Feeding data or "entering" data: which one is correct?

Question

Which is the better verb to use with *data*: *feeding* or *entering*? Furthermore, which is more common in the literature of the field and which do people who work in the field say more often? Are they used for different kinds of input systems? If the data are automatically continuously input by a machine (e.g., the Mars probe), is feeding data used, but if the data are individually input by someone at a keyboard (e.g., entering data into a user database), is entering data used?

Answer 1

Both are appropriate, but it depends on the context and the recipient of the data rather than the input system.

To "feed" someone or something data would suggest that the recipient is actively receiving the data, which means that there is a level of pull - the recipient wants the data, and it follows that they are actively interpreting the data. For example, I would "feed data" to a scientist doing lab work in the field, who would then use the data to inform their conclusions on whatever research they are conducting.

To "enter" data would, in contrast, suggest the recipient takes a passive role. Instead of pulling and interpreting, the recipient would simply be a repository for the data. For example, I would "enter data" into an Excel spreadsheet, or I would "enter data" into a database for archive.

Because of this, I wouldn't say that either words find more use than the other. Both are appropriate in their own way, it just depends on the context. The examples you provided appear to be sound. It is appropriate that scientists are "being fed data" by the Mars probe, and it is appropriate that someone would "enter data" into a user database. However, it is not a question of whether or not the input system determines the word usage, but rather the level of the recipient's passivity or activity.

Answer 2

Hi there,

You're correct in the different between entering data and feeding data. One enters data into a system or database (think about entering data into excel). Data entry is perceived as a boring, mindless task, often asked of interns and the like. Feeding data is about putting into a model or some other process that analyzes the data. So you feed data into a model. You wouldn't enter data into a model.

There's also loading data... like loading data into R or SPSS, which just means pulling it up to be used.

Hope this helps.

-Natasha