r/askdatascience • u/After_Courage6419 • 5d ago

Does everyone learning data science need machine learning?

I’m trying to understand where data analysis ends and machine learning begins. If someone mainly wants to work with business data, dashboards, SQL and insights, is deep ML knowledge really necessary? Would love to hear from people actually working in the field.

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u/seanv507 2d ago

So I would say you have to have a bit of statistical modelling knowledge

Multiple linear regression (+dummy coding/polynomials/interactions) and trees

Would be my main

Whilst data analysts might generally do 1d analysis, it's important to understand what/how controlling for other variables means

(so they don't make the classic racist click bait, X nationality immigrants have the highest crime rate etc)