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Lesson 2 - Data and Information

The document discusses the distinction between data and information, emphasizing that data consists of raw facts without context, while information is processed data that provides meaning. It outlines the properties of good information, which include accuracy, completeness, relevance, and timeliness, among others. Additionally, it highlights the importance of analyzing and organizing data to derive valuable insights for decision-making.

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10 views

Lesson 2 - Data and Information

The document discusses the distinction between data and information, emphasizing that data consists of raw facts without context, while information is processed data that provides meaning. It outlines the properties of good information, which include accuracy, completeness, relevance, and timeliness, among others. Additionally, it highlights the importance of analyzing and organizing data to derive valuable insights for decision-making.

Uploaded by

bandatakondwa51
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Management Information Systems

(CIT-MIS-215)

Data and Information


Presented By:
Wongani J Mhango
Computer Science and Information Systems Department
MUBAS

:265 (0) 884 824 093 :[email protected]


Data and Information
 Systems convert data into information. Hence they are fundamental
concepts in information systems.
 Many daily activities either involve the use of or depend on
information from computer technology.
Example
 As shown in Figure below, for example, computers at the till in a
supermarket collect data of the items that are being bought and
process various calculations to print out information in the form of a
receipt.
What is Data?
 This refers to raw facts, figures, and symbols that have no meaning on
their own without context.
 Data can come in the form of text, observations, figures, images,
numbers, graphs, or symbols.
 For example, data might include individual prices, weights, addresses,
ages, names, temperatures, dates, or distances.
Data (Cont’d)
 Data is a raw form of knowledge and, on its own, doesn’t carry any
significance or purpose.
 Data can be simple, and may even seem useless until it is analyzed,
organized, and interpreted.
 There are two main types of data:
­ Quantitative data is provided in numerical form, e.g. weight, volume, or cost
of an item.
­ Qualitative data is descriptive, but non-numerical, e.g. name, sex, or color.
What is Information?
 Information is processed data that has been organized, structured, and
presented in a meaningful context.
 It is a result of analyzing and interpreting pieces of data.
 Information is knowledge gained through study, communication,
research, or instruction.
The Key Differences
• Data is a collection of facts, while information puts those facts into
context.
• While data is raw and unorganized, information is organized.
• Data points are individual and sometimes unrelated. Information maps
out that data to provide a big-picture view of how it all fits together.
• Data, on its own, is meaningless. When it’s analyzed and interpreted, it
becomes meaningful information.
Key Differences (Cont’d)
• Data does not depend on information; however, information depends
on data.
• Data typically comes in the form of graphs, numbers, figures, or
statistics. Information is typically presented through words, language,
thoughts, and ideas.
• Data isn’t sufficient for decision-making, but you can make decisions
based on information.
Examples
 Consider a dataset comprising temperature readings in a specific location
spanning several years. Without additional context, these temperatures
lack significance. Yet, through analysis and organization of this data, one
can discern seasonal temperature patterns or even broader climate trends.
It's only when the data is methodically organized and compiled in a
meaningful manner that it can yield valuable insights beneficial to others.
 A single customer's response to an individual customer service survey
represents a single data point. However, when you aggregate that
customer's responses over time, and furthermore, combine responses from
multiple customers over time, you can gain valuable insights into areas
for improvement within your customer service team on a larger scale.
Properties of Good Information
 Properties of good quality information can be defined as an acronym
ACCURATE.
 These characteristics are interrelated; focus on one automatically leads
to focus on other.
• ACCURATE
• COMPLETE
• COST-BENEFICIAL
• USER-TARGETED
• RELEVANT
• AUTHORITATIVE
• TIMELY
• EASY TO USE
Properties (cont’d)
 Accurate
­ Accurate information is error free. Sometimes inaccurate information is generated
because inaccurate data is fed into the system. Garbage In Garbage Out(GIGO).
­ Information should be fair and free from bias.
­ It should not have any arithmetical and grammatical errors.
­ Users of the information should be told if assumptions have been made.
 Complete
­ Accuracy of information is just not enough. It should also be complete which means
facts and figures should not be missing or concealed. Telling the truth but not
wholly is of no use.
­ No missing gaps. E.g an investment report that does not include all import costs is
not complete.
Properties (cont’d)
 Cost-beneficial
­ Information should be analysed for its benefits against the cost of obtaining it.
­ The information should be worthwhile. Data and information costs a lot of
money to collect, process, analyse and report, hence the benefits must
outweigh the costs
­ In business context, it is not worthwhile to spend money on information that
even cannot recover its costs leading to loss each time that information is
obtained.
­ In other contexts, such as hospitals it would be useful to get information even
it has no financial benefits due to the nature of the business and expectations
of society from it.
Properties (cont’d)
 User-targeted
­ Information should be communicated in the style, format, detail and
complexity which address the needs of users of the information.
­ Example senior managers need brief reports which enable them to understand
the position and performance of the business at a glance, while operational
managers need detailed information which enable them to make day to day
decisions.
Properties (cont’d)
 Relevant
­ Information should be relevant to the current task at hand or the decision being
made.
­ Relevant information is important to the decision maker.
 Authoritative
­ Information should come from reliable source. It should come from person
with some sort of authority, or is qualified to provide that information.
­ It depends on qualifications and experience of the person communicating the
information.
Properties (cont’d)
 Timely
­ Information should be available when needed.
­ Timely information can be acted upon promptly.
­ Information should be communicated in time so that receiver of the
information has enough time to decide appropriate actions based on the
information received.
END

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