Data Mining

Data mining is a frequent practice on the web. This strategy is used in various branches of research including genetics, mathematics and cybernetics. One of it’s most common variations is known as web mining, a technique frequently used in CRM (customer relationship management). CRM uses a special program that feeds from the vast amount of data stored by a website. The data mining application then uses this information to study the behavior of a web surfer. Many web mining programs will collect data without the user’s consent or knowledge - these applications are known as spyware. Common characteristics of data mining Relationship - searching for patterns that connect specific events to each other Sequence - searching for patterns where one event leads directly to another Classification - searching for patterns that are unique Clustering - documenting collections of important details previously unknown Predicting - discovering patterns of data that can be useful in the future