"My own view is that there are contexts where it’s okay to treat data as a plural, but none in which you can’t treat it as a singular—and that contrary to what many “reasonable” usage writers counsel, this isn't simply a matter of “style and personal preference.” "
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=4396
I quote:
"My own view is that there are contexts where it’s okay to treat data as a plural, but none in which you can’t treat it as a singular—and that contrary to what many “reasonable” usage writers counsel, this isn't simply a matter of “style and personal preference.” "
Other, shorter, humorous, posts about data:
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=4401
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=14970
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=20635