Who primarily determines how to collect and prepare the data?

The determination of how to collect and prepare data primarily falls under the responsibilities of data scientists. Data scientists possess the expertise in identifying what data is necessary, the best methods for gathering that data, and the processes to clean and prepare it for analysis. They understand the requirements of the analytical models they will employ and the importance of ensuring that the data is accurate, complete, and timely.

Data scientists often collaborate with other stakeholders, such as product owners, management, and database administrators, to ensure that the data meets the needs of the organization. However, it is ultimately the data scientists who apply their knowledge of statistical methods, machine learning techniques, and data processing to oversee and implement the data collection and preparation strategies.

While product owners may identify business needs and requirements for the data, and management may provide strategic direction, it is the technical expertise of the data scientists that drives the practical methodologies for data handling. Database administrators focus more on the technical infrastructure of data storage and retrieval but do not typically define how data is collected or prepared in the context of analysis.