In the text analytics industry, Anomaly is a term used to describe a data point that falls outside of the expected range. This could be due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: human error, equipment malfunction, or unexpected environmental conditions. Anomaly detection is the process of identifying these outliers in order to correct them or investigate their cause.
Strategies to Detect Anomaly
There are a few different ways that analysts can go about detecting anomalies. The first is by using traditional statistical methods, such as mean and standard deviation. This approach works well when the data is normally distributed, but can be less effective when the data is skewed.
Another common method is to use machine learning algorithms. These can be more effective at detecting anomalies, but may require more data in order to train the model.
Once an anomaly has been detected, it is important to investigate the cause. This can help to prevent future issues and ensure that the data is accurate.
Anomaly vs. Outliers
Anomaly and Outliers are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings. An outlier is a data point that falls outside of the expected range, but it is not necessarily indicative of a problem. An anomaly, on the other hand, is a data point that falls outside of the expected range and is indicative of a problem.
Best Tool for Avoiding Anomaly
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for avoiding anomalies, but there are a few best practices that can help. First, it is important to have a clear understanding of the data and the expected range. This will make it easier to identify outliers. Second, consider using machine learning algorithms to automatically detect anomalies. And finally, investigate any anomalies that are found in order to prevent future issues.
The best way to avoid having anomalies in your data is to have a robust quality control process. This should include both manual and automated checks for errors. Additionally, it is important to monitor the data for unusual patterns that could indicate an issue.