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.