Applying Predictive Analytics: Finding Value in Data [Paperback]

The new edition of this textbook presents a practical, updated approach to predictive analytics for classroom learning. The authors focus on using analytics to solve business problems and compares several different modeling techniques, all explained from examples using the SAS Enterprise Miner software. The authors demystify complex algorithms to show how they can be utilized and explained within the context of enhancing business opportunities. Each chapter includes an opening vignette that provides real-life examples of how business analytics have been used in various aspects of organizations to solve issues or improve their results. A running case provides an example of a how to build and analyze a complex analytics model and utilize it to predict future outcomes. The new edition includes chapters on clusters and associations and text mining to support predictive models. An additional case is also included that can be used with each chapter or as a semester project.

Chapter 1.- Introduction to Predictive Analytics.- 1.1 Predictive Analytics in Action.- 1.2 Analytics Landscape.- 1.3 Analytics.- 1.3.2 Predictive Analytics.- 1.4 Regression Analysis.- 1.5 Machine Learning Techniques.- 1.6 Predictive Analytics Model.- 1.7 Opportunities in Analytics.- 1.8 Introduction to the Automobile Insurance Claim Fraud Example.- 1.9 Chapter Summary.- References.- Chapter 2.- Know Your Data  Data Preparation.- 2.1 Classification of Data.- 2.1.1 Qualitative versus Quantitative.- 2.1.2 Scales of Measurement.- 2.2. Data Preparation Methods..- 2.2.1 Inconsistent Formats.- 2.2.2 Missing Data.- 2.2.3 Outliers.- 2.2.4 Other Data Cleansing Considerations.- 2.3 Data Sets and Data Partitioning.- 2.4 SAS Enterprise Miner Model Components.- 2.4.1 Step 1. Create Three of the Model Components.- 2.4.2 Step 2. Import an Excel File and Save as a SAS File.- 2.4.3 Step 3.  Create the Data Source.- 2.4.4 Step 4. Partition the DlC+