Dissertation data analysis help

[jnderu]

Hi everyone.
A couple of friends recently pointed me toward Hartle1998, a Data Analysis Service when I mentioned I needed help with dissertation data analysis. They swear by it, but what they don’t know is I’m not really looking for a “do it for you” type of service.

I actually want to get better at understanding the data myself, interpreting the stats, visualizing patterns, and (heck) figuring out which tools make the process less overwhelming.
Coming from a postgrad background, I know the theory, but I’d like something more practical, almost like the way HubSpot helps you make sense of customer data at scale.

Has anyone here found good tools, workflows, or even communities that help break down complex data into actionable insights? I’d love recommendations that bridge the gap between raw stats and storytelling. Not just services that take the work off your hands.

[Slav]

Good insights, Ruben. I really like the way you tied the HubSpot analogy back into data workflows. That idea of keeping a live loop between raw inputs and action is exactly what makes analysis valuable, whether in business or research.

One thing I’d add is the importance of starting simple and building in layers: first get the raw data clean and structured, then experiment with quick visuals, and only after that dive into more complex modelling. That progressive approach keeps the process less overwhelming and makes it easier to connect results back to the story you want to tell.

I’ve found that even in my own work with Data Legends, the biggest breakthroughs often come not from the stats themselves but from how you frame the narrative around them. If you ever want to share a small slice of your dataset, Jacob, I’d be happy to suggest a couple of workflows or tools you can explore hands-on.

[RubenBurdin · Accepted solution]

I like your approach, @jnderu 

Wanting to actually build the skill instead of outsourcing is the right long-term play.

One way to think about it is to treat your dissertation dataset like a HubSpot CRM: you’re not just storing records, you’re looking for ways to segment, visualize, and extract insights you can act on.

For hands-on practice, R and Python (with libraries like pandas, seaborn, and statsmodels) give you transparency into what’s happening behind the numbers, while tools like Tableau or Power BI let you practice the storytelling side of analysis. Even Excel with Power Query can take you surprisingly far if you structure the data well.

If what feels overwhelming is the jump from theory to application, communities like r/datascience or Kaggle can be excellent “practice grounds” where you can see others’ workflows, borrow techniques, and test your own. I’d also suggest setting small analysis “sprints”: pick one question about your data, answer it with a chart or regression, and write a short paragraph as if you were presenting it to a non-technical audience. That repetition builds the bridge between stats knowledge and usable narrative.

And since you mentioned HubSpot as an analogy, good insight there what makes HubSpot click is the real-time loop between raw inputs and business action. In data analysis, you can recreate that loop by combining a source (your dataset), a transformation layer (your code or queries), and a visualization/report layer that closes the gap between data and decision. That “operational analytics” mindset is also becoming the norm in 2025 for both businesses and research.

If you ever want to experiment with connecting raw datasets directly into dashboards and keeping them consistent across systems, Stacksync makes it possible to sync databases, CRMs, and warehouses in real time so your analysis always starts from clean, current data. Hope this helps you find that balance between stats and storytelling.

[Jaycee_Lewis]

Thanks @Slav 🙌

[Slav]

Hi Jacob,

That sounds like a great mindset - wanting to build the skills yourself rather than just hand it off. Do you have something specific in mind right now? A dataset you’re working on, or a particular type of analysis you’re struggling with?

I run a separate business outside my HubSpot agency called Data Legends, where I work with a couple of real data lads who can do some big things. I know you’re not after a “do it for you” service, but if you want to share what you’re working on, I don’t mind giving some guidance or even pointing you in the right direction. If it helps, I can also get one of my team to weigh in - free of charge, no worries.

Happy to help however I can.

Slav