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Data & Statistics

data never sleeps infographic

Statistics

Statistics are your place for quick numbers. They might answer the questions "how much" or "how many." Statistics result from data that have been interpreted then synthesized into a usable form.

Statistics can be in the form of numbers or percentages and they are frequently presented in a table or graph.

A statistical table might look like this one from the Statistical Abstract of the United States:

Or a table from Statista:

Data

What are data?

Data are plain facts, usually raw numbers. Think of a spreadsheet full of numbers with no meaningful description. In order for these numbers to become information, they must be interpreted to have meaning.

Data can be anything - numbers, spreadsheets, audio files, maps, etc.

Who creates data?

Data can come from a government census or organization surveys or research studies. 

Data - singular or plural?

  • Datum (singular form) - a piece of information
  • Data (plural form) - multiple pieces of information