Data, Information, Knowledge & Processing

Data, Information & Knowledge
1. Data
  1. Raw facts and figures with no meaning.
  2. e.g. 180596
2. Information
  1. Information = Data + [Structure] + [Context] + [Meaning]
    1. Structure - how the data is presented.
      1. e.g. 18/05/96 is a UK date.
    2. Context - an environment where our prior knowledge and understanding can make sense of the data.
      1. e.g. 180596 is a birthday.
    3. Meaning - data in the correct structure and within the context.
      1. e.g. 18/05/96 is my birthday.
  2. Processed data.
3. Knowledge
  1. The application of information to a situation.
4. Information vs. Knowledge
  1. Information based on facts. Knowledge is opinion.
  2. Information can be quantified and judged against. Knowledge can be quantified with success criteria.
Representation Methods
1. Text
  1. Advantages
    1. Clear to understand.
    2. Lots of detail.
  2. Weaknesses
    1. Need to be able to read.
    2. Not multilingual.
    3. Lots cannot be read quickly.
    4. Level of language can be confusing.
2. Graphics
  1. Advantages
    1. Multilingual.
    2. Can match what you see - physical shapes.
  2. Weaknesses
    1. Need to know symbols.
    2. Symbols are not universal.
3. Sound
  1. Advantages
    1. No fixed position.
    2. No line of sight required.
    3. Good for visually impaired.
  2. Weaknesses
    1. Not good in large areas.
    2. Usually language based.
    3. Need to be able to hear.
4. Moving Pictures
  1. Advantages
    1. Lots of info conveyed.
    2. Not language dependent.
    3. Can exemplify text.
  2. Weaknesses
    1. Linear - if you miss the beginning you may not understand.
    2. Problems if sound attached.
5. LED
  1. Advantages
    1. Can allow data to be kept secure.
    2. Can be used in noisy places.
    3. Similar to graphics.
  2. Weaknesses
    1. Need line of sight.
    2. Combinations need to be known to be understood.
Data Types
1. Boolean
  1. Can contain 1 of 2 values.
  2. e.g. Yes/No
2. Real
  1. Numbers with decimal places.
  2. e.g. 12.3
3. Integer
  1. Whole numbers.
  2. e.g. 123
4. Text/String
  1. Alphanumeric characters.
  2. e.g. ME2 3QZ or "Hello".
5. Date/Time
  1. Contains numbers and letters, which depending on the format display the date/time to different degrees of accuracy.
  2. e.g. 1996
Sources of Data
1. Indirect vs. Direct
  1. Indirect
    1. Data used for purpose other than what it was originally collected for.
    2. Data collected by a separate party.
    3. Advantages
      1. Large range of data available which couldn't be collected directly.
      2. Data available from different locations and time periods.
      3. Analysis might have already been completed on some data.
    4. Weaknesses
      1. Don't know if bias placed on collection.
      2. Can't be certain of accuracy of recording.
      3. May not have all info on how and when collected to make a valued opinion on usefulness.
      4. Info may not have been originally collected and so are unable to get hold of it.
  2. Direct
    1. Data collected from an original source.
    2. Advantages
      1. Source and collection method is known and verified.
      2. Exact data required can be collected.
      3. Data collected can change in response to answers.
    3. Weaknesses
      1. May not get large range of data.
      2. Data may be unavailable - location/time.
2. Static vs. Dynamic
  1. Static
    1. Once created data does not change.
    2. e.g. CD ROM
  2. Dynamic
    1. Information is able to be updated.
    2. e.g. Websites
  3. CD ROMs vs Websites
    1. CD ROMs
      1. Advantages
        Does not require internet access.
        More reliable source of information.
      2. Weaknesses
        In a single location.
        Limited amount of info available.
        Data cannot be updated very quickly.
        Can be scratched or broken.
    2. Websites
      1. Advantages
        Large volume of info.
        Updated quickly.
        Same web resource can be accessed from anywhere if address is known.
        Accessible 24/7.
      2. Weaknesses
        Info is not always reliable.
        Need internet access.
        Need correct browser software.
Quality of Information
1. Accuracy
  1. If inaccurate you cannot rely on information, lower quality.
2. Relevance
  1. If irrelevant it can't be used for that topic, lower quality.
3. Age
  1. Information can change over time, old information has lower quality.
4. Completeness
  1. If only part of the information it cannot be used, lower quality.
5. Presentation
  1. If can't understand layout, lower quality.
6. Level of Detail
  1. If too much information is given it takes too long to find necessary info, lower quality.
  2. If not enough info is given wont have enough to make a decision, lower quality.
Encoding Data
1. Taking the original data and storing it in a different representation.
2. Advantages
  1. Lower memory requirements.
  2. Quicker to input.
  3. Can apply validation.
3. Weaknesses
  1. Need to know code.
Validation Methods
1. Range check
  1. Upper and lower bound.
2. Type check
  1. Presence check.
3. Length check
  1. Set number of characters.
4. Lookup check
  1. Compares value against list of valuesin a different table.
5. Picture check
  1. Format can be checked e.g. LLNNLL for letters and numbers.
6. Check digit
  1. Calculated set of numbers and added to the end of them.
Verification Methods
1. Double entry
  1. Enter data twice, data is compared to previous.
2. Manual verification
  1. Visually compacring data with source document.
Archiving and Back Ups
1. Back ups keep a copy of the current data.
2. Archiving is for long term storage that isn't required immediately.
Cost of Production
1. Hardware
  1. Printers, monitors, etc.
2. Software
  1. Licenses, operating systems, utilities, etc.
3. Personnel
  1. Staff wages.
Feedback Loop
1. Input - taking info external to system and entering into system.
2. Processing - action performed on data.
3. Storage - where data is held.
4. Output - taking info from out of the system.
5. Feedback - output forms part of input to the system.

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Data, Information, Knowledge & Processing

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	Created by smita089 about 11 years ago