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Concept

The document defines key terms like data, information, knowledge, metadata, and operative data. It explains that data becomes information when meaning is assigned, and knowledge resides in the human mind based on experience and interaction. An example is given of how numbers transform from data to information to knowledge when analyzed and used to take action.

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23 views

Concept

The document defines key terms like data, information, knowledge, metadata, and operative data. It explains that data becomes information when meaning is assigned, and knowledge resides in the human mind based on experience and interaction. An example is given of how numbers transform from data to information to knowledge when analyzed and used to take action.

Uploaded by

quasideus19
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CONCEPT

Definition of Data

Data are facts that can be distinguished. They may be composed of well-formed models or terms.

Data are factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for
reasoning, discussion, or calculation

Source: marketbusinessnews.com

Types of Data

© 2023 Athena Global Education. All Rights Reserved


Primary data is what we usually mean by data: the content of documents or databases, or
messages transferred over a network, or sensor readings.
Metadata refers to primary data by describing its format, version, status, and so forth.
Metadata is data about data.
Operative Data is a subtype of metadata describing how data is to be used.
Derivative Data is derived from the three above-mentioned data types. It can be used to sort,
organize, or search for patterns in the above-mentioned types of data.

© 2023 Athena Global Education. All Rights Reserved


Definition of Information

Information is well-formed data with meaning. Data must follow syntactical rules. Information
goes beyond that by adding meaning. There is a reference to the “well-formedness” of the
combined data elements because meaning cannot be assigned to terms that violate syntax rules.

Different data can mean the same thing. Vice versa, the same data can mean different things -
if it is interpreted differently. Because information consists of data and assigned meaning, different
data can never be the same information (but can mean the same thing).

Knowledge

“Knowledge is the human expertise stored in a person’s mind, gained through experience
and interaction with the person’s environment”.

This definition provides a link to interaction and experience, and it emphasizes: knowledge resides in
the mind. When knowledge management refers to the organizational dimension of learning,
knowledge must be spread. In the sense of this can only mean converting the knowledge of person A
into information and finally into data. Data can be stored and information re-created by again
assigning meaning and context.

Data, Information, Knowledge, Action

© 2023 Athena Global Education. All Rights Reserved


Information and knowledge are the outcomes of human action that engage signs, signals, and
artifacts in social and physical settings. Knowledge builds on an accumulation of experience.
Information depends on an aggregation of data. The transformation of data into information and
then into knowledge requires a human cognitive effort that results in the perception of structure and
the attribution of meaning and significance. Consider a document containing a table of numbers
indicating product sales for the quarter. As they stand, these numbers are data. An executive reads
these numbers, recognizes the name and nature of the product, and notices that the numbers are
lower than the corresponding figures of the last three quarters, thus indicating a downward trend.
Data has become information. The individual considers possible explanations for the product decline
and concludes that the product is no longer attractive to its customer. This new belief, derived from
reasoning and reflection, is knowledge. Based on this knowledge, the individual may decide to
take some action (such as adding new product features or identifying new markets). In this way,
information is data given context and vested with meaning and significance.

© 2023 Athena Global Education. All Rights Reserved

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