Raw data
Topic: Geographical Data: Sources, Compilation and Processing · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Data - Its Source and Compilation"
Meaning
Raw data are data in the exact form they were first collected, before any sorting or working. They usually look like a jumble of figures that makes little sense at first glance. Before you can draw a conclusion, raw data must be arranged in tables, grouped into classes and processed.
Example
Imagine the geography marks of 60 students written down in no order, ranging from 02 to 96. In this state they are raw data. You cannot tell how most students did until you sort the marks into classes, such as ten classes of 10 marks each, and count how many fall in each.
Don't confuse with
- Grouped data: grouped data have already been sorted into classes with frequencies. Raw data have not been touched at all.