Data, Information and Knowledge

What is data? Definition: Data are raw facts and figures, it does not have any meaning until it is processed and turned into something useful. Data comes in many forms, the main ones being letters, numbers and symbols but also images and sounds. Examples of data: 9:00, 160/95, 10:00, 155/92, 11:00, 130/90; 0.14, 0.17, 0.20; AAB. They have no specific meaning or application. This is because they are examples of data.

What is information? Definition: Information is data that has been processed by the computer(in a context) to give it meaning Examples of information: DATA INFORMATION 0.14, 0.17, 0.20 0.14s, 0.17s, 0.20s – times of a race 9:00, 160/95, 10:00, 155/92, 11:00, 130/90; Patients blood pressure readings AAB AAB – your AS results

Examples of processing Sorting data Organising data - tabulating or charting data Performing calculations

What is knowledge? Definition: Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to it. You use knowledge to make decisions. Examples of knowledge: DATA INFORMATION KNOWLEDGE 0.14, 0.17, 0.20 0.14s, 0.17s, 0.20s – times of a race Decide who wins the race. The rule is who has the fastest time. 9:00, 160/95, 10:00, 155/92, 11:00, 130/70; Patients blood pressure readings Doctor knows what levels are acceptable and take appropriate action. AAB AAB – your AS results Decide what you need to resist to get better grades. The rule being to resit the lowest grade.

Example A Data – 250 is DATA because it has no meaning and has no use as it has not been given context/processed to make it useful. Information - £250 on a bank statement is INFORMATION as it is meaningful. Knowledge – Deciding not to buy a new phone as you have not got enough money. The rule being you need at least £500 pound. This is KNOWLEDGE.

Example b Data – 10, 12, 14 Information – Supermarket A sells blenders for £10 each, supermarket b sells blenders for £12 each and supermarket C sells blenders for £14 each. Knowledge – Deciding to buy a blender from supermarket A, The rule being you wanted to buy the cheapest blender.

An example of data is 9:00, 160/95, 10:00, 155/92, 11:00, 130/90; (1) Data consists of raw facts and figures. (1) Information is data which has been processed by the computer(in a context) to give it meaning. (1) Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to it. (1)   An example of data is 9:00, 160/95, 10:00, 155/92, 11:00, 130/90; (1) To render this data as information, it first must be given a context, e.g. medical – a patient’s blood pressure readings. (1) (1)   The doctor can now apply knowledge to this table of information. The doctor can draw conclusions about the patient’s health and take appropriate actions. (1) Reading time Patient’s BP 9:00 160/95 10:00 155/92 11:00 130/90