Data Stories: Cloud Computing, Curious Correlations

A collection of interesting facts about cloud computing (and the accuracy of spreadsheets), plus a reminder that correlation does not mean causation.

By James E. Powell
March 8, 2016

Cloud Computing Factoids

This infographic illustrates some curious facts about the Web. Given the popularity of Excel as an analytics tool is Excel, a University of Hawaii study may give you pause about the accuracy of your results.

Some key numbers reported in the infographic from Host Analytics:

88% of spreadsheets have errors
28% of businesses cited security/privacy governance as an issue when considering cloud-based tech
32% expect cloud to have greatest impact in driving business transformation
72% say improved business agility is top driver of cloud adoption

Curious Correlations: Cheese and Bedsheets, Divorce and Margarine

A common statistics mistake is to assume that two trend lines that look the same (that is, are correlated) implies a cause-and-effect at work. As you’ll see from the interesting and amusing correlations from Tyler Vigen’s Spurious Correlations, nothing could be further from the truth. See how total arcade revenue is correlated to the number of computer science doctorates awarded in the U.S. and how drownings after falling out of a fishing boat are correlated to the marriage rate in Kentucky.

About the Author

James E. Powell is the editorial director of TDWI, including research reports, the Business Intelligence Journal, and Upside newsletter. You can contact him via email here.