a post for students in database course Ever heard the saying, “Garbage in, garbage out”? It’s a fundamental truth in the world of data analytics. Imagine you’re trying to bake a perfect cake, but half your ingredients are spoiled, or you’ve accidentally doubled the sugar in one bowl and forgotten it entirely in another. Your Read More
Category: Data Analytics
ETL and ELT
a post for students in my database course Queries are fundamental to data analytics, enabling the extraction and manipulation of information from databases and other sources. When working with data, particularly in building data pipelines, two primary methodologies for moving and preparing data are Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) and Extract, Load, Transform (ELT). While both Read More
Queries
a post for students in my database course In the fast-paced world of data, insights are currency, and queries are the keys to unlocking them. For anyone stepping into database design and management, understanding queries isn’t just a technical skill; it’s a fundamental capability that underpins almost every task, from collecting raw information to generating Read More
Foundations of SQL
a post for students in my database course Have you ever wondered how companies like Netflix recommend your next binge-watch, or how your favorite online store knows exactly what you might want to buy? It all comes down to data! In our increasingly digital world, data is everywhere, and the ability to understand, manage, and Read More
Database Schema
A post for students in my database design and management course In the journey from raw data to actionable insights, a critical, often unseen, foundation is the database schema. Think of it as the architectural blueprint that defines how data is organized, stored, and related within a database. Without a well-designed schema, even the richest Read More
Metadata
Metadata, often dubbed “data about data,” is a concept frequently encountered but sometimes underappreciated in the world of information management. For those of you delving into introductory database design and management, understanding metadata isn’t just a bonus – it’s fundamental to building robust, usable, and future-proof databases. Let’s unpack why this seemingly abstract concept is Read More
Data, Information, and Databases
In our increasingly digital world, terms like “data,” “information,” and “database” are thrown around with such frequency that they often become interchangeable. However, for anyone working with or seeking to understand the foundational elements of modern technology, differentiating these concepts is not just an academic exercise – it’s crucial for effective communication, sound decision-making, and Read More
On Data Quality
Education demands data. This isn’t just about lively debate; it requires educators to act as educational researchers, asking clear questions, designing robust data collection methods, and analyzing findings to draw reasonable conclusions. At the heart of this process lies the critical twin pillars of ethical data gathering and rigorous data validation. Only through these can Read More
Introduction to Access Databases
Many of us start organizing information using simple lists in word-processing programs or spreadsheet. This works fine when the amount of data is small, but as these lists grow, managing them becomes challenging. You might start noticing repetitions or inconsistencies in the data, making it hard to understand or find what you need. When these Read More
Data Governance
In today’s world, data is often described as the new oil – a valuable resource capable of driving innovation and fueling business decisions. As a data professional, understanding how to collect, analyze, and report on this data is at the center of your work. However, equally important, and perhaps less discussed, is the critical role Read More