What does it mean to "Interpret" data?

To "Interpret" data means to explain the meaning or significance of collected data or information. This involves taking the raw data, examining it within the context it was gathered, and making sense of what it indicates. Interpretation can involve identifying patterns, trends, or relationships that are not immediately obvious. It goes beyond merely stating what the data shows; interpretation requires reasoning to connect the data to broader concepts or implications.

In contrast, analyzing the structure and meaning of data focuses on breaking down the data into components rather than deriving significance, which aligns more with the processing stage of understanding data. Combining different data points into a singular conclusion involves synthesis, which is a different cognitive skill where various pieces of data are integrated rather than interpreted individually. Providing detailed information about each data point is more about describing and cataloging data rather than interpreting its overall meaning or impact in a given context.