Final answer:
The true statement about data among the provided options is that data can be defined as a representation of reality. This aligns with its definition as items of information that represent observable facts or figures from a population or sample, and when analyzed, can provide meaningful insights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Which of the following statements is true about data?' can be answered by looking at the options provided in combination with the descriptions and definitions of data from various references. The first option states data can be defined as a representation of reality, which aligns well with its purpose of being individual items of information that come from a population or sample. The second statement about the ability to understand information describes analytical skills rather than data itself. The third statement, which says data has no meaning in and of itself, can be partially true as data without context might lack significance. However, when properly collected and interpreted, data can provide meaningful insights. The fourth option describes the use of information to make decisions or predictions, which is more about the application of data rather than what data is. Lastly, the fifth statement discusses organizing or manipulating information to make it suitable for a task, which is more about data processing than data itself.
Therefore, the correct statement about data is the first one: Data can be defined as a representation of reality. It represents observable facts, numerical figures, or items of information that, when analyzed, can help us understand what is happening in various scenarios, such as a preference for a product or a candidate, or the need for a park in a community.