1. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session1 The Nature of Data Frank Farance Farance, Inc Daniel W. Gillman US Bureau of Labor Statistics

2. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session2 Overview Terminology Theory Current Definitions Data –Concept with Equality –Value –Datum Conclusion

3. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session3 Terminology Theory Object = perceivable or conceivable Characteristic = abstraction of properties of objects Concept = unique combination of characteristics Designation = association of sign with concept

4. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session4 Terminology Theory Intension = sum of characteristic Extension = set of corresponding objects Prototyping –Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things – Lakoff –Nearness –Table

5. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session5 Current Definitions ISO/IEC 2382-1: Information technology - Vocabulary, Part 1: Fundamental terms –"Reinterpretable representation of information in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing."

6. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session6 Current Definitions Improving Data Warehouse and Business Information Quality – Larry English –"Data is the representation of facts about things."

7. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session7 Concept with Equality Equal Concepts? –Equal Intensions and Extensions? –Valid UPC codes –Nearness Concept with Equality –Equal Intension with Extension Determined Consistently –Positive prime integers

8. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session8 Values Value := Concept with Equality –Five Values imply partitions –Five or not five –Male and Female

9. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session9 Datum Datum := Designation of a Value –M for Male –F for Female –5 for Five –A for the first letter of the Latin alphabet Prototype –Measurement error

10. 4 April 2006METIS Work Session10 Conclusion New Definition –Datum := Designation of a concept with equality –Answers the question – What is data? –Dan Gillman Gillman.daniel@bls.gov –Frank Farance Frank@farance.com