What’s the Difference between Data Analytics and Informatics?

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Data analytics is: The analysis of data using quantitative and qualitative techniques to look for trends and patterns in the data.

Informatics is: A collaborative activity that involves people, processes, and technologies to apply trusted data in a useful and understandable way.

Data analytics specialists must understand:

  • Statistics
  • Database management
  • Database query languages
  • Computer programming

Informatics specialists must:

  • Meet the needs of those using systems
  • Know informatics standards
  • Be able to manage information technology projects and programs
  • Have strong communication skills
  • Be able to develop systems that work together
  • Know how to protect information

Informatics specialists focus on:

  • Designing and developing secure user-centered knowledge structures for the Web environment using design thinking, prototyping, and human computer interaction tools.
  • Setting up secure digital assets management systems (DAM) working with metadata, workflow, taxonomy, data security, governance, and preservation of digital assets
  • Defining identifying, controlling, managing, securing, and preserving electronic records and information
  • Managing projects: people, timelines, resources, goals and outcomes

Informatics is:

  • Less technical and less theoretical than data analytics
  • Much less math based
  • More focused on end users and tailoring systems to satisfy the needs of end users within a specific discipline, such as health
  • Focused on design thinking skills that encourage a bias toward action and the notion that it is acceptable to make changes or corrections as new ideas and approaches come to fruition
  • A collaborative field where informatics specialists work with peers to identify, frame and solve human computer interaction issues within the framework of a content discipline, such as health