How to Spot Data in the Wild — and Make Sense of It

Data is information …

But not just any kind! It’s information that we can observe, collect, organize, and analyze to spot patterns or tell stories.

Data can be:

  • a number (how many hours you slept)

  • a word (how you felt about a movie)

  • a file (your Spotify playlist)

  • or even a messy screenshot from your group chat

We interact with data every day — whether it’s checking how long you were on TikTok, voting in an online poll, or deciding what time to sleep based on your alarm.

You may not realize it, but you’re surrounded by data — and you even create it constantly.

What are the two types of data?

Quantitative

Quantitative data includes information that can be measured or counted, and it is always expressed in numerical form. It is often used to identify trends, make comparisons, or describe how much or how often something occurs

For example:

  • Your screen time was 5 hours and 12 minutes yesterday

  • You got 4 out of 5 on a science quiz

  • You slept for 7 hours last night

Qualitative

Qualitative data consists of descriptive information that captures qualities, characteristics, opinions, or emotions. It is often collected through open-ended questions, interviews, videos, or personal reflections.

For example:

  • Your weekend was “fun but overwhelming“

  • A new app “feels more chill than Instagram“

  • A classmate explained why they study best with lo-fi music and snacks

Watch:

What Is Data?

How is the data organized?

Structured Data

Structured data is highly organized and formatted in a way that makes it easy to enter into spreadsheets, databases, or charts. Each piece of information fits into a predefined format, such as rows and columns.

Examples include:

  • A table showing your weekly screen time

  • A survey that asks you to rate your mood from 1 to 5

  • A list of your test scores in each subject

Unstructured Data

Unstructured data does not follow a consistent or predefined format. It can be messy, complex, or creative, and it often includes text, images, video, or audio. While it can be more difficult to organize or analyze, unstructured data often contains meaningful insights.

Examples include:

  • A video diary about how your school week went

  • Screenshots of conversations in a group chat

  • A voice recording describing how you feel before a performance or event

Although structured data is easier to analyze, unstructured data often provides deeper insight into personal experiences or emotions.

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