Which of the following are the four main types of data analytics?

The four main types of data analytics—Descriptive, Diagnostic, Predictive, and Prescriptive—each serve a unique purpose in the data analysis process.

Descriptive analytics focuses on summarizing past data to understand what has happened. It provides insight through historical data analysis, often utilizing metrics and visualizations.

Diagnostic analytics goes a step further by investigating past performance to determine why certain outcomes occurred. This type of analysis helps identify patterns and causes behind the trends observed in the descriptive phase.

Predictive analytics uses statistical models and machine learning techniques to forecast future outcomes based on historical data. It allows organizations to make informed predictions and anticipate potential trends or behaviors.

Prescriptive analytics provides recommendations for actions based on the insights gained from the previous types of analytics. It suggests various courses of action and helps decision-makers understand the potential outcomes of different choices.

This framework of analyzing data enables organizations to have a comprehensive approach—from understanding what has happened to anticipating future trends and making informed decisions.