, owing to their ability to
solve highly complex problems. They help define objectives and interpret
results based on business domain expertise, manage the organization's data
infrastructure, utilize relevant programming languages, statistical techniques,
and software tools, and have the curiosity to explore and spot trends and
patterns in data. They are also effective communicators and collaborators.
Some of the primary responsibilities of a data scientist include designing and
maintaining data systems and databases, using statistical tools to interpret
data sets, preparing reports that effectively communicate trends, patterns, and
predictions based on relevant findings.

Data Science Process

The process of data science involves several stages, starting from goal
definition to model deployment and presentation. The data scientist works
closely with business stakeholders to define goals and objectives for the
analysis.
If you’re considering a career as a data scientist, and are wondering, “What
does a data scientist do?”, here are the six main steps in the data science
process:
1. Goal Definition: The data scientist works with business stakeholders to
define goals and objectives for the analysis. These goals can be defined
specifically, such as optimizing an advertising campaign or broadly, such
as improving overall production efficiency.
2. Data Collection: If systems are not already in place to collect and store
source data, the data scientist establishes a systematic process to do so.
3. Data Integration & Management: The data scientist applies best
practices of data integration to transform raw data into clean information
that’s ready for analysis. The data integration and management process
involves data replication, ingestion and transformation to combine
different types of data into standardized formats which are then stored in
a repository such as a data lake or data warehouse.

Figure 2: Data Integration & Management

4. Data Investigation & Exploration: In this step, the data scientist

performs an initial investigation of the data and exploratory data analysis.
This investigation and exploration is typically performed using a data
analytics platform or business intelligence tool.
5. Model Development: Based on the business objective and the data
eploration, the data scientist chooses one or more potential analytical
models and algorithms and then builds these models using languages
such as SQL, R or Python and applying data science techniques, such
as AutoML, machine learning, statistical modeling, and artificial
intelligence. The models are then “trained” via iterative testing until they
operate as required.
 Figure 3: Model Development

6. Model deployment and presentation: Once the model or models have

been selected and refined, they are run using the available data to
produce insights. These insights are then shared with all stakeholders
using sophisticated data visualization and dashboards. Based on
feedback from stakeholders, the data scientist makes any necessary
adjustments in the model.

Figure 4: Model Deployment and Presentation

Data Scientist Role

Given the pace of change and the volume of data in today’s business world,
data scientists play a critical role in helping an organization achieve its goals.
A modern data scientist is expected to do the following:
 Design and maintain data integration systems and data repositories.
  Work with business stakeholders to develop data governance
policies and to improve data integration and management processes
and systems.
 Fully understand their company or organization and its place in the
market.
 Use BI or data analytics tools to investigate & explore large sets of
structured and unstructured data.
 Build analytical models and algorithms using languages such as SQL,
R or Python and applying data science techniques such as machine
learning, statistical modeling, and artificial intelligence.
 Test, run and refine these models within a prescriptive
analytics or decision support system to produce the desired business
insights.
 Effectively communicate trends, patterns, predictions and insights with
all stakeholders using verbal communication, written reports and data
visualization.

Figure 5: Data Scientist Tools

Data Scientist Skills

The ideal data scientist is able to solve highly complex problems because
they are able to do the following:
 Help define objectives and interpret results based on business domain
expertise
 Manage and optimize the organization’s data infrastructure
 Utilize relevant programming languages, statistical techniques and
software tools
 Have the curiosity to explore and spot trends and patterns in data
 Communicate and collaborate effectively across and organization
The Venn diagram below, adapted from Stephan Kolassa, shows how a data
science consultant (in the heart of the diagram) must combine
communication, statistics, and programming skills with a deep understanding
of the business.
With modern tools, data science is increasingly overlapping with analytics.
Seen as one of the top 10 BI and data trends this year, this will enable citizen
data scientists to do more.

Figure 6: Data Scientist Skills

Data Analytics Process

The process of data analytics involves defining requirements, integrating and
managing the data, analyzing the data, and sharing the insights. Data
analysts prepare, manage, and analyze well-defined datasets to identify
trends and create visual presentations to help organizations make better,
data-driven decisions.
The primary steps in the data analytics process involve defining requirements,
integrating and managing the data, analyzing the data and sharing the
insights.
1. Project Requirements & Data Collection: Determine which question(s)
you seek to answer and ensure that you have collected the source data
you need.
2. Data Integration & Management: Transform raw data into clean,
business ready information. This step includes data replication and
ingestion to combine different types of data into standardized formats
 which are stored in a repository such as a data warehouse or data lake
and governed by a set of specific rules.
3. Data Analysis, Collaboration and Sharing: Explore your data and
collaborate with others to develop insights using data analytics software.
Then share your findings across the organization in the form of compelling
interactive dashboards and reports. Some modern tools offer self-service
analytics, which enables any user to analyze data without writing code
and let you use natural language to explore data. These capabilities
increase data literacy so that more users can work with and get value
from their data.

Data Analyst Role

Today’s data analyst is expected to do the following:
 Design and maintain data integration systems and data repositories.
 Work with the IT team to develop data governance policies and to improve
data integration and management processes and systems.
 Understand their company or organization and its place in context of
external and competitive trends.
 Use a data analytics or BI tool to build apps and perform analyses, create
dashboards and visualizations, and dive deep into the data to find
relationships and insights.
 In the absence of a full-featured analytics or BI platform, use statistical
tools to analyze data sets and find insights.
 Prepare dashboards and KPI reports for stakeholders that use data to
effectively communicate trends, patterns, and predictions.

Data Analyst Skills

In terms of the skills you’ll need, the ideal data analyst is able to effectively
collaborate and communicate with all stakeholders in addition to having the
necessary technical expertise. Business skills include helping define goals
and providing KPI examples. Technical expertise includes skills in data
integration and management, data modeling, R or SAS, SQL programming,
statistical analysis, reporting, and data analysis. These skills typically come
from a background in mathematics and statistics and sometimes includes a
master’s in analytics.

What are the Differences: Data Science vs Data Analytics?

The primary distinction between data science and data analytics lies in their
scope and focus. Data science is an umbrella term encompassing various
fields, including data analytics, used to extract insights from large datasets.
Conversely, data analytics is a more focused version of this, often part of the
larger process.
The objectives of the two fields also differ. Data science aims to predict
potential trends, explore disconnected data sources, and find better ways to
analyze information. Data analytics, on the other hand, is devoted to realizing
actionable insights based on existing queries.

Data Science Data Analytics

Focuses on extracting insights and Focuses on examining and
knowledge from large and complex interpreting data to answer specific
datasets questions
Utilizes advanced statistical Focuses on examining and
modelling, machine learning, and interpreting data to answer specific
predictive analytic techniques questions
Involves developing and Primarily focuses on analyzing data to
implementing algorithms and models provide insights and
to solve complex problems recommendations
Requires strong programming skills, Requires proficiency in data querying,
such as Python or R, to manipulate data cleaning, and data visualization
and analyze data tools
Emphasizes hypothesis testing, Primarily focuses on data cleaning,
experimental design, and advanced data validation, and data quality
data manipulation techniques assurance
Often deals with unstructured and Typically works with structured and
messy data, such as text, images, or well-organized data in relational
sensor data databases
Data Scientists often have a broader Data Analysts primarily focus on
skill set and may work on end-to-end
analyzing existing data to provide
projects, including data collection,
insights and recommendations to
pre-processing, model development,
stakeholders
and deployment
Plays a crucial role in developing Helps businesses understand past
data-driven strategies and making performance and optimize operations
data-informed business decisions based on historical data
References
Monash University. (2024). Data Science vs Data Analytics, What are the
Differences? [online], Available from:
https://www.monash.edu/indonesia/news/the-differences-between-data-
science-and-data-analytics/ [accessed 17 December 2024].
Qlik. (2024). Data Science vs Data Analytics [online]. Available from:
https://www.qlik.com/us/data-analytics/data-science-vs-data-analytics/
[accessed 17 December 2024].