Using data analysis and Information visualization techniques to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets
- Authors: Nyumbeka, Dumisani Joshua
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information visualization Finance -- Mathematical models , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12983 , vital:27141
- Description: There have been a number of technological advances in the last ten years, which has resulted in the amount of data generated in organisations increasing by more than 200% during this period. This rapid increase in data means that if financial institutions are to derive significant value from this data, they need to identify new ways to analyse this data effectively. Due to the considerable size of the data, financial institutions also need to consider how to effectively visualise the data. Traditional tools such as relational database management systems have problems processing large amounts of data due to memory constraints, latency issues and the presence of both structured and unstructured data The aim of this research was to use data analysis and information visualisation techniques (IV) to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. In order to visually analyse the data effectively, the underlying data model must produce results that are reliable. A large financial data set was identified, and used to demonstrate that IV techniques can be used to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. A review of the literature on large financial data sets, visual analytics, existing data management and data visualisation tools identified the shortcomings of existing tools. This resulted in the determination of the requirements for the data management tool, and the IV tool. The data management tool identified was a data warehouse and the IV toolkit identified was Tableau. The IV techniques identified included the Overview, Dashboards and Colour Blending. The IV tool was implemented and published online and can be accessed through a web browser interface. The data warehouse and the IV tool were evaluated to determine their accuracy and effectiveness in supporting the effective analysis of the large financial data set. The experiment used to evaluate the data warehouse yielded positive results, showing that only about 4% of the records had incorrect data. The results of the user study were positive and no major usability issues were identified. The participants found the IV techniques effective for analysing the large financial data set.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Nyumbeka, Dumisani Joshua
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information visualization Finance -- Mathematical models , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12983 , vital:27141
- Description: There have been a number of technological advances in the last ten years, which has resulted in the amount of data generated in organisations increasing by more than 200% during this period. This rapid increase in data means that if financial institutions are to derive significant value from this data, they need to identify new ways to analyse this data effectively. Due to the considerable size of the data, financial institutions also need to consider how to effectively visualise the data. Traditional tools such as relational database management systems have problems processing large amounts of data due to memory constraints, latency issues and the presence of both structured and unstructured data The aim of this research was to use data analysis and information visualisation techniques (IV) to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. In order to visually analyse the data effectively, the underlying data model must produce results that are reliable. A large financial data set was identified, and used to demonstrate that IV techniques can be used to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. A review of the literature on large financial data sets, visual analytics, existing data management and data visualisation tools identified the shortcomings of existing tools. This resulted in the determination of the requirements for the data management tool, and the IV tool. The data management tool identified was a data warehouse and the IV toolkit identified was Tableau. The IV techniques identified included the Overview, Dashboards and Colour Blending. The IV tool was implemented and published online and can be accessed through a web browser interface. The data warehouse and the IV tool were evaluated to determine their accuracy and effectiveness in supporting the effective analysis of the large financial data set. The experiment used to evaluate the data warehouse yielded positive results, showing that only about 4% of the records had incorrect data. The results of the user study were positive and no major usability issues were identified. The participants found the IV techniques effective for analysing the large financial data set.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The economic contribution of trout fly-fishing to the economy of the rhodes region
- Authors: Gatogang, Ballbo Patric
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/919 , Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Description: Approximately 24 alien fish species, equivalent to 9 percent of all South African freshwater fish species, were introduced and established into South African waters during the 19th and 20th Centuries (Skelton, 2001). Of the 24 species introduced, the Rainbow trout and the Brown trout have over time become South Africa's most widely spread and used freshwater fish species (Bainbridge, Alletson, Davies, Lax and Mills, 2005). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, no.10 of 2004 has, however, cast considerable doubt on the future of trout as a food source and a recreational fishing resource in South Africa. More specifically, Section 64 of the Act has the following aims: “(a) to prevent the unauthorized introduction and spread of alien species and invasive species to ecosystems and habitats where they do not naturally occur; (b) to manage and control alien species and invasive species to prevent or minimize harm to the environment and to biodiversity in particular; and (c) to eradicate alien species and invasive species from ecosystems and habitats where they may harm such ecosystems or habitats.” The uncertainty surrounding the future of trout in South Africa is mainly underpinned by aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act. Regarding the eradication of trout and in keeping with aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act, three remarks can be made. First, there exists a paucity of published studies which offer validated proof of the impacts which may be ascribed entirely to the introduction of alien trout in South Africa, since no pre-stocking assessments were conducted (Bainbridge et al., 2005). Second, the elimination of trout is feasible in a few limited closed ecosystems, such as small dams, but is highly impractical and untenable from an environmental and cost perspective where open and established river systems are concerned (Bainbridge et al., x 2005). More specifically, there are no efficient or adequate eradication measures which may be used in wide-ranging open ecosystems, which selectively target alien fish species. Moreover, most, if not all, measures have the potential to cause considerable adverse impacts on indigenous aquafaunal species. Finally, the elimination of trout could undermine the tourism appeal of many upper catchment areas in South Africa. The trout fishing industry is well established and is a source of local and foreign income, as well as a job creator in the South African economy (Bainbridge et al., 2005; Hlatswako, 2000; Rogerson, 2002). In particular, the industry provides a two-tier service: first, in food production at the subsistence as well as commercial levels, and second, as an angling resource. Recreational angling, including fly-fishing for trout, is one of the fastest growing tourism attractions in South Africa. Furthermore, the trout fishing industry is sustained and underpinned by a considerable infrastructure consisting of tackle manufacturers and retailers, tourist operators, professional guides, hotels, lodges and B&Bs. The economic case for the trout fishing industry in South Africa has, however, not been convincingly made. The economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing is priced directly in the market place by expenditures made by fly-fishers, and indirectly in property values, which provide access to fly-fishing opportunities. The benefit of trout and trout fly-fishing can also be valued through non-market valuation techniques. Non-market valuation is used to calculate values for items that are not traded in markets, such as environmental services. There are several non-market valuation methods available to the researcher, namely those based on revealed preference and those based on stated preference. The former includes the hedonic pricing method and the travel cost method, while the latter includes the contingent valuation method and the choice modelling method. Of the available non-market valuation techniques, the travel cost method is the most suitable method for determining the value of trout and the trout fishing industry because travel cost is often the main expenditure incurred. xi The aim of this study is threefold: first, to value the economic contribution of trout and trout fly-fishing to the Rhodes region, North Eastern Cape; second, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project that entails the rehabilitation and maintenance of trout streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to increase their trout carrying capacity by 10 percent; third, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project aimed at eradicating trout from streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to prevent trout from harming the indigenous yellowfish habitat. The first aim was achieved by applying the travel cost method, whereas the second and third aims were achieved by applying the contingent valuation method. The study aimed to provide policy makers with information regarding the value of trout fishing in the Rhodes region, so as to create an awareness of the economic trade-offs associated with alien fish eradication. Through the application of the travel cost method, the consumer surplus per trout fly-fishermen was estimated to be R19 677.69, while the total consumer surplus was estimated to be R13 774 384.40. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to rehabilitate trout habitat was estimated to be R248.95, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R199 462.20. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to eradicate alien trout from the Rhodes region rivers and streams was estimated to be R41.18, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R28 829.36. This study concludes that trout and trout fly-fishing make a valuable economic contribution to the Rhodes region. The extent of the economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing services in the Rhodes region should be carefully considered in any stream management project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gatogang, Ballbo Patric
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/919 , Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Description: Approximately 24 alien fish species, equivalent to 9 percent of all South African freshwater fish species, were introduced and established into South African waters during the 19th and 20th Centuries (Skelton, 2001). Of the 24 species introduced, the Rainbow trout and the Brown trout have over time become South Africa's most widely spread and used freshwater fish species (Bainbridge, Alletson, Davies, Lax and Mills, 2005). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, no.10 of 2004 has, however, cast considerable doubt on the future of trout as a food source and a recreational fishing resource in South Africa. More specifically, Section 64 of the Act has the following aims: “(a) to prevent the unauthorized introduction and spread of alien species and invasive species to ecosystems and habitats where they do not naturally occur; (b) to manage and control alien species and invasive species to prevent or minimize harm to the environment and to biodiversity in particular; and (c) to eradicate alien species and invasive species from ecosystems and habitats where they may harm such ecosystems or habitats.” The uncertainty surrounding the future of trout in South Africa is mainly underpinned by aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act. Regarding the eradication of trout and in keeping with aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act, three remarks can be made. First, there exists a paucity of published studies which offer validated proof of the impacts which may be ascribed entirely to the introduction of alien trout in South Africa, since no pre-stocking assessments were conducted (Bainbridge et al., 2005). Second, the elimination of trout is feasible in a few limited closed ecosystems, such as small dams, but is highly impractical and untenable from an environmental and cost perspective where open and established river systems are concerned (Bainbridge et al., x 2005). More specifically, there are no efficient or adequate eradication measures which may be used in wide-ranging open ecosystems, which selectively target alien fish species. Moreover, most, if not all, measures have the potential to cause considerable adverse impacts on indigenous aquafaunal species. Finally, the elimination of trout could undermine the tourism appeal of many upper catchment areas in South Africa. The trout fishing industry is well established and is a source of local and foreign income, as well as a job creator in the South African economy (Bainbridge et al., 2005; Hlatswako, 2000; Rogerson, 2002). In particular, the industry provides a two-tier service: first, in food production at the subsistence as well as commercial levels, and second, as an angling resource. Recreational angling, including fly-fishing for trout, is one of the fastest growing tourism attractions in South Africa. Furthermore, the trout fishing industry is sustained and underpinned by a considerable infrastructure consisting of tackle manufacturers and retailers, tourist operators, professional guides, hotels, lodges and B&Bs. The economic case for the trout fishing industry in South Africa has, however, not been convincingly made. The economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing is priced directly in the market place by expenditures made by fly-fishers, and indirectly in property values, which provide access to fly-fishing opportunities. The benefit of trout and trout fly-fishing can also be valued through non-market valuation techniques. Non-market valuation is used to calculate values for items that are not traded in markets, such as environmental services. There are several non-market valuation methods available to the researcher, namely those based on revealed preference and those based on stated preference. The former includes the hedonic pricing method and the travel cost method, while the latter includes the contingent valuation method and the choice modelling method. Of the available non-market valuation techniques, the travel cost method is the most suitable method for determining the value of trout and the trout fishing industry because travel cost is often the main expenditure incurred. xi The aim of this study is threefold: first, to value the economic contribution of trout and trout fly-fishing to the Rhodes region, North Eastern Cape; second, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project that entails the rehabilitation and maintenance of trout streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to increase their trout carrying capacity by 10 percent; third, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project aimed at eradicating trout from streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to prevent trout from harming the indigenous yellowfish habitat. The first aim was achieved by applying the travel cost method, whereas the second and third aims were achieved by applying the contingent valuation method. The study aimed to provide policy makers with information regarding the value of trout fishing in the Rhodes region, so as to create an awareness of the economic trade-offs associated with alien fish eradication. Through the application of the travel cost method, the consumer surplus per trout fly-fishermen was estimated to be R19 677.69, while the total consumer surplus was estimated to be R13 774 384.40. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to rehabilitate trout habitat was estimated to be R248.95, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R199 462.20. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to eradicate alien trout from the Rhodes region rivers and streams was estimated to be R41.18, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R28 829.36. This study concludes that trout and trout fly-fishing make a valuable economic contribution to the Rhodes region. The extent of the economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing services in the Rhodes region should be carefully considered in any stream management project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »