Data is anything that has been produced or created during research. Primary data is data that you have created yourself, but your data sets can also contain data that has been created by other researchers. Data can be created through observation or experimental methods, it can also be generated through simulation models. Most researchers assume that data means numerical results (quantitative data) but this is not true. ‘Data’ encompasses material used in all disciplines and can include photographs, sculptures, letters, speeches or music (qualitative data).
All disciplines which conduct research will use research data and this can take a variety of forms. Whether it is created by the researcher or sourced from elsewhere research data is that which constitutes the core of your work. It is what you will study and the material from which your conclusions will be drawn.