Data, Information & Knowledge 1

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Data

Data are raw facts and figures that on their own have no meaning
These can be any alphanumeric characters i.e. text, numbers, symbols
Note the are bit above? What does this mean?
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Data Examples

Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes 42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86 111192, 111234
None of the above data sets have any meaning until they are given a CONTEXT and PROCESSED into a useable form
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Data Into Information

To achieve its aims the organisation will need to process data into information. Data needs to be turned into meaningful information and presented in its most useful format Data must be processed in a context in order to give it meaning

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Information

Data that has been processed within a context to give it meaning OR

Data that has been processed into a form that gives it meaning
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Examples

In the next 3 examples explain how the data could be processed to give it meaning
What information can then be derived from the data?
Suggested answers are given at the end of this presentation
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Example 1
Raw Data
Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, Yes

Context
Processing

Responses to the market research question Would you buy brand x at price y?

Information

???

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Example 2
Raw Data
42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86

Context
Processing

Jaynes scores in the six AS/A2 ICT modules

Information

???

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Example 3
Raw Data
111192, 111234

Context
Processing

The previous and current readings of a customers gas meter

Information

???

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Exam Tip

Youll nearly always be asked to give examples of data processed into information
Dont use:

Traffic lights Dates of birth

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Knowledge

Knowledge is the understanding of rules needed to interpret information

the capability of understanding the relationship between pieces of information and what to actually do with the information
Debbie Jones www.teach-ict.com

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Knowledge Examples

Using the 3 previous examples:

A Marketing Manager could use this information to decide whether or not to raise or lower price y

Jaynes teacher could analyse the results to determine whether it would be worth her re-sitting a module
Looking at the pattern of the customers previous gas bills may identify that the figure is abnormally low and they are fiddling the gas meter!!!

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Knowledge Workers

Knowledge workers have specialist knowledge that makes them experts

learned through training and experience

Based on formal and informal rules they have

Examples include doctors, managers, librarians, scientists

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Expert Systems

Because many rules are based on probabilities computers can be programmed with subject knowledge to mimic the role of experts One of the most common uses of expert systems is in medicine

The ONCOLOG system shown here analyses patient data to provide a reference for doctors, and help for the choice, prescription and follow-up of chemotherapy

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Summary

Information

Data

Context

Meaning

Data raw facts and figures

Processing

Information data that has been processed (in a context) to give it meaning

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Revision Tasks

Use the Teach-ICT mini site to make your own notes on the differences between data, knowledge and information

http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2/topics/data_info_know/datainfo/index.htm

Try questions 1-6 on this worksheet

http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2/topics/data_info_know/data_worksheet.doc

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Suggested answers to examples

Example 1

We could add up the yes and no responses and calculate the percentage of customers who would buy product X at price Y. The information could be presented as a chart to make it easier to understand. Adding Jaynes scores would give us a mark out of 600 that could then be converted to an A level grade. Alternatively we could convert the individual module results into grades. By subtracting the second value from the first we can work out how many units of gas the consumer has used. This can then be multiplied by the price per unit to determine the customers gas bill.

Example 2

Example 3

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