Charles Davis Sep 21, 2014:

datos, data and information (2) Although M-W says that data is information stored in numerical form, this surely means in digital form; it doesn't mean necessarily mean that mean that the information thus stored is inherently numerical. "Data" is anything that can be stored in a database, including names and addresses, for example, among many other things. The computer turns them into numbers in order to store them.

Another well-established use of "data" is factual information of a personal nature: that which is covered by data protection legislation.

On this basis, it seems to me that the information contained in an academic transcript can properly be called data. Much of it is literally numerical or quantitative, and all of it is factual information used as a basis for argument or from which conclusions can be drawn: dates, names of courses, grades, GPAs. All of it, moreover, is potentially subject to data protection. So I think that although "information" is obviously a valid translation of "datos" here, "data" is also valid.

Charles Davis Sep 21, 2014:

datos, data and information (1) Pablo Julián raises an important point. "Datos/data" is a narrower term than "información/information". In principle, the distinction is the same in both languages:

"Data
1: factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation
2: information output by a sensing device or organ that includes both useful and irrelevant or redundant information and must be processed to be meaningful
3: information in numerical form that can be digitally transmitted or processed
(Merriam-Webster)

"dato
1. m. Antecedente necesario para llegar al conocimiento exacto de algo o para deducir las consecuencias legítimas de un hecho.
2. m. Documento, testimonio, fundamento.
3. m. Inform. Información dispuesta de manera adecuada para su tratamiento por un ordenador."
(DRAE)

I agree that in practice "data" is more narrowly used than "datos". In other words, there are times when "datos" should be translated as "information", rather than "data". Is this such a case?