Western Governors University (WGU) DTAN3100 D491 Introduction to Analytics Practice Exam

In the data preparation phase, understanding the impact of outliers on analysis is crucial. Outliers can skew results, affect statistical measures such as mean and standard deviation, and potentially lead to misleading conclusions if not handled appropriately. An analyst must evaluate how these outliers interact with the data set as a whole; for instance, they may disproportionately influence the outcomes of predictive models or misrepresent trends and patterns within the data.

Considering the impact of outliers allows the analyst to make informed decisions on how to handle them, whether that involves exclusion, further investigation, or employing specialized statistical methods that account for their presence. This consideration directly affects the accuracy and reliability of the analysis and ensures that the final insights drawn from the data are valid and actionable.