What makes Data Science Different?
Data Science supports and encourages shifting between deductive
(hypothesis-based) and inductive (pattern-based) reasoning. This is
a fundamental change from traditional analytic approaches. Inductive
reasoning and exploratory data analysis provide a means to form or
refine hypotheses and discover new analytic paths. In fact, to do the
discovery of significant insights that are the hallmark of Data Science,
you must have the tradecraft and the interplay between inductive
and deductive reasoning. By actively combining the ability to reason
deductively and inductively, Data Science creates an environment
where models of reality no longer need to be static and empirically
based. Instead, they are constantly tested, updated and improved until
better models are found. These concepts are summarized in the figure,
The Types of Reason and Their Role in Data Science Tradecraft.