Abstract: A method of data analysis is enabled by receiving raw data records extracted from one or more data sources, and then generating from the data records an entity-relationship model. The entity-relationship model comprises more entity instances, and one or more relationships between those entity instances. Data analysis of the model is facilitated using one or more provenance links. A provenance link associates raw data records and one or more entity instances. Using a visual explorer that displays a set of entity instances and relationships from a selected entity-relationship model, a user can display details for an entity instance, and see relationships between and among entity instances. By virtue of the underlying linkage provided by the provenance links, the user can also display source records for an entity instance, and display entity instances for a source record. The technique facilitates Big Data analytics.