| Because of the increased need for advanced analytics in business and the progression of the field of business intelligence, specifically the emergence of data science and the role of the data scientist, business leaders are clamoring to find qualified applicants to fill positions requiring deep analytical skill. Given this skill and resource gap, the purpose of this study was to explore the data science skills with which existing business intelligence practitioners self-identify. Specifically, the research question for this study was as follows: With what data science skills and qualifications do business intelligence professionals self-identify? A quantitative methodology with an exploratory research design was used within this study. Business intelligence practitioners were allowed the opportunity to self-identify with the skills and qualifications of the data scientist through the completion of an online survey. The population consisted of self-identified business intelligence practitioners found in the Microsoft Power BI online forum and user group. A river sampling methodology was utilized for data collection. Analysis of the results from the survey focused on how business intelligence practitioners associate with the skills and qualifications of a data scientist. Analysis provided detailed insight as to the respondent's demographics, the ranking of skill groups, and to what extent respondents identified with the four data scientist cluster types. The findings of the study indicate that business intelligence practitioners do identify with many of the skills and qualifications of the data scientist. Specifically, business intelligence practitioners most highly identify with both the machine learning/big data skill grouping and the programming skill grouping as is indicated by mean values of 0.56 and 0.54 respectively versus mean values of 0.45, 0.36, and 0.35 for stats, business, and math/OR. Finally, while business intelligence practitioners identified to some extent with all four data scientist cluster types, the respondents most strongly related to the data creative cluster type indicated by a mean value of 2.53. Future research on a larger target population could provide further insight on the target population. |
