Data
Data is any raw unprocessed fact collected with the aim of adding to other data points in order to create an information. An example of data is the value obtained when your height or your weight is measured.
Now, there are two kinds of data.
1. Discrete data
2. Continuous data.
Discreet Data
Data is said to be discrete when the data collected take only finite number of values or whole numbers. Discrete data can be obtained by counting.
An example of collecting discrete data is counting the number of students in a classroom. You would start from 1, then 2 and so on. When you are taking discrete data, you always count your normal 1, 2, 3.
Continuous Data
Continuous data on the other hand is data that is obtained mostly by measuring. For example, weight and distances are obtained by measuring. Continuous data, unlike discrete data, do not have finite number values. They are normally decimals, and take a range of values.
Information
Information is the conclusion drawn when a set (or a group) of data or data points are analysed. An example of information is the conclusion you draw after checking your weight or taking your height over the course of time, say, one month.
Collecting Data
Now, there are various ways and methods that we can use to collect data. Below are some of the ways that data can be collected:
1. Questionnaires
2. Experiments
3. Observation
4. Interviews
5. Survey
6. Databases
7. Online Forms
Data can also be classified as either quantitative or qualitative based on how they are collected.
Quantitative Data
Quantitative data is data that we use numbers when recording.
They are the kind of data that are either counted or measured using
numerical values.
Below are some examples of quantitative data:
1. Age
2. Height
3. Weight
4. Profit
5. Exam Scores
Qualitative Data
Qualitative data on the other hand is the form of data that we do not use numbers to record. They mostly express ideas, opinions or feelings about the event they are describing.
Examples of qualitative data are:
1. Text
2. Images
3. Audio