Internet of Things (IoT) Practice Exam

How is data collected from sources like webpages and tweets typically categorized?

1. Structured

2. Unstructured

3. Normalized

4. Semi-structured

The correct answer is: Unstructured

Data collected from sources such as webpages and tweets is typically categorized as unstructured because it doesn't conform to a predefined data model or structure. Unstructured data is characterized by its lack of a specific format, making it more complex to collect and analyze compared to structured data, which is highly organized and easily searchable in databases. Webpages consist of a variety of content types, such as text, images, and videos, often formatted in ways that do not adhere to strict guidelines, resulting in a heterogeneous collection of information. Similarly, tweets are limited to 280 characters and can include hashtags, mentions, and links, all of which add layers of complexity that impede the categorization and analysis based on traditional data structures. While semi-structured data has some organizational properties (like XML or JSON), it is still not as rigidly structured as fully structured data. On the other hand, normalized data refers to data that has been organized to reduce redundancy, which is not the case with tweets and webpages in their original form. Hence, categorizing this type of data as unstructured accurately reflects its inherent complexity and variability.