Which term describes raw facts collected from observations?

Which term describes raw facts collected from observations?

• A. Information
• B. Knowledge
• C. Data
• D. Metadata

Answer: (C)

The main idea is understanding the difference between raw facts and the meaning we derive from them. Raw facts collected from observations are called data. They are the basic, unprocessed measurements or descriptions—numbers, words, or observations as they come in. When those facts are organized, interpreted, and given context, they become information. Information helps answer questions like what happened, where, and when. From there, when information is analyzed and understood to support decisions or actions, it evolves into knowledge. Metadata is data about other data, such as when a file was created, who authored it, or how it’s organized. So the term that describes raw facts collected from observations is data. Information describes what those facts mean when processed, knowledge is the use of information to make decisions, and metadata describes attributes about the data itself.

The main idea is understanding the difference between raw facts and the meaning we derive from them. Raw facts collected from observations are called data. They are the basic, unprocessed measurements or descriptions—numbers, words, or observations as they come in.

When those facts are organized, interpreted, and given context, they become information. Information helps answer questions like what happened, where, and when. From there, when information is analyzed and understood to support decisions or actions, it evolves into knowledge.

Metadata is data about other data, such as when a file was created, who authored it, or how it’s organized.

So the term that describes raw facts collected from observations is data. Information describes what those facts mean when processed, knowledge is the use of information to make decisions, and metadata describes attributes about the data itself.