Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CQI Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer is data because it represents raw, unprocessed, and unorganized facts. Data is the foundation for further interpretation and analysis, but on its own, it carries no meaning without context or understanding. For instance, numbers or raw data points, such as temperature readings or sales figures, lack any insights unless they are analyzed and contextualized.

In contrast, information consists of data that has been processed to give it meaning and context. Knowledge takes this a step further by integrating information with experience and understanding, which allows for informed decision-making. Insight involves a deeper understanding or interpretation that reveals underlying patterns or implications from the previously analyzed information. Therefore, while data is essential as the source material for understanding phenomena, it is distinct from the other options, which each build upon the mere facts presented by data.