Chapter 1 - Data, Info, Knowledge & Processing

Chapter 1 - Data, Info, Knowledge & Processing

1. DATA

   • Unprocessed, raw facts and figures that have no meaning
   • Examples
     • Letters-
     • Characters
     • Numbers
     • Symbols
     • Images
     • Lights
     • Sounds

2. HOW DATA BECOMES INFORMATION

   • Structure
     • When data is presented in a particular way
   • Context
     • Conext given to numbers and letters
       • eg -date
       • eg - time
   • Meaning
     • Meaning behind the numbers and letters

3. KNOWLEDGE

   • The application of information to a situation

4. DATA TYPES

   • String
     • Set or list of letters, symbols and characters
   • Interger
     • Whole numbers
   • Real
     • Numbers that include decimal places
   • Date & Time
     • Any dates or time
   • Boolean
     • Can only have one of two values
     • True/False
     • Yes/No

5. QUALITY OF INFO

   • Accuracy
     • Accurate data must be correct
     • not accurate = unreliable
   • GIGO (Garbage In = Garbage Out)
   • Relevance
     • Info must be relevant for the purpose
   • Age
     • Data must be up-to date for purpose of use
   • Completeness
     • All required data must be present
   • Presentation
     • Bad presentation makes it hard to understand
   • Level of detail
     • a combination of relevance and completeness

6. INFORMATION

   • Info = Data + Structure + Context + Meaning

7. ENCODING DATA

   • when data is encoded it is replaced with shorter data. This is because..
     • faster processing time
     • reduced storage
     • improved accuracy
     • improved presentation
   • METHODS
     • Numerical representation
       • when words or descriptions are replaced by numbers
     • Abbreviations
       • replacing words with letters related to them
         • EG : Geography = Geo
     • Value Judgements
       • Used in questionnaires when trying to find out what someone thinks
         • 1-10
         • Gd (good), F (Fair), P(poor)
   • Pros & Cons
     • Pros
     • Cons

8. VALIDATION METHODS

   • Range check
     • Will ensure data is within an acceptable range
   • Type check
     • Checks data is in correct data type
   • Length check
     • Ensures data is a min, max or specific length
   • Picture/Format check
     • Checks data entered matches a particular pattern
   • Presence check
     • Simply ensures some data is entered in a field

9. VERIFICATION METHODS

   • Double entry
     • Asking for data to be entered twice
     • Limits errors
     • EG - Passwords
   • Proof Reading
     • Checking data entered is the same as the original source data

10. COSTS OF PRODUCING INFORMATION

    • Hardware costs
      • Any equipment required to collect or produce information
    • Software costs
      • Softward purchased once and used regularly
      • Maintainence costs to update software
      • Examples
        • Desktop publishing
        • Spreadsheet
        • Word processing
        • Graphics
    • Consumable costs
      • Something that must be replaced once it's used
        • Ink
        • Paper
        • Electricity
        • Bulbs
        • Petrol
    • Personnel costs
      • People are needed to collect and produce info
      • Some may need to be trained
      • Others may be brought in with specific skills

11. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BACKING UP AND ARCHIEVING

    • Backing Up
      • Making a copy of the data
      • Types
        • Tape
        • Re-writable opicatal memory (CD-RW, DVD-RW)
        • Flash memory (USB)
        • Online (Dropbox)
    • Archieving
      • Moving the data rather than copying it

12. METHODS OF CONVEYING INFO

    • Text
      • Explanations can be given
      • Clear meaning
      • Can be read in noise
      • Language barrier
      • Blind people
      • May need supporting image
    • Pictures
      • "Worth a thousand words"
      • No language barrier
      • Viewed even if loud
      • Not everyone knows meaning of signs etc
      • Image cant explain on their own
    • LED
      • Little space needed
      • Use little power
      • Only seen close by
      • Means nothing on its own
    • VIdeos
      • Inc. both sound & video so explanation can be given
      • Moving image makes it clear
      • Requires display screen and speakers
      • Time consuming to produce
      • Cant hear in noisy place
    • Animation
      • No language barrier
      • Conveys meaning effectively
      • Info can be missed
      • No Sound
    • Sound
      • Attention grabbing
      • Don't need to be near display
      • Blind people
      • Deaf people
      • Noisy environment
      • Has to be there to hear sound