
- Observational data are captured in real time, usually unique and irreplaceable, like brain images, survey data.
- Experimental data are from lab equipment, often reproducible, but can be expensive such as chromatograms, microassays.
- Simulation data are generated from test models where model and metadata may be more important than output data from the model, for example economic or climate models.
- Derived or compiled data result from processing or combining 'raw' data, often reproducible but expensive, like compiled databases, text mining.
- Reference or canonical data are a (static or organic) conglomeration or collection of smaller (peer reviewed) datasets, most probably published and curated, such as gene databanks, crystallographic databases.