Measurement & Data Collection

Engineers apply their understanding of units of measurement and data collection to create safe, accurate devices and processes that help improve everyone’s quality of life.

From skyscraper design to nanotechnology research, engineers use their knowledge of measurement and data collection to help shape the future!

Measurement and data collection are prevalent in all areas of our lives—including the arts, sciences, technology, and engineering.

Measurement is the process we use to discover the size, length, density or other dimensions of something. We constantly measure speed, length, time, temperature, height, volume and more. And, we measure things using both standard and non-standard units of measurement.

Standard measurement units are the common units of measurement used throughout the world. Standard units allow us to communicate despite language and cultural differences. This is why we use hours, minutes and seconds to measure time and degrees to measure temperature.

There are two standard unit measurement systems: Imperial or U.S. customary units (inch/foot/mile, ounce/pound, degrees Fahrenheit, etc.) and Metric (meter, kilogram, degrees Celsius, etc.). All measurements can be converted between these two measurement systems. Worldwide, the metric system is the most commonly used, making it important for engineers to be able to comfortably work with metric units of measurement.

Non-standard measurement units are a more uncommon but still useful method to measure things. For example, we can use paper clips end-to-end to measure how tall we are or yarn to measure the width of our classroom. We can also use our hands to determine if one object is heavier than another. These units of measurement, however, are not exact and might be harder to communicate with others.

What is data? Data is a collection of measurements we use to classify, sort, organize, and interpret information so we can make informed decisions. Our brains constantly pull information from our surroundings to inform all aspects of our lives—from gauging objects to handle carefully (if there is steam, or something has been out in the sun, etc..), if something is dangerous (fast moving cars, tall cliffs, etc.) and more.

All types of engineers incorporate measurement and data collection into their daily work, ensuring that the designs, products, and processes they create are safe to use by others. Civil and architectural engineers create measurements in order to build large objects, such as skyscrapers, while biological and chemical engineers measure very small objects, such as the diameter of cells. But all engineers use measurement and data collection to do their work!