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Data

raw facts and figures

alphanumeric characters - text, symbols & letters

data has no meaning

eg - 135/75, 130/75 & 120/60

Information

data that's been processed by a computer

what the computer outputs

info has context. it makes it meaningful

eg - reading time (9-11) & patients BP

context = patients blood pressure readings

specified times have been inputed into a table

Knowledge

derived from information by applying rules

decisions can now be made

eg - a doctor can use this information to decide whether or not the patient needs medication

Difference

information is based on facts

knowledge is based on rules

these rules are based on probabilities, not certainties

Why Encode Data

less hard disk space required

fewer transcription errors

faster to type in

greater consistency of data

Coding Data

changing original data into a shortened version

helps to store into a computer

eg - january, february, march = jan, feb, mar

eg - male, female = m, f

Problems of Coding Data

when data is encoded, the precision may be coarsened through value judgements

eg - stating an eye colour for a passport application - eyes could be bluey green whereas the options are blue, green & browns - there aren't enough categories

limited choice in a value list

eg - if asking a question such as "do you like a tv program? excellent or rubbish." you may like it sometimes, but hate it other times - only allows you to choose 1 category

Data, Information & Knowledge

Encoding Data & Value Judgements