Which statement best distinguishes raw data from information?

• A. Information is unprocessed; raw data is interpreted data.
• B. Raw data are unprocessed; information is organized, interpreted data.
• C. Raw data is data stored in a database; information is data in a spreadsheet.
• D. Raw data is data about physical objects; information is data about virtual ones.

Answer: (B)

What distinguishes raw data from information is that raw data are unprocessed facts or measurements, while information is data that has been organized and interpreted to add meaning. When you collect a list of numbers from sensors or a stream of transaction amounts, that’s raw data—it’s just data points without context. When you take those data points, organize them (sort, categorize), summarize them (totals, averages), and interpret them to reveal patterns or conclusions (like trends over time or correlations), you’ve turned them into information that can guide decisions.

That’s why the statement that raw data are unprocessed and information is organized, interpreted data best captures the distinction. The other ideas don’t fit: information isn’t simply unprocessed, and raw data aren’t defined by where they’re stored or by whether they describe physical versus virtual things.