Data Mining

Modern researchers in various fields are confronted by an unprecedented wealth and complexity of data. However, the results available to these researchers through traditional data analysis techniques provide only limited solutions to complex situations. The approach to the huge demand for the analysis and interpretation of these complex data is managed under the name of data mining, or [Page 329]knowledge discovery. Data mining is defined as the process of extracting useful information from large data sets through the use of any relevant data analysis techniques developed to help people make better decisions. These data mining techniques themselves are defined and categorized according to their underlying statistical theories and computing algorithms. This entry discusses these various data mining methods and their applications.