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Data Information Knowledge 1

This document discusses the differences between data, information, and knowledge. It defines data as raw facts and figures that have no meaning on their own. Information is defined as data that has been given meaning by context. Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to make decisions. The document provides examples to illustrate these differences. It also discusses topics such as sources of data, coding of data, and costs of producing information.

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Farhan Sheikh Muhammad
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44 views24 pages

Data Information Knowledge 1

This document discusses the differences between data, information, and knowledge. It defines data as raw facts and figures that have no meaning on their own. Information is defined as data that has been given meaning by context. Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to make decisions. The document provides examples to illustrate these differences. It also discusses topics such as sources of data, coding of data, and costs of producing information.

Uploaded by

Farhan Sheikh Muhammad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Data, Information, and Knowledge

 
Data

 Raw facts and figures


 Letters, numbers, combination of both
letters and numbers
 Values which on their own have no
meaning

 
Examples of Data

 150170
 English
 23
 1066

The above data has no meaning


  Context
Information

 Data which is given meaning by its


context
 Processed into a form which is useful
to the user

 
Formula for Information

Information Data + Context

 
Examples of Information

 Lisa’s date of birth is 15/01/70


 The exam is through the medium of English
 Only 23 days until payment is required
 The computer costs £1066

The above phrases have meaning


 
Information (Data + Context)

 Lisa’s date of birth is 15/01/70


 The exam is through the medium of English
 Only 23 days until payment is required
 The computer costs £1066

The above phrases have meaning


  Data
Knowledge

 Derived from information by


applying rules to it
 Decisions can be made if you can
apply knowledge to the information

 
Knowledge

Knowledge is the result of interpreting


information
“We need to order more ink cartridges for the
printer” may be the knowledge acquired after
counting the number of unused cartridges left
We use knowledge to build up sets of rules:
“It is promising snow and ice next week so we
need to place a larger order for de-icer and
anti-freeze.”

 
Difference Between Information and Knowledge

Information is based on facts

Knowledge is based on rules, and these


rules are based on probabilities, not
certainties

High atmospheric pressure is information. Weather


forecasters interpret this information eg high pressure
means settled weather

 
Value Judgements
The weights of 9 pupils in year 12 are listed below:

Robert 11st 6lb Sam 9st 9lb Nia 10st 9lb


Huw 10st 7lb Sara 7st 5lb Katie 8st
Mari 9st 1lb David 14st 4lb Joe 12st 2lb
Draw a table with the following headings and put each person in the
correct category:
Underweight Average Overweight

Compare
  your results!
Value Judgements (use white board pen)

Underweight Average Overweight

 
Sources of Data

Data gathered from source


Data gathered indirectly
Data passed on/purchased
Data from data set

 
Data Gathered from Source

Collected as part of a transaction


Loyalty card

Collected in a survey
recorded on an OMR form
recorded in an interview or questionnaire

Collected by sampling
Data from sensors eg weather station, traffic statistics

 
Data Gathered Indirectly

Data used for a purpose different to that


for which it was originally collected
a credit card firm uses data about each transaction to
bill the customer. If the data is then used to find out
about their spending habits to send them focused
adverts, then this is using the data indirectly.

 
Data Passed On/Purchased

Data Passed on/Purchased


these are methods of acquiring the data, and
the data then being used in a method different
to that originally intended

 
Data from Data Sets

Data produced by the processing of source


data
• the source data from a supermarket might be the
number of cans of Baked Beans at the beginning of
the month and the number at the end.
• the result of processing is the number sold during the
month
Archives
Using previously collected data eg the names and
addresses of people who attended an IT course

 
Effect of Quality of Data Source on Information Produced

Unreliable Questionnaires
If the wrong individual is asked then the data, though
accurate, cannot be relied upon eg asking a vegetarian
his/her views on meat.
Incomplete Data
Goods can leave a store in many different ways - the
main one being sales recorded by bar code readers. If
management relied upon this data alone then the
information would be inaccurate. Goods are also stolen
or damaged.

 
Effect of Quality of Data Source on Information Produced

GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out)


If the data source is incorrect, then the resulting information
will be incorrect
Factors affecting the quality of the data include:
• Relevance (if the information is not relevant)
• Age (if the information is out of date)
• Completeness (if some of the information is missing)
• Presentation (if the information cannot be found
because of the way it has been presented)
• Level of Detail (Too much or too little detail - both have
an effect)
 
Coding of Data

Changing the original data into a


shortened version in order to store it in
the computer
storing months of the year as Jan, Feb, Mar
storing male and female as M and F

 
Problems of Coding Data

Data not necessarily precise


eg Hair colour which is light brown coded as brown
The user needs to know the codes
If the user is not aware of the codes then he/she cannot
interpret the data

 
Benefits of Coding Data

Less storage space required


If Tue is stored instead of Tuesday then less storage space
required
Searches can be quicker and more precise
As less data is being stored it is faster to search and to make
comparisons between pieces of data
Easier validation
With a limited number of codes it is easier to match them
against rules and make sure that only codes that exist are
entered
Can be easier to remember
Short codes can be easier to remember than full names
 
Costs of Producing Information

Hardware
• To collect, process and output the data
• Storage space to hold the data
• Purchas and maintain equipment
Software
• Required to store and process data
• Software licences and maintenance agreements
Manpower
• People employed to collect, enter and maintain data
• Staff training
• People required to analyse and prepare reports on data
 
Information as a Commodity

Information is used for a variety of purposes:


• Decision Making
• Planning
• Control
• Recording Transactions
• Measuring Performance
Costs must not outweigh the benefits
the greater the benefit the higher the cost you will be
prepared to pay

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