da‧ta S1 W1 AC / deɪtə, dɑtə / 名词

1 [复数形式，不可数] information or facts :

The research involves collecting data from two random samples.

data on

data on pesticide use

experimental/historical/statistical etc data

detailed research data

Grammar

After data , you can use a singular 动词 or, in formal or technical English, a 复数形式 动词 :

The data is collected by trained interviewers.

These data are summarized in Table 5.

► Do not say ‘datas’ or ‘a data’.

2 [不可数名词] information in a form that can be stored and used, especially on a computer :

It’s possible to store a lot more data on a DVD.

data storage/transfer/retrieval

COLLOCATIONS

ADJECTIVES/NOUN + data

accurate It’s important to ensure that the data we collect is accurate.

reliable Some of the data isn’t very reliable.

factual data It’s difficult to collect factual data on these insects.

historical/financial/scientific etc data My research involves analyzing the historical data.

statistical data (= based on statistics ) It is difficult to compare statistical data from different countries.

empirical data (= based on tests or experience, not on ideas ) The theory is supported by empirical data.

experimental data (= resulting from experiments ) the analysis of experimental data

survey/census data (= produced in a survey or census ) Survey data show that people’s participation in sports rises with their level of income.

raw data (= data that has been collected, but not organized or studied ) This system does no more than produce the raw data.

computer data (= kept on a computer ) Digital cameras transfer pictures and sound into computer data.

electronic data (= kept in an electronic form ) new ways of storing electronic data

动词

collect data The survey data has been collected over the last three decades.

store data The data is stored on a computer in our central office.

process data (= store and organize it using computers ) Newer computers can process data much more quickly.

analyze data The researchers then began analyzing the data.

data shows something The data shows that suicide rates among young men have increased over the last twenty years.

data indicates/suggests something Our data indicates that weather patterns are likely to get more extreme.

data + NOUN

a data base/data bank (= a large amount of data stored in a computer system ) We can compare insurance prices from different companies on the database.

data collection Choosing the right method of data collection will be crucial to the experiment’s success.

data processing (= using computers to store and organize information ) They’ve got a very efficient system for data processing.

data analysis Computers are increasingly used for data analysis.

短语

a set of data (= one group of data ) The three sets of data produced strikingly different results.

a piece/item of data Every single piece of data is important.

a body of data (= a large amount of data ) There is an enormous body of data in support of the theory.