CAPE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Unit 1 Information technology theory Module 3 Information and problem-solving CAPE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Objective 3: Describe the role of information in the solution of real-life problems.

Identification of information required in solving problems…(1) There is no doubt that improvements in information and communication technologies have narrowed the information gap between the rich and poor sections of the world. Information, which used to be available only in the rich world, is now more likely to be available in the developing world as well. For an individual, an organization, or a country to be successful in this new world order, it is imperative that one be able to analyze real life problems not only in terms of the purely physical resources required for its solution, but also in terms of the information necessary.

Identification of information required in solving problems…(2) An example may illustrate the point. A successful exporter of sauces, jellies and condiments in one of the Caribbean territories had discovered that there was a much larger demand for the guava jelly than the exporter could meet. At first sight, this might seem like a simple supply problem. It might seem that there simply were not enough guavas available to produce jelly in the required quantities. However, a little probing showed this preliminary analysis to be incorrect. It turned out that the exporter sourced his guavas by sending persons to the various markets in the territory to buy up all the guavas they could find.

Identification of information required in solving problems…(3) Clearly, this was not the most efficient way of ensuring a steady supply of the fruit. It would have been much better if sellers of guavas were aware of the exporter's need for their fruit or, alternatively, if the exporter knew which producers might have guavas for sale. In other words, the supply problem arose not because there were not enough guavas available; it arose because the exporter did not know where to find them. Thus, what might have seemed to have been a supply problem was in fact an information problem.

Identification of information required in solving problems…(4) An important criterion to getting information (i.e. correct information) is research. Yes, research is an intimidating or even fearful concept, but you should realize that you are engaged in research in many of your day-to-day activities. For example, finding out the time of the day, the location of the next class or looking up a number in a telephone directory are all examples of simple research. It is therefore essential to identify information necessary to solve personal, commercial, scientific and social problems.

Categorization of information in solving problems In the solution of a problem, information can be categorized as: Category Synonyms Essential crucial, vital, important, necessary, needed, required Desirable wanted, useful, advantageous Extraneous irrelevant, inappropriate, unrelated Cosmetic superficial, made-up, aesthetic