← VCE Data Analysis

Characteristic of data: structure

How data is organised. Structured data fits rows and columns with headings, like a table. Unstructured data, like free text, images or audio, has no fixed layout and is harder to analyse.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 24, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 50, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Structured Data and Queries — Module 1, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 17

Understanding Characteristic of data: structure in VCE Data Analysis

What it does: A formula can count matching values only when the data sits in a column with a consistent structure. Image and audio files have no fixed fields, so they are unstructured and need extra processing before analysis. Headings define the fields in structured data, which makes it easy to sort, filter and calculate. Structured data in columns can be sorted and filtered quickly. Free text must be read or processed first. Structure depends on how the data is organised into fields, not where it is stored.

Common mistakes: The heading row must separate each field with commas so it lines up with the data rows. It should be Name,Year,Score. This row has only 2 values but the headings define 3 columns. A structured table needs every row to have the same fields. It should be Pen,2.50,10.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 15–24) and word search (Modules 3–24).

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Learning
Duo
Which dataset is an example of structured data?
A folder of voice recordings from interviewsA table of student names, ages and marks in rows and columns
Matches
A paragraph of survey comments is structured data because it is stored in one spreadsheet cell.
↓
Storing text in a cell does not make it structured. Free text has no fixed fields, so it is unstructured data.
Applying
Meanings
Term
structure
Meaning
How data is organised. Structured data fits rows and columns with headings, like a table. Unstructured data, like free text, images or audio, has no fixed layout and is harder to analyse.
Practice
Name,Year,Score
Testing
Gaps
Structured data fits in rows and
Check Answer
Spots
1Name Year Score
2Ava,11,82

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Quick Questions

1. Which dataset is an example of structured data?
A. A table of student names, ages and marks in rows and columns ✓
B. A folder of voice recordings from interviews
Structured data is organised in a fixed layout, such as rows and columns with headings. Audio recordings have no fixed layout.
2. Which of these is unstructured data?
A. A spreadsheet with the headings Name, Suburb and Age
B. A pile of customer comments written as free text ✓
Free text has no fixed fields or headings, so it is unstructured. A spreadsheet with headings is structured.
3. True or false: Images and audio files are usually unstructured data.
A. False
B. True ✓
Images and audio have no rows, columns or headings, so they are unstructured and need extra processing before they can be analysed.
4. What is the purpose of headings at the top of a table?
A. They label each column so you know what type of data it holds ✓
B. They make the data unstructured so it is harder to misuse
Headings define the fields in structured data, which makes it easy to sort, filter and calculate.
5. Which dataset is easier to sort and filter?
A. A table with a Date column and a Score column ✓
B. A long paragraph describing each score and date
Structured data in columns can be sorted and filtered quickly. Free text must be read or processed first.

Match the Pairs

| Name | Age | Suburb | → Structured data: a table with column headings, where each value sits in a fixed row and column
"Loved the app but it kept crashing!" → Unstructured data: free text with no fixed layout, so it is harder to sort or count
Structured data can be filtered and sorted easily because each field has its own column → =COUNTIF(C2:C50,"Melbourne")
Images and audio are unstructured, so they have no rows or columns to analyse directly → photo.jpg, interview.mp3
A paragraph of survey comments is structured data because it is stored in one spreadsheet cell. → Storing text in a cell does not make it structured. Free text has no fixed fields, so it is unstructured data.
Unstructured data is easier to analyse than structured data because it has no layout rules. → It is the other way around. Structured data is easier to analyse because its rows, columns and headings can be sorted, filtered and counted.

Key Term

structure
How data is organised. Structured data fits rows and columns with headings, like a table. Unstructured data, like free text, images or audio, has no fixed layout and is harder to analyse.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Structured data fits in rows and columns
Hint: Type the word for the vertical divisions of a table.
2. Images and audio are unstructured data
Hint: Type the word for data that has no fixed layout of rows and columns.
3. =COUNTIF(C2:C30,">50")
Hint: Type the spreadsheet function that counts cells meeting a condition. It works easily because the data is structured.
4. SELECT * FROM students WHERE year = 11;
Hint: Type the keyword that filters rows in a query on a structured table.
5. Column headings label each field in a table
Hint: Type the word for the labels at the top of each column in structured data.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Name Year Score
B Ava,11,82
C Ben,12,75
Line A — The heading row must separate each field with commas so it lines up with the data rows. It should be Name,Year,Score.
Question 2
A Item,Price,Qty
B Pen,2.50
C Book,12.00,4
Line B — This row has only 2 values but the headings define 3 columns. A structured table needs every row to have the same fields. It should be Pen,2.50,10.
Question 3
A IF data is free text
B THEN type ← "structured"
C ELSE type ← "unstructured"
Line A — Free text has no fixed rows and columns, so it is unstructured. The condition must test for rows and columns, otherwise the THEN branch gives the wrong result.
Question 4
A Spreadsheet: structured
B Email body: unstructured
C Audio file: structured
D Customer table: structured
Line C — Audio has no rows, columns or headings, so it is unstructured data. It should be Audio file: unstructured.
Question 5
A Structured: easy to filter
B Structured: easy to total
C Unstructured: easy to total
Line C — Unstructured data has no fixed fields, so totalling or counting it is hard. It should be Unstructured: hard to total.

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