Principles of Data Mining

Abstract

This book is designed to be suitable for an introductory course at either un- dergraduate or masters level. It can be used as a textbook for a taught unit in a degree programme on potentially any of a wide range of subjects including Computer Science, Business Studies, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, Bioin- formatics and Forensic Science. It is also suitable for use as a self-study book for those in technical or management positions who wish to gain an understanding of the subject that goes beyond the superficial. It goes well beyond the gener- alities of many introductory books on Data Mining but — unlike many other books — you will not need a degree and/or considerable fluency in Mathematics to understand it. Mathematics is a language in which it is possible to express very complex and sophisticated ideas. Unfortunately it is a language in which 99% of the hu- man race is not fluent, although many people have some basic knowledge of it from early experiences (not always pleasant ones) at school. The author is a for- mer Mathematician who now prefers to communicate in plain English wherever possible and believes that a good example is worth a hundred mathematical symbols