Google Data Analytics Professional Certification Practice Test

Which term describes a dataset where each data subject has a single row with multiple columns?

1. Long data

2. Narrow data

3. Wide data

4. Complex data

The correct answer is: Wide data

The correct term that describes a dataset where each data subject has a single row with multiple columns is "wide data." In this structure, each row represents a unique subject or observation, while the columns correspond to different attributes or variables related to that subject. This format is particularly useful for datasets where you need to display various characteristics of each observation side by side, making it easier to analyze the relationships between these attributes. In contrast, long data structures typically have multiple rows for each subject, leading to a situation where the same subject information is repeated across several rows, often for various measurements or time points. This format is beneficial for time series analysis or situations where each observation needs a separate entry. Narrow data, while somewhat similar, tends to refer to datasets that have fewer columns relative to the number of observations or variables being measured, but does not specifically denote the one-row-per-subject characteristic that wide data does. Complex data usually refers to datasets with more intricate relationships, such as hierarchical or multilevel structures, and does not specifically define the row-column relationship of data subjects. Overall, "wide data" emphasizes the single-row-per-subject structure with multiple accompanying columns, which is essential for certain types of data analysis and visualization.