Data, information and statistics

Now that the world has entered the new millennium, we are facing new and challenging problems in our everyday lives. More now than ever before, governments, industry and society need reliable information to make better decisions in tackling these problems.

The need for an informed society is one reason why the Canadian education system is developing an emphasis on students gathering and processing data, and presenting the information in order to complete work requirements. However, before students can undertake such activities, it is important for them to have a sound understanding of the terms data, information and statistics.