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Analytics

an-uh-LIT-iks /ˌænəˈlɪtɪks/

nounC1GREGMAT

FormalTechnical

The systematic computational analysis of data or statistics.

While 'analysis' is a process, 'analytics' refers to the science or discipline of using data analysis to discover, interpret, and communicate meaningful patterns in data, often implying a more comprehensive, systematic, and often automated approach.

The story behind the word. The term 'analytics' derives from 'analytic', which comes from the Greek 'analytikos', meaning 'skilled in analysis'. While 'analysis' has been around for centuries, 'analytics' as a distinct field or discipline, especially in the context of data and computation, gained prominence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting a more systematic and often automated approach to data examination.

Word relationships

Data science: A broader interdisciplinary field that includes analytics, but also encompasses data collection, storage, and engineering.
Statistical analysis: A specific type of analysis, often a component of analytics.
Business intelligence: A set of processes and technologies used to analyze business data and present actionable information to help executives, managers, and other corporate end users make informed business decisions.

Intuition: The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning or data.
Guesswork: The process of making a judgment or decision without sufficient information or systematic analysis.

Commonly confused with

Analysis: 'Analysis' is the process of breaking down data. 'Analytics' is the broader field or science of using data analysis to gain insights, often involving computational methods and aiming for actionable results.

Word family

analytic (adjective): relating to or using analysis or logic; using a systematic approach.
analytical (adjective): relating to or using analysis or logic; characterized by analysis.

Collocations

data analytics
business analytics
predictive analytics
web analytics
perform analytics

Example sentences

"Our marketing team uses advanced web analytics to understand user behavior and optimize campaigns." In a business strategy meeting.
"The role requires strong skills in data analytics, including statistical modeling and machine learning." From a job description.
"Sports analytics has revolutionized how teams scout players and develop game strategies." Discussing sports performance.

Memory hook

Think of 'ANALYTICS' as 'ALL the NEW LOGIC' for systematically analyzing data. New Logic for Data

When not to use

Do not use 'analytics' as a singular synonym for 'analysis'. 'Analytics' is typically treated as a plural noun, even when referring to the field (e.g., 'data analytics is a growing field' is common, but 'the analytics show' is more precise).

Fun facts

The rise of 'big data' significantly fueled the growth and importance of 'analytics' as a field.
Predictive analytics, a branch of analytics, uses historical data to forecast future events or behaviors.