data source
compound.the place where information comes from, such as a database, a document, or a person.
compound.the primary location or origin from which information is retrieved for processing or analysis. In technical contexts, it refers to the specific system or file that provides input to a program or report.
“The main data source for this report is the company website.”
“Before starting the analysis, we must ensure that every data source is reliable and up to date.”
“The researchers integrated multiple data sources, including satellite imagery and ground-level sensors, to create a comprehensive model of the urban environment.”
often used in technical, business, or academic contexts when discussing research and statistics.
help students distinguish between the 'source' (where it starts) and the 'resource' (the tool used to get it); 'data source' is a standard collocation in IT and social sciences.