We are surrounded by data, and the amount of new data available is growing every day. so is the demand for trained data professionals. When you’re just taking your first steps toward a career as a data analyst, immersing yourself in the language, ideas, and trends of data is key. books are one way to do it.
We’ve curated a list of beginner-friendly data analytics books on a variety of topics, from overviews to thematic selections on statistical programming languages, big data, and artificial intelligence. add these books to your reading list to help you:
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books on data analysis for beginners
There will be no shortage of excellent data analytics books, but we’ve decided to focus on the ones that are most relevant to beginners. many of these titles offer an introduction or overview of a topic rather than a deep technical dive. Some of the more skills-based books include exercises for you to practice real-world data skills.
1. accessible data analysis by dr. anil maheshwari
summary of the best data analytics
The chapters in this book are organized much like an introductory college course; in fact, many universities have adopted it as their textbook. is a great introduction if you’re just getting started with data analysis or wondering what data analysis is all about. In addition to high-level summaries of key data concepts, the book also includes:
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real examples of data analysis in practice
case study exercises that could lead to possible portfolio pieces
review questions to help you check your understanding
r and python data mining tutorials for complete beginners
While the book was originally published in 2014, it has been updated several times since then (including in 2022) to cover increasingly important topics such as data privacy, big data, artificial intelligence, and professional data science advice.
2. sense! data science for the layman: no math added by annalyn ng and kenneth soo
the best data science overview
Reading this book provides a gentle immersion into the world of data science, perfect for someone who doesn’t have a technical background. the authors guide you through the algorithms using clear language and visual explanations, so you don’t get bogged down in complex math.
While this book is aimed at beginners, it also offers value to practicing data scientists. use it as a refresher on how to communicate what you’re working on to trading partners.
3. python for everyone: data exploration in python 3 by dr. charles russell’s indemnity
best book to learn python
If you’ve never written a line of code before (or if you still consider yourself a beginner), this book will have you writing your first program in minutes. dr Charles Severance of the University of Michigan walks readers through the process of learning to “talk” to a database using Python.
read more: how long does it take to learn python? (+ tips to learn)
is a useful resource on its own and even more valuable when used in conjunction with dr. popular course of separation, python for everyone (available on coursera).
tip: at the time of this writing, you can download a free electronic version of python for everyone at py4e.com.
4. sql quick start guide: the simplified beginner’s guide to managing, analyzing, and manipulating data with sql by walter shields
best introduction to sql
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This is much more than a book. When you buy this Structured Query Language (SQL) book, you get access to a sample database and SQL browser application, so you can put what you’re learning into practice right away. You’ll also get lifetime access to a host of digital tools, including workbooks and reference guides, to supplement your learning.
This book covers topics such as:
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database structures
how to use sql to communicate with relational databases
key sql queries to complete common data analysis tasks
tips on how to present your new sql skills to potential employers
read more: 5 sql certifications for your data career
5. big data: a revolution that will transform the way we live, work and think by kenneth cukier and viktor mayer-schönberger
best big data book
Whether or not you’re involved in the world of data analysis, you’ve probably heard the term “big data” at some point. This book by two experts in the field goes beyond the buzzword to illustrate how big data is already changing our world, for better and sometimes for worse.
This is not a technical text to teach you big data algorithms. it’s more of an introduction to what big data is, what it can do, and how it could impact the future.
read more: what is big data? a guide for laymen
6. data science for business: what you need to know about data mining and data analytics by foster provost and tom fawcett
best business analysis book
This book delves into the importance of data for business decision making. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a business analyst, consider this an introduction to how data science and business work together, and what data-driven decision-making entails.
The authors do a good job of describing business-related data science principles and techniques without getting bogged down in the technical details of algorithms.
honorable mention: too big to ignore: the business case for big data by phil simon
7. artificial intelligence: a guide to human thinking by melanie mitchell
best book on artificial intelligence
By reading this book, you can begin to separate the hype surrounding the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) from the reality. Author Melanie Mitchell, a computer scientist, explores the history of AI and the people behind it to help readers better understand complex concepts like neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision models.
While data analysts don’t necessarily need a deep understanding of AI, it can be helpful to understand these technologies and their impact on the world of data analytics. mitchell addresses these issues in a clear and engaging way.
read more: what is an artificial intelligence engineer? (and how to become one)
8. storytelling with data: a guide to data visualization for business professionals by cole nussbaumer knaflic
best data visualization book
In data analytics, our data is often only as good as the stories we tell about it. This book guides you through the fundamentals of communicating with data through storytelling and visualization. combine theory with real-world examples to help you:
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recognize the context
choosing the right visualization for the right situation
remove clutter and highlight the most important parts of the data
think like a visual designer
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create presentations using multiple visual elements to tell a compelling story
Reading this book won’t teach you how to create masterful visualizations using r or tableau, but its knowledge can equip you to use those tools more effectively when you learn them.
9. the hundred page machine learning book by andriy burkov
best machine learning book
This title delivers on its promise: an overview of machine learning in just over 100 pages (140 to be exact). it is short enough to read in one sitting. Andriy Burkov offers a solid introduction to the field, even if he has no background in statistics or programming.
This compact read covers an immense amount of information. Topics include supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, cluster analysis, and hyperparameter tuning. If you’re not familiar with those terms, don’t worry. you will be after reading this. You can always refer to the companion wiki for recommendations on further reading and resources.
10. lack of business intelligence: insight and innovation beyond analytics and big data by dr. barry devlin
best business intelligence book
This book explores how the trinity of people, process, and information come together to drive business success in the modern world. This is not a book about traditional business intelligence (BI) concepts. instead, it describes ways bi can go wrong and introduces new models and frameworks to improve practice.
If you’re looking for an overview of bisexual people’s past, present, and future, give this book a try. Topics discussed include:
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the birth of the biz-tech ecosystem
practical tips for using big data
data-driven, intuitive, and collaborative decision-making (and why businesses need all three)
11. naked statistics: taking the dread out of data by charles wheelan
best statistics book
If you need a refresher on what you learned in college statistics, pick up this book. If you’re someone who struggles with mathematical concepts presented as a series of numbers and symbols stripped of context, pick up this book.
charles wheelan dives into the key concepts of statistical analysis (correlation, regression, and inference) in an illuminating and entertaining way. Wheelan makes a good (and humorous) case for why statistics should be understood by everyone in our modern world, not just data professionals.
It is possible that you do not leave knowing with mastery of the statistics. but this book can help you understand the underlying concepts and why they are important, making it a great companion for more technical statistical courses.
12. Weapons of Mathematical Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O’Neil
best book on data bias
Big data can be a powerful tool, and this book serves as a warning and a reminder that we must use it responsibly. Data scientist and mathematician Cathy O’Neil explores the consequences of machines making decisions on our lives and how the algorithms that drive those decisions often reinforce discrimination.
Even if you don’t agree with the author on every point, you may walk away with a better understanding of the dark side of the data. These relevant and urgent insights are particularly important for those just starting out in the world of data, those whose responsibility it will be to ensure that the data of the future is used for the benefit of all, not just the privileged.
honorable mention: oppression algorithms: how search engines reinforce racism by safiya umoja noble
get started in data analysis
If you’re interested in data analytics and ready to take the next step toward a career in the field, get started for free with one of the many professional certificates available on Coursera.
Learn what a data analyst does and get an introduction to R programming with Google’s Data Analyst Professional Certificate. Explore various roles in the world of data while learning Python with the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate. Or learn the entire data analyst workflow from start to finish with IBM Data Analyst with Excel and R Certified Professional.
Whatever your skill level, Coursera has something for you.
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