I want to call your attention to a headline I saw today:
Research: Big data pays off Summary: Tech Pro Research’s latest survey shows that 82 percent of those who have implemented big data have seen discernible benefits by Teena Hammond.
Some people will read only the summary.
That’s a bad idea, and here’s why:
First, the survey reached only 144 respondents worldwide.
Hmmm, current world population is approximately 7,182,895,100 (it will be higher by the time you check the link).
Not all of them IT people but does 144 sound like a high percentage of IT people to you?
Let’s see (all data from 2010):
Database Administrators: 110,800
IT Managers: 310,000
Programmers: 363,100
Systems Analysts: 544,000
Software Developers: 913,000
That’s what? Almost 2 million IT people just in the United States?
And the survey reached 144 worldwide?
But if you read the pie chart carefully, only 8% of the 144 have implemented Big Data.
I am assuming you have to implement Big Data to claim to see any benefits from Big Data.
Hmmm, 8% of 144 is 11.52 to let’s round that up to 12.
Twelve people reached by the survey have implemented Big Data.
Of those twelve, 82% “report seeing at least some payoff in terms of goals achieved.”
So, 82% of 12 = 9.84 or round to 10.
If the headline had read: Tech Pro Research’s latest survey shows that 10 people world wide, who have implemented big data have seen discernible benefits, would your reaction have been the same?
Yes? No difference? Don’t care?
If you are Tech Pro Research member you can get a free copy of the report that uses ten people to make conclusions about your world.
A Tech Pro Research membership is $299/year.
If you are paying $299/year for ten person survey results, follow my Donations and support this blog.
Suggestions on other posts or reports that need a data skeptical review?