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What is an outlier in statistics and how can you recognize it?

09/27/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

In statistics, the term "outlier" or "outlier" denotes a data point that differs significantly from other data points in a data set. Outliers can occur either due to measurement error or due to an actual extraordinary phenomenon. They can potentially have a significant impact on statistical analysis as they can greatly affect the calculated averages and other metrics.

Detecting outliers is an important step in data analysis. There are several methods to identify outliers. Here are some common approaches:

Visual Methods: Charts such as scatterplots or boxplots can be used to identify potential outliers. Data points that are far from the general distribution of the data can be considered outliers.

Statistical Methods: There are several statistical tests that can identify outliers. A commonly used approach is the z-score method, which measures the distance of a data point from the mean of the data in standard deviations. Data points that have a z-score above a certain threshold can be considered outliers.

Robust Estimators: Robust estimation techniques such as median and interquartile range (IQR) can help identify outliers. Data points falling outside the range of 1.5 times the IQR from the quartiles can be considered outliers.

Machine Learning: Advanced machine learning algorithms can be used to detect outliers by identifying patterns and anomalies in the data. An example of this is the clustering method, in which outliers are regarded as data points that cannot be assigned to a specific group or cluster.

It is important to note that not every outlier is necessarily erroneous or needs to be removed. Sometimes outliers contain important information or can indicate interesting phenomena. The decision on how to deal with outliers depends on the specific analysis and context.

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What tools and resources can be used in PR?

09/26/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

In public relations (PR), there are a variety of tools and resources that can be used in planning, implementing and monitoring PR activities. Here are some examples:

Media directories: Platforms such as Cision, Gorkana and Vocus offer comprehensive databases of journalist, editorial and media contacts. They allow for effective media research and press release distribution.

Press release distribution: there are services such as PR Newswire, Business Wire or PRWeb that allow press releases to be sent to a wide network of journalists, bloggers and news portals.

Social media management: tools such as Hootsuite, Buffer or Sprout Social help plan, manage and analyze social media campaigns. They allow you to publish posts to various platforms, monitor mentions and measure engagement.

Media monitoring: monitoring tools such as Meltwater, Talkwalker or Mention make it possible to track mentions of a brand, company or topic in online media, social networks and forums. They provide real-time notifications and analytics on coverage.

Content creation: Content creation and editing tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud or Piktochart help create visually appealing graphics, infographics and presentations for press releases, social media posts or blog posts.

Email marketing: platforms like Mailchimp, Sendinblue, or Campaign Monitor help create and send email newsletters, announcements, and other email campaigns.

Influencer marketing: tools such as BuzzStream, Upfluence or Traackr help identify relevant influencers and facilitate communication and collaboration with them.

Online surveys and opinion research: platforms such as SurveyMonkey, Typeform, or Google Forms allow you to create and conduct surveys and questionnaires to gather opinions, feedback, and market intelligence.

PR analytics: analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Sprinklr or Brandwatch provide insights into the success of PR campaigns by providing data on visitors, reach, engagement and other metrics.

Industry media and trade publications: Reading trade journals, online publications, and blogs from the relevant industry is an important resource for staying up-to-date on current trends, issues, and developments.

This list is not exhaustive, as there are many more tools and resources that can be used in PR depending on specific needs and objectives. The selection of the appropriate tools depends on the individual requirements and the available budget.

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How can time series analysis be used for predictions?

09/26/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

Time series analysis is a method to analyze past data and make predictions about future values ​​of a time series. Here are some steps to use time series analysis for forecasting:

Data Collection: Collect historical data recorded over a period of time. The data should have been collected at regular intervals, e.g. daily, monthly or yearly.

Data Visualization: Plot the data to identify patterns, trends, or seasonal variations. This can help you develop a basic understanding of the data and generate initial hypotheses.

Data Cleansing: Check data for missing values, outliers, or irregularities. Clean the data appropriately to ensure it is consistent and reliable.

Time Series Modeling: Choose an appropriate time series model that best fits your data. There are different models like ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average), SARIMA (seasonal ARIMA), exponential smoothing and others. Fit the model to your data, taking into account the patterns and trends identified.

Model Validation: Validate your model by applying it to a portion of historical data and comparing predictions to actual values. This will help you assess how well the model is performing and whether it can make accurate predictions.

Make Predictions: Use the validated model to make predictions about future values ​​of the time series. Be sure to include uncertainties and confidence intervals to quantify the accuracy of the predictions.

Model update: Regularly review your predictive models and update them as needed. New data may require the model to be adjusted or extended to ensure accurate predictions.

It is important to note that time series analysis is based on past data and makes assumptions about the underlying patterns and trends. However, it can provide helpful insights into the future development of a time series and serve as a basis for decisions and planning.

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How is a chi-square test used and interpreted?

09/26/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

The chi-square test is a statistical procedure used to test for independence or association between two categorical variables. It compares the observed frequencies in a sample with the expected frequencies that would be obtained if the two variables were independent of each other.

The general procedure of the chi-square test consists of several steps:

Formulation of hypotheses:

Null hypothesis (H0): There is no association between the variables.

Alternative hypothesis (H1): There is an association between the variables.

Collecting data: Collecting data on the two categorical variables.

Constructing a contingency table: creating a table that contains the frequencies of the combinations of the two variables.

Calculating the chi-square value: the chi-square value is calculated by comparing the observed frequencies with the expected frequencies. The expected frequencies are calculated using the assumption of independence.

Determining the degrees of freedom: The degrees of freedom are calculated based on the size of the contingency table. For a 2x2 table, the number of degrees of freedom is (number of rows - 1) * (number of columns - 1).

Determination of Significance: The chi-square value is compared with a chi-square distribution and the degrees of freedom to determine statistical significance. This can be done using a significance threshold (e.g., p < 0.05).

Interpretation of results: If the calculated chi-squared value is statistically significant (i.e., p value below the specified significance threshold), the null hypothesis is rejected. This indicates that there is an association between the variables. If the calculated chi-squared value is not significant, the null hypothesis can be retained, indicating that there is insufficient evidence of an association.

It is important to note that the chi-square test shows association between variables but does not indicate causality. There are also several variations of the chi-square test, such as the goodness-of-fit test or the test for independence, that can be used depending on the question and the nature of the data.

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Relationships in the media world: How to maintain contacts with journalists and editors

09/25/2023 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

In the world of public relations (PR), relationships with journalists and editors are invaluable. A good relationship with the media can have a significant impact on the success of your PR campaigns. But how do you effectively maintain contacts with these key players in the media landscape? In this article, we will share proven strategies and tips for building and maintaining valuable relationships in the media world.

1. Research and goal setting

Before you can make contacts, it is important to research the media landscape thoroughly. Identify journalists and editors who work in your industry and report on relevant topics. Set clear goals to determine what relationships you want to build and what value you can provide.

2. Authenticity and trust

Authenticity is the key to maintaining media contacts. Be honest and transparent in your communication. Build trust by keeping your promises and being reliable. Journalists value contacts they can rely on.

3. Individual approach

Every contact should be individually tailored to the respective person. Avoid mass emails or messages sent to many journalists at the same time. Show interest in their work and their specific interests.

4. Maintaining the relationship over time

Maintaining media relationships is a long-term investment. Maintain regular contact, whether through emails, phone calls or face-to-face meetings. Share relevant information that may be of interest to your contacts and offer your support.

5. Press releases and content

Journalists are constantly looking for interesting stories and information. Make sure you provide high-quality press releases and content that is relevant to their work. Be prepared to respond quickly to requests for interviews or additional information.

6. Networking and events

Networking events, industry conferences and media meetings offer excellent opportunities to build and deepen personal relationships. Use these events to get to know journalists personally and discuss them in more depth.

7. Social media presence

In today's digital world, a strong social media presence is important. Follow journalists on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, comment on their posts and share relevant industry information.

8. Use feedback

Ask journalists for their feedback and preferences. Show that you value their opinions and are willing to evolve to better meet their needs.

Maintaining contacts with journalists and editors requires patience and commitment. By applying these proven strategies, you can build and maintain successful relationships that will help you achieve your PR goals and achieve long-term success in the media world.

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