Google Advanced Data Analytics study materials
Google Advanced Data Analytics study resources

Google Advanced Data Analytics key terms

Google Advanced Data Analytics · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Decision relevance

The relationship between an analysis result and the actual stakeholder choice, including population, outcome, uncertainty, cost and authorized responsibility.

End-to-end baseline

A defined reference measurement for the full relevant task or service, not only one convenient step whose improvement can hide downstream costs.

Join multiplicity

The number of result rows produced by matching relationships between inputs, which can multiply totals when an assumed unique key has duplicates.

Dataframe alignment

The library-defined matching of labels or positions during an operation, whose meaning must be checked rather than inferred from visual row order.

Missing-value treatment

A justified rule for handling absent observations under the actual data and decision context, not an automatic substitution of every missing field with zero.

P-value

A probability of results at least as extreme under a specified null model and its assumptions, not the probability that the null hypothesis is true.

Confidence coverage

The long-run proportion of intervals constructed by a procedure that contain the parameter under its model, distinct from a posterior probability of one fixed parameter.

Regression coefficient

A fitted conditional relationship parameter under the stated model and included variables, which is not automatically the causal effect of an intervention.

Evaluation leakage

Use of information across an intended training/evaluation boundary that can make a reported assessment less independent or more optimistic than claimed.

Relational database

A database that stores data in tables made of rows and columns and uses relationships between tables. It is queried with languages such as SQL and follows the relational model.

Related: SQL, Primary key, Foreign key
Primary key

A column or set of columns whose values uniquely identify each row in a database table. It cannot contain duplicate or null values.

Related: Foreign key, Relational database
Foreign key

A column or set of columns in one table that refers to the primary key of another table. It enforces referential integrity between related records.

Related: Primary key
SQL

Structured Query Language, a standard language for defining, querying, updating, and managing data in relational databases. It includes statements for creating tables and retrieving rows.

Related: Relational database, Normalization
Normalization

The process of organizing relational database tables to reduce duplicated data and avoid update anomalies. It typically involves dividing data into related tables and defining keys.

Related: Primary key, Foreign key, Relational database
Database index

A data structure that speeds up searches on a database table by providing quick lookup paths to rows. It uses extra storage and must be updated when data changes.

Related: Primary key, SQL
Metadata

Data that describes other data, such as a file's author, creation date, format, or size. In databases, it describes table structures, constraints, and other schema information.

Related: Relational database, Database index
Least Privilege

The principle that users and systems should be granted only the minimum access rights necessary to perform their tasks, reducing the potential damage from accidents or malicious activity.

Related: Role-Based Access Control, Separation of Duties
Separation of Duties

A control that divides critical tasks among different individuals so that no single person can complete a sensitive action alone, helping to prevent fraud and errors.

Related: Least Privilege, Role-Based Access Control
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

An access control model where permissions are assigned to roles rather than individual users, and users are assigned to roles based on their job responsibilities.

Related: Least Privilege, Separation of Duties
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

An authentication method that requires two or more independent credentials from different categories (something you know, have, or are) to verify a user's identity.

Related: Authentication, Single Sign-On
Authentication

The process of verifying the identity of a user, device, or system, typically through credentials such as passwords, tokens, or biometrics.

Related: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Authorization
Authorization

The process of determining what actions or resources an authenticated entity is permitted to access, often enforced through access control policies.

Related: Authentication, Least Privilege
Single Sign-On (SSO)

A mechanism that allows a user to log in once and access multiple applications or systems without re-entering credentials, improving usability and centralizing access control.

Related: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Authentication
Encryption

The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext using an algorithm and a key, so that only authorized parties can read the original information.

Related: Symmetric Encryption, Asymmetric Encryption, Hash Function
Symmetric Encryption

An encryption method that uses the same secret key for both encryption and decryption, offering speed but requiring secure key distribution.

Related: Asymmetric Encryption, Encryption
Asymmetric Encryption

Encryption using a suitable public-key scheme and a corresponding private key for decryption. Authenticated key distribution and the specified padding/protocol remain essential; signatures and key agreement are distinct constructions.

Related: Symmetric Encryption, Encryption
Hash Function

A digest construction mapping input to an output under its defined algorithm, with cryptographic versions designed for appropriate resistance properties. Password storage needs a suitable salted password-hashing/KDF scheme rather than a bare fast digest.

Related: Encryption, Digital Signature
Digital Signature

An electronic signature that uses asymmetric cryptography to verify the authenticity and integrity of a message or document.

Related: Hash Function, Asymmetric Encryption
Access control

The policies and mechanisms that determine who can access which systems, data, or facilities and under what conditions.

Related: Authentication, Least privilege, Segregation of duties