Home › Technology › Scientific Method & Inquiry › data

data

DAY-tuh /ˈdeɪtə/

nounB1TOEFLIELTS

generalformal

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

In scientific and academic contexts, 'data' is typically treated as a plural noun (e.g., 'the data are compelling'), though in common usage, it's often treated as singular ('the data is compelling'). It refers to raw, uninterpreted information.

The story behind the word. The word 'data' comes directly from the Latin word 'datum,' which is the neuter past participle of 'dare,' meaning 'to give.' So, 'datum' literally means 'something given.' In its plural form, 'data' meant 'things given.' This perfectly reflects its role in science: data are the 'given' facts or observations that form the basis for analysis and conclusions.

Word relationships

information: Information is a broader term; data is raw, uninterpreted information, often numerical or factual.
facts: Facts are verified truths; data are the raw observations or measurements that can lead to facts.
statistics: Statistics are numerical data collected and analyzed systematically.

speculation: Guessing without factual basis.
intuition: Knowledge gained without conscious reasoning or data.

Commonly confused with

information: Data are raw facts and figures; information is data that has been processed, organized, and interpreted to provide meaning.

Collocations

collect data
analyze data
raw data
quantitative data
qualitative data
big data

Example sentences

"The researchers spent weeks collecting data from the survey, which included responses from over a thousand participants." Scientists meticulously collect data during experiments.
"All the raw data were uploaded to a secure server for further analysis by the team." Interpreting data is a critical skill.

Memory hook

Imagine a 'DATE' (data) on a calendar, representing a specific piece of 'given' information. DATE-a: Given facts.

When not to use

Do not use 'data' to refer to a single piece of information; the singular form is 'datum,' though 'datum' is rarely used outside of highly technical fields. 'Data' implies a collection.

Fun facts

The debate over whether 'data' is singular or plural has a long history. While technically plural, its singular use is now widely accepted in informal contexts, especially in computing.