Data vs Information
People often miss the subtle difference between data and information and use the words interchangeably.
Comparison chart
| Data | Information | |
|---|---|---|
| Merriam-Webster's Online Definition (selected, edited): | 1: factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation. -- 3: information in numerical form that can be digitally transmitted or processed. | 1: the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence. -- 2: knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction |
| Meaning: | Data is raw, unorganized facts that need to be processed. Data can be something simple and seemingly random and useless until it is organized. | When data is processed, organized, structured or presented in a given context so as to make it useful, it is called Information. |
| Example: | Each student's test score is one piece of data | The class' average score or the school's average score is the information that can be concluded from the given data. |
| Definition: | Latin 'datum' meaning "that which is given". Data was the plural form of datum singular (M150 adopts the general use of data as singular. Not everyone agrees.) | Information is interpreted data. |
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