By data we generally refer to a series of measurements about specific elements or conditions which exist in the Inland Bays or from an environment in the laboratory that imitates the conditions in the Inland Bays. As the data is collected, it is usually recorded in a notebook and ultimately in a computer spreadsheet or database. The spreadsheets and databases are used to give the data an organized form - i.e., as an array or matrix. As one can see, even after a research project is carefully planned and the data is collected, there are still many fundamental questions that must be answered. The answers to most of the questions are largely found through a process of data analysis and the use of statistical techniques.
Statistics is one of a researcher's most powerful tools.
Having a clear understanding of the statistical premises is critical. Contrary to common belief, these premises are not all mathematical equations. There are many concepts in the field of statistics. For our purposes and for clarity, we will say that data is simply a number obtained by measuring something in the environment - usually a quantity determined by the use of an instrument. The number that is obtained, by itself , has a limited meaning.