Data Standards

Data standards are the guidelines for structuring, describing, and recording data. In many ways they are like a template used to ensure we can share, exchange, combine and understand data. Both data format and meaning must be standardized for us to effectively communicate and collaborate.

Often there is confusion between data standards and data that conforms to a standard. They really are different things. Data following a standard meet the standard’s structure, format, and meaning. They meet the standard’s expectations. On the other hand, a standard defines those expectations by carefully detailing data structure, format and meaning.