WHAT IS DATA?

In research, data is our constant companion. Today, phrases like 'Let’s look at the data' or 'What does the data say?' are commonly heard in videos, podcasts, and interviews. But what exactly is data?

Definition: Data can be defined as raw facts, figures, images, texts, audio, video, or other materials collected for reference, analysis, or computation. Data can be generated, collected, organized, processed, analyzed, interpreted, and enriched with context to extract meaningful insights that support informed decision-making in research, business, and technology. The quality and structure of data significantly influence its usefulness and the accuracy of conclusions drawn from it.

Illustrative example: Imagine you're on your way to grab coffee when you notice a cat trapped under a car. After helping her out, you snap a photo and upload it to Instagram. Alone, the image is mere data; without context, people would not know what to think of it and it might be overlooked.

However:

• By adding details like the location, time, and a caption such as 'I rescued this little kitten today!', you provide context, turning data into information that piques interest.
• When you then mention, 'I discovered I’m allergic to cats,' you enrich the narrative with knowledge.
• Finally, by stating, 'I know I cannot have cats in my future home,' you share insights, demonstrating wisdom derived from your experience.

This progression illustrates how raw data can evolve into valuable wisdom. In essence, when we say 'looking at the data,' we mean examining the insights or knowledge derived from it, not just the raw facts themselves.

Research Data

How then do we define research data? Think back to the last time you gathered information for a thesis, assignment, or project. Maybe you conducted interviews, ran surveys, or even lab experiments. The results of those efforts—whether numbers, images, or text—are all forms of data, which can take on much broader forms. Hence, research data refers to any information collected, observed, or generated during a research project and serves as the basis for research findings. It can be:

• Raw data: Experimental measurements, field notes, or sensor readings
• Processed data: Analyzed, transformed, or curated datasets
• Numerical data: Survey results or measurements
• Non-numerical data: Interview transcripts, images, videos, or audio
• Metadata: Descriptive information about the data.