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Technique: Detect values outside a reasonable range using simple domain thresholds.

In this module, anomalies are defined using domain knowledge rather than advanced statistical methods.

A good dataset for this module:

  • contains measurements of a real-world system
  • has clearly defined units
  • allows you to define reasonable maximum or minimum values

Example Systems

Animal Measurements

Possible fields:

  • age
  • weight
  • height

Questions to explore:

  • What values clearly violate biological limits?
  • Are there cases that seem unusual but still possible?
  • How does domain knowledge affect threshold selection?

Vehicle Speeds

Possible fields:

  • speed_mph
  • vehicle_type
  • location

Questions to explore:

  • What speeds are clearly impossible or unsafe?
  • Should thresholds vary by vehicle type?

Building Temperatures

Possible fields:

  • indoor_temperature
  • outdoor_temperature

Questions to explore:

  • What temperature values suggest a sensor error?
  • What values suggest a system malfunction?

Product Prices

Possible fields:

  • product_price
  • category

Questions to explore:

  • What price values are clearly incorrect?
  • Are there extreme values that require investigation?

Network Response Times

Possible fields:

  • latency_ms
  • request_size

Questions to explore:

  • What latency values indicate a problem?
  • How might thresholds vary across systems?