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.
