Which of the following is an example of internal data?

Internal data refers to information that is collected and maintained within an organization. Customer databases serve as a prime example of internal data because they consist of records and details about customers who have interacted with the business. This could include information such as purchase history, preferences, and contact information, which is all generated and housed internally by the company.

The other choices represent various forms of external data. Government publications provide statistics and information relevant to industries but originate outside of a specific organization. Market research reports, while informative, typically aggregate data from various external sources to analyze trends and competition rather than being a product of internal data collection. Similarly, industry associations gather and distribute data from multiple organizations across various sectors, making it external data. Therefore, customer databases distinctly qualify as internal data because they compile information sourced directly from the business's operational activities and customer interactions.