Which of the following best describes data?

The best description of data is that it consists of uninterpreted elements with no inherent meaning. Data refers to raw facts and figures that can be collected through various means but do not convey purposeful information without context or interpretation. For instance, a series of numbers (like 23, 42, and 15) are considered data if they have not been contextualized or analyzed; they are just representations of values.

In contrast, processed information that conveys meaning — often termed information — is derived from data through organization, processing, or analysis. Visual representations of information are typically found in the forms of charts or graphs, which help convey information derived from data, rather than being data themselves. Organized knowledge ready for analysis indicates a higher level of processing than raw data, where information has been categorized and prepared for further examination, thus surpassing the stage of raw data.