Final answer:
The statement is false because data is raw facts and figures, while information is data that has been processed into a meaningful format. Data becomes information when it is analyzed and used in a context that adds value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Data and information mean the same thing' is false because data and information are distinct concepts. Data are raw, unprocessed facts and figures. Information, on the other hand, is the result of data being processed, organized, or structured in a way that is meaningful and provides context. For example, individual customer transactions represent data; a report summarizing monthly sales trends from these transactions is information.
Another example can be found in statistics; raw data are actual values recorded, like individual test scores. Once analyzed, this data might yield an average test score, which then becomes informational, contributing to an understanding of class performance.
Information typically serves a specific purpose and assists in decision-making. Hence, the correct critique of the statement would be option (c): 'This is a false statement because data is raw facts and figures and information is data converted into a meaningful format.'