Data refers to collected information and facts, and it is a symbolic form used to describe and represent things, phenomena or events in the real world. Data usually exists in the form of numbers, texts, images, sounds, etc., and can be processed and stored by computers.
Depending on their nature and origin, data can be divided into the following categories:
Quantitative Data : Quantitative data is data that can be represented and measured by numbers, including continuous data and discrete data. Continuous data is data that can take any value within a certain range, such as temperature, time, etc. Discrete data is data that can only take a limited number of values within a certain range, such as age, number of people, etc.
Qualitative Data : Qualitative data is data described and expressed in words or symbols, which describe the characteristics, attributes and categories of things, rather than the quantity. Such as gender, color, breed, etc.
Subjective data and objective data: Subjective data refers to data obtained based on personal subjective opinions and judgments, such as feelings and evaluations in questionnaires. Objective data is data obtained through objective observation and measurement, such as experimental data and data collected by sensors.
Raw Data vs. Derived Data: Raw data is data that is initially collected, and it usually needs to be cleaned and processed for analysis and application. Derived data is data that is calculated or derived from the original data, such as averages, percentages, etc.
Data has a wide range of applications in various fields, such as:
Business and Marketing: In the field of business and marketing, data is used to analyze sales trends, customer behavior, market demand, etc., to help companies make decisions and formulate marketing strategies.
Science and Engineering: Scientists and engineers use data to conduct experimental analysis, simulation, optimization design, etc., to promote the development of science and technology.
Medical and health: Medical data are used to diagnose diseases, formulate treatment plans, monitor patients' health status, etc., and provide a basis for medical decision-making.
Finance and investment: In the field of finance and investment, data is used to analyze stock market trends, predict market fluctuations, assess risks, etc., to help investors make rational investment decisions.
Social Sciences and Education: Social science research and educational evaluation uses data for surveys, statistical analysis, teaching evaluation, and more.
Data plays a vital role in modern society. It provides the basis for decision-making, promotes scientific and technological progress, improves efficiency, and improves the quality of life. But at the same time, reasonable and safe processing of data also requires attention to issues such as privacy protection and data security.