Raw Data
Definition
Raw Data (or source data, atomic data): The initial set of data collected prior to any processing or analysis. This data is typically unprocessed and may include everything from numbers and texts to images, depending on the context of the research. Raw data is essential as it represents real-world conditions without any manipulations and serves as the basis for further data extraction, transformation, and analysis.
Examples
- Survey Responses: Raw data collected from a survey before categorizing the responses.
- Sensor Readings: Initial readings from weather sensors tracking temperature, humidity, etc.
- Transaction Records: The unaggregated records of sales from a day in a retail store.
- Website Logs: Logs showing every visitor interaction on a website before any summarization or filtering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of raw data?
- Real-World Representation: Raw data provides a truthful and unmodified snapshot of the real-world circumstances it measures, making it invaluable for accurate analysis and conclusions.
How is raw data different from processed data?
- Unprocessed: Raw data is in its original state, without modifications or summarization.
- Processed Data: Data that has been cleaned, organized, and transformed to make it ready for analysis.
Can raw data be analyzed directly?
- While possible, direct analysis of raw data can be cumbersome due to its unorganized state. It typically requires preprocessing steps such as cleaning and transformation to yield meaningful insights.
What are common issues associated with raw data?
- Noise: Raw data often contains irrelevant or redundant information.
- Errors: It may include inaccuracies or missing entries that require cleaning.
How is raw data collected?
- Surveys/Questionnaires: Collecting direct responses.
- Sensor Devices: Automatic collection of environmental data.
- Transactional Databases: Logging transactions automatically.
Related Terms with Definitions
Data Processing
- Data Processing: The act of transforming raw data into a more understandable format through steps such as cleansing, organizing, and analyzing.
Data Analytics
- Data Analytics: The science of examining raw data with the purpose of drawing conclusions about that information. This often involves complex tools and methodologies.
Data Cleaning
- Data Cleaning: The process of detecting and correcting (or removing) corrupt or inaccurate records from a dataset, ensuring the quality of the data.
Big Data
- Big Data: A term used to describe datasets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate to deal with them.
Online References
- What is Raw Data? - Techopedia
- Data Cleaning: What It Is and How to Do It - DataCamp
- An Introduction to Data Analytics - AWS
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Python for Data Analysis” by Wes McKinney
- “Data Preparation for Data Mining” by Dorian Pyle
- “The Data Warehouse ETL Toolkit: Practical Techniques for Extracting, Cleaning, Conforming, and Delivering Data” by Ralph Kimball
- “Cleaning Data for Effective Data Science: Doing the Other 80% of the Work” by David Mertz
Fundamentals of Raw Data: Data Science Basics Quiz
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