Data Science (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series)

A clear and compact introduction to the rapidly growing field of data science, this book explores its origins, connection to machine learning, real-world applications, infrastructure challenges, and ethical considerations.

At its core, data science aims to enhance decision-making by analyzing data. Today, it plays a crucial role in shaping the digital experiences we encounter every day—from the ads and recommendations we see online, to spam filters in our email, and even the pricing of health insurance. Part of the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series, this volume provides a succinct overview of the field’s development, key concepts, and current applications.

The modern explosion of data—fueled by social media, big data, and advancements in computing power—has made data science more accessible and impactful than ever. Built on principles drawn from statistics, machine learning, and data mining, data science involves extracting valuable and often hidden insights from massive datasets. This book outlines the history of the field, explains essential data concepts, and walks readers through the typical stages of a data science project.

It also delves into data infrastructure, the complexities of integrating multiple data sources, and the foundations of machine learning—highlighting how technical skills can be aligned with real-world challenges. Ethical and legal questions, data privacy concerns, and evolving regulatory landscapes are also addressed. Looking ahead, the book reflects on the future of data science and shares guiding principles for successful data-driven work.