What is data?
At a broad level, data are items of recorded information considered collectively for reference or analysis.
Data can occur in a variety of formats that include, but are not limited to:
- notebooks
- survey responses
- software and code
- measurements from laboratory or field equipment (such as IR spectra or hygrothermograph charts)
- images (such as photographs, films, scans, or autoradiograms)
- audio recordings
- physical samples
Data can be defined in a variety of ways, depending on the discipline and the context. When it comes to making decisions about managing your research data, you may wish to consult the definitions used by your funder and by The Chicago School.
- NIH defines data in its Data Sharing Policy and Implementation Guidance.