Data, Information and Knowledge

Data, Information and Knowledge

1. Data: consists of raw facts and figures. Doesn't have a meaning until it is processed and given context. Alphanumeric (text,numbers,symbols), images and sounds.

   • 55,77,82 Chocolate, Strawberry 14-8-92, 5-05-03

2. Information: data which has been processed within a context in order to give it meaning.

   • INFORMATION = DATA + CONTEXT + MEANING
   • Example:
     • Data: raw data 51,77,58... Could be anything
       • Context: 'Test scores achieved by students'. Makes some sense, data still needs to be processed in order to turn it into information.
         • Processing: calculate average -> (67), so first student did bad as got below average marks.

3. Knowledge: the capability of understanding the relationship between different pieces of information and what to do actually do with the information.

   • Going back to the information example..
     • Knowledge = the class teacher applies the rule "If a score is much lower than average, then I need to discuss with the pupil to see what needs to be done to improve".

Images and files in the map