  In the light of recent data, we study the new physics effects in the
exclusive $b \to s \ell^+\ell^-$ decays from a model independent perspective.
Different combinations of the dimension six effective operators along with
their respective Wilson coefficients are chosen for the analysis. To find out
the operator or sets of operators that can best explain the available data in
this channel, we simultaneously apply popular model selection tools like
cross-validation and the information theoretic approach like Akaike Information
Criterion (AIC). There are one, two, and three-operator scenarios which survive
the test and a left-handed quark current with vector muon coupling is common
among them. This is also the only surviving one-operator scenario. Best-fit
values and correlations of the new Wilson coefficients are supplied for all the
selected scenarios. We find that the angular observables play the dominant role
in the model selection procedure. We also note that while a left-handed quark
current with axial-vector muon coupling is the only one-operator scenario able
to explain the ratios $R_{K^{(*)}}$ ($R_{K^*}$ for $q^2\in [ 0.045, 1.1] {\rm
GeV}^2$ in particular), there are also a couple of two operator scenarios that
can simultaneously explain the measured $R_{K^{(*)}}$.
