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What are some examples of a dataset and a database? [114]

By Office of Science Quality and Integrity

Aggregated data from an analytical laboratory or measurements made directly during fieldwork are examples of datasets. If datasets are combined into a searchable product or system, the product or system is a database. The National Water Information System (NWIS) is a database; data retrieved from NWIS are datasets. [Read more].

Aggregated data received from an analytical laboratory for field samples or measurements made directly during fieldwork are both examples of datasets. If a number of datasets are combined together into a searchable product or defined system, this product or system is an example of a database regardless of whether a formal database management system is used. A geologic map has a geospatial dataset, and when this dataset is combined with other regional datasets, the result is another example of a database. The National Water Information System (NWIS) is a database. Data retrieved from NWIS (such as a table of data) are a dataset.