In this data science crash course project, we aim to build a classification and prediction model to determine the potability of drinking water using machine learning and deep learning techniques in Python.
The first step of the project involves data exploration, where we examine the dataset's structure and characteristics. We identify the target variable, "Potability," which indicates whether the water is safe to drink (1) or not (0). We check for any missing values and handle them appropriately to ensure the dataset's integrity.
Next, we analyze the distribution of features in the dataset to understand their statistical properties. We visualize the feature distributions through histograms, box plots, and density plots. This exploration helps us identify potential outliers or skewed features that might require preprocessing.
Before building the predictive models, we split the dataset into training and testing sets. The training set is used to train the machine learning models, while the testing set evaluates their performance on unseen data.
To start with machine learning models, we employ algorithms Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines, K-Nearest Neighbors, Decision Trees, Random Forests, Gradient Boosting, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Light Gradient Boosting.. We use the Grid Search technique to optimize their hyperparameters, ensuring the best possible performance.
After evaluating and selecting the best-performing machine learning model, we explore deep learning techniques using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The ANN architecture consists of input, hidden, and output layers. We determine the optimal number of hidden layers and neurons through experimentation. To train the ANN, we use the training data and optimize the model's weights using backpropagation and gradient descent. We also employ techniques like dropout and batch normalization to prevent overfitting.
After training the models, we evaluate its performance on the test set. To gauge the model's accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, we generate a classification report. Additionally, we plot the training and validation accuracy as well as the loss during the training process to visualize the model's learning progress.
For further insights, we plot a confusion matrix, which provides a comprehensive view of the true positive, true negative, false positive, and false negative predictions. This helps us assess the model's performance in handling different classes.
Throughout the project, we prioritize model evaluation to ensure reliable predictions. We compute the accuracy score, which gives us an overall understanding of the model's correctness. The classification report provides detailed precision, recall, and F1-score for each class, highlighting how well the model predicts the positive and negative cases.
In conclusion, this data science crash course project focuses on drinking water potability classification and prediction using various machine learning and deep learning techniques in Python. The project begins with data exploration and feature distribution analysis, followed by the use of machine learning models with hyperparameter tuning through grid search. Subsequently, deep learning techniques using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) are employed, and the model's performance is evaluated using multiple metrics. By following this comprehensive approach, we aim to build an accurate and robust model that can effectively predict drinking water potability and contribute to ensuring safe drinking water for communities.