Capabilities of Data Mining As a Cognitive Tool: Methodological Aspects

Abstract

Gaining a competitive advantage in many industries is possible only if the available digitized data contains genuine knowledge. In this respect, it is necessary to take a step to preliminary identify their hidden and non-obvious regularities using Data Mining (DM) methods. It is critical to know the capabilities and limits of the use of DM methods as a cognitive tool in order to build the effective strategy for addressing the real-life business problems. The aim of this paper: within the methodology of scientific cognition to specify the capabilities and limits of the applicability of DM methods. This will enhance the efficiency of using these DM methods by experts in this field as well as by a wide range of professionals in other fields who need an analysis of empirical data. The paper specifies and supplements the basic stages of scientific cognition in terms of using DM methods. The issue regarding the contribution of DM methods to the methodology of scientific cognition was raised, and the level of cognitive value of the results of their use was determined. The scheme illustrating the relationship between the methodology of the levels of scientific cognition, which supplements the well-known schemes of their classification and demonstrates the maximum capabilities of DM methods, was developed. In terms of the methodology of scientific cognition, a crucial fact was established - the limit of applicability of any DM method is the lowest, the first level of the methodology of scientific cognition – the level of techniques. The result of the processing in the form of ER can serve as a basis for these techniques.