Data

Definition

Data refers to facts, figures, and other relevant materials collected for analysis and used to make decisions. It can be quantitative (numerical) or qualitative (descriptive).

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Data can be primary or secondary, depending on whether it was originally collected by the researcher or obtained from existing sources.
2. Organizing data involves classifying, sorting, and summarizing information to make it interpretable.
3. Data visualization techniques like charts and graphs help in understanding data trends.
4. Descriptive statistics summarize data using measures such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.
5. The quality of data affects the reliability of statistical analysis and subsequent conclusions.

Review Questions

• What is the difference between primary and secondary data?
• How does organizing data help in statistical analysis?
• Name two descriptive statistics that are commonly used to summarize data.

Related terms

Quantitative Data: Numerical information that can be measured and compared mathematically.

Qualitative Data: Descriptive information that characterizes but does not measure attributes or properties.

Descriptive Statistics: Techniques for summarizing and interpreting features of a dataset through measures like mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.