Data Research and Analytics is the science of researching and analysing raw data with the intention of depicting conclusions about that collected data. Data research and analytics is used in many industries to allow organizations make better business decisions and in the sciences to verify or disprove existing models or theories.

Data analytics is distinguished from data mining by the scope, purpose and focus of the analysis. Data miners sort through huge data sets using sophisticated software to identify undiscovered patterns and establish hidden relationships. Data analytics focuses on inference, the process of deriving a conclusion based solely on what is already known by the researcher.

The research is generally divided into exploratory data analysis (EDA), where new features in the data are discovered, and confirmatory data analysis (CDA), where available hypothesis are proven or disapproved.
Qualitative data analysis (QDA) is used in the social sciences to draw conclusions from non-numerical data like words, photographs or video. In information technology, the term has a special meaning in the context of IT audits, when the controls for an organization’s information systems, operations and processes are examined.

Data analysis is used to determine whether the systems in place effectively protect data, operate efficiently and succeed in accomplishing an organization’s overall goals.

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