What is Data?

Data is a raw and unorganized fact that required to be processed to

make it meaningful. Data can be simple at the same time unorganized
unless it is organized. Generally, data comprises facts, observations,
perceptions numbers, characters, symbols, image, etc.

Data is always interpreted, by a human or machine, to derive

meaning. So, data is meaningless. Data contains numbers,
statements, and characters in a raw form.

What is Information?
Information is a set of data which is processed in a meaningful way
according to the given requirement. Information is processed,
structured, or presented in a given context to make it meaningful and
useful.

It is processed data which includes data that possess context,

relevance, and purpose. It also involves manipulation of raw data.

Information assigns meaning and improves the reliability of the data. It

helps to ensure undesirability and reduces uncertainty. So, when the
data is transformed into information, it never has any useless details.
KEY DIFFERENCE
 Data is a raw and unorganized fact that is required to be
processed to make it meaningful whereas Information is a set of
data that is processed in a meaningful way according to the
given requirement.
 Data does not have any specific purpose whereas Information
carries a meaning that has been assigned by interpreting data.
 Data alone has no significance while Information is significant by
itself.
 Data never depends on Information while Information is
dependent on Data.
 Data measured in bits and bytes, on the other hand, Information
is measured in meaningful units like time, quantity, etc.
 Data can be structured, tabular data, graph, data tree whereas
Information is language, ideas, and thoughts based on the given
data.
 Data Vs. Information
Parameters Data Information
Qualitative Or
QuantitativeVariables It is a group of data which
Description
which helps to develop carries news and meaning.
ideas or conclusions.
Data comes from a Latin Information word has old French
word, datum, which and middle English origins. It
means “To give has referred to the “act of
Etymology
something.” Over a time informing.”. It is mostly used for
“data” has become the education or other known
plural of datum. communication.
Data is in the form of
Format numbers, letters, or a Ideas and inferences
set of characters.
It can be structured,
Language, ideas, andthoughts
Represented in tabular data, graph, data
based on the given data.
tree, etc.
 Parameters Data Information
Data does not have any It carries meaning that has been
Meaning
specific purpose. assigned by interpreting data.
Information that is
Interrelation Information that is processed.
collected
Data is a single unit and Information is the product and
Feature is raw. It alone doesn’t group of data which jointly carry
have any meaning. a logical meaning.
It never depends on
Dependence It depended on Data.
Information
Measured in bits and Measured in meaningful units
Measuring unit
bytes. like time, quantity, etc.
Support for
It can’t be used for It is widely used for decision
Decision
decision making making.
making
Unprocessed raw
Contains Processed in a meaningful way
factors
Knowledge It is low-level It is the second level of
level knowledge. knowledge.
Data is the property of
an organization and is Information is available for sale
Characteristic
not available for sale to to the public.
the public.
Data depends upon the
Dependency sources for collecting Information depends upon data.
data.
Sales report by region and
Ticket sales on a band venue. It gives information which
Example
on tour. venue is profitable for that
business.
Data alone has no Information is significant by
Significance
signifiance. itself.
Data is based on Information is considered more
Meaning records and reliable than data. It helps the
observations and, which researcher to conduct a proper
 Parameters Data Information
are stored in computers analysis.
or remembered by a
person.
The data collected by Information is useful and
Usefulness the researcher, may or valuable as it is readily available
may not be useful. to the researcher for use.
Information is always specific to
the requirements and
Data is never designed
expectations because all the
Dependency to the specific need of
irrelevant facts and figures are
the user.
removed, during the
transformation process.

DIKW (Data Information

Knowledge Wisdom)
DIKW is the model used for discussion of data,
information, knowledge, wisdom and their
interrelationships. It represents structural or
functional relationships between data, information,
knowledge, and wisdom.
Example: