Definition: Meaningful information (has merit – not false) that is qualitative (expert opinions) or quantitative (measurable performance) to your decisions are facts or data.

Importance: Gathering relevant data and information is a critical step in supporting the analyses required for proving or disproving the hypothesis

Basic Concepts:

• Know where to dig
• Know how to filter through information
• Know how to verify – Has happened in the past
• Know how to apply – Relates to what you are trying to solve

Methods to collect Data: There are different methods of collecting a data based on the application. Data can be either Primarily collected via Surveys, Interviews, Questionnaire etc. or data collected can be a secondary by other existing resources.