Final answer:
A database is an organized collection of data stored electronically for easy access, essential for managing and analyzing large amounts of information across various fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to refer to an organized collection of data that has been stored electronically to facilitate easy access is a database. A database is designed to manage, store, and retrieve data efficiently. Modern databases are capable of handling vast amounts of information and are essential in various fields that deal with Big Data, such as astronomy, where scientists recorded over 15 terabytes of data for the Sloan Survey.
In this digital age, databases are crucial for organizations to maintain large datasets effectively. Tools like supercomputers and advanced computer algorithms are used alongside databases to process and analyze significant amounts of data, making them readily accessible for various purposes from scientific research to business analytics.
Databases also support the concept of 'citizen science' through projects like the Galaxy Zoo, which helped classify millions of galaxy images with the aid of volunteers. This demonstrates the critical role databases and related technologies play in both professional and collaborative public efforts to organize, access, and utilize large data collections.