What is data?

Article

Parsons, R. 2022. What is data? MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 32 (1), pp. 10-11.
TypeArticle
TitleWhat is data?
AuthorsParsons, R.
Abstract

The word 'data' often appears in research papers but it can sometimes be hard to determine exactly what the author is using the term 'data' to mean. The simplest definition is that data are information that have been collected and recorded ( Herzog 2016).

Within midwifery practice data are collected constantly, from simple information like birth weights to more complex statistics on staffing ratios. Data help to answer questions, establish baselines or determine trends and can take many forms.

Sustainable Development Goals4 Quality education
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherMidwives Information and Resource Service
JournalMIDIRS Midwifery Digest
ISSN0961-5555
Electronic2631-8814
Publication dates
PrintMar 2022
Publication process dates
AcceptedMar 2022
Deposited08 Feb 2024
Output statusPublished
LanguageEnglish
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