Structured Data vs. Unstructured Data
When it comes to data analytics, there are two main types of data: structured and unstructured. As the names suggest, structured data has a predefined format, while unstructured data does not. In this blog post, we will dive deeper into the differences between structured and unstructured data and the benefits they offer for data analytics.
Structured Data
Structured data is typically organized in a tabular format with well-defined columns and rows. Examples of structured data include customer order forms, transaction records, and financial statements. This type of data is easy to analyze using various data analytics tools such as spreadsheets and databases, as it is much easier to query and manipulate.
Structured data also allows for efficient storage and retrieval of data. This is because structured data often comes from a relational database that uses SQL (Structured Query Language) to manage and retrieve data. As a result, structured data is prone to being more reliable and accurate than its counterpart, unstructured data.
Unstructured Data
Unstructured data, on the other hand, does not have a predefined format. Examples of unstructured data include emails, social media posts, images, and videos. This type of data is more difficult to analyze due to its lack of structure, which makes it harder to search for specific information. However, advancements in machine learning and AI have made it possible to extract valuable insights from unstructured data.
Unstructured data is becoming increasingly important in today's digital world, where approximately 80% of all data is unstructured. Analyzing unstructured data can help organizations gain a better understanding of customer sentiment, improve their products or services, and make more informed decisions.
Conclusion
Both structured and unstructured data have their benefits when it comes to data analytics. Structured data is reliable, accurate, and easy to analyze, while unstructured data can provide valuable insights and help organizations gain a competitive advantage. Ultimately, the type of data used for analysis depends on the organization's specific needs and goals.
Thank you for reading. We hope you found this comparison informative and helpful.
References
- Gartner.com. (2021). Gartner Glossary | Structured Data. [online] Available at: https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/structured-data [Accessed 20 May 2021].
- McLeod, R. (2020). Structured Data Vs Unstructured Data - Infographic. [online] DATAMATION. Available at: https://www.datamation.com/big-data/structured-data-vs-unstructured-data.html [Accessed 20 May 2021].