Which of the following is not a manipulation method?

Accessing data is focused on retrieving or reading the data from a data source; it does not change the data or its organization in any way. In contrast, the other options involve actively changing how data is organized or displayed.

Sorting data means arranging it in a particular order, like alphabetical or numerical, which is a manipulation that directly affects the way we perceive or work with the data. Filtering data involves selecting a subset of data by applying certain criteria, which alters the set of data being examined. Transposing data refers to switching the rows and columns in a data set, which also fundamentally changes its structure.

By recognizing that accessing data is about retrieval rather than change, it's clear why it stands apart from the other methods listed, which involve some form of manipulation to improve data presentation or usability.