Applied Predictive Modeling

Abstract

This is a book on data analysis with a specific focus on the practice of predictive modeling. The term predictive modeling may stir associations such as machine learning, pattern recognition, and data mining. Indeed, these as- sociations are appropriate and the methods implied by these terms are an integral piece of the predictive modeling process. But predictive modeling encompasses much more than the tools and techniques for uncovering pat- terns within data. The practice of predictive modeling defines the process of developing a model in a way that we can understand and quantify the model’s prediction accuracy on future, yet-to-be-seen data. The entire process is the focus of this book.