 DEFINITION  Data are raw facts and figures relating to people, places, things and events.  CHARACTERISTICS  Unprocessed, unorganized and discrete (in separate, unrelated chunks).  Qualitative (opinion-based, subjective).  Quantitative (measurement-based, objective).  Detailed.  Sampled.

 DEFINITION  Information is data that have been converted into a meaningful and useful context for use by specific users.  CHARACTERISTICS  Information can be classified according to its content. For example, one can distinguish between factual information, simply describing a single idea which is (perceived to be) true; or analytical, usually based on an analysis of a number of facts.  An alternative distinction is between subjective information (i.e. based on an individual's opinion), or objective (i.e. rooted in fact).

 CHARACTERISTICS  Another important aspect of information is timeliness. Information which is true (and relevant) at one point in time, might lose its truth or relevance at another point in time. For example, population statistics that were accurate in 2007 are no longer accurate in  However, perhaps the most important characteristic of information is reliability. Not everything that is presented as information is true and/or believable. It is important that you become aware that not everything you read is true.

 CHARACTERISTICS  It is also important that you become aware of information as a commodity. Information can be sold and bought. Moreover, information is often owned by some individual or organization. Also, this brings out a number of issues to do with ethical and legal implications of the use of information technology. For example, issues to do with confidentiality and security are important considerations in this context.

 CHARACTERISTICS  Distortion. Did the form or quality change during communication or transmission? e.g. blurred faxes, breakups during telephone conversations, misrepresented or incomplete facts (through the ‘grapevine’ or gossip).  Disguise. Is it clear or unambiguous? e.g. misrepresented facts and statements (through the ‘grapevine’ or gossip).  Reliability. Is the source or method of transmission reliable? Is the source credible or truthful? e.g. novice/expert, textbook/Internet, experienced/inexperienced, news broadcast/personal knowledge/hearsay.

 CHARACTERISTICS  Inconsistency. Is the final form similar to or means the same as its original form? Is it complete? e.g. omitted facts, distortion.  Incomprehensibility. Is it clear? Is it easy to understand?  Subject to interpretation. Is the source/target objective or subjective? Do you understand it or know what it means?  Value. Is it important and useful? Is it truthful?  Relevance. Is it significant? Is it applicable? Is it current?  Confidentiality. Is it classified? Is it private or public? e.g. personal health, a country’s state of affairs.  Timeliness. Is it immediate? Is it current? Is it applicable? Can it be accessed quickly?

 CHARACTERISTICS  Completeness. Does it contain all the facts? Is it up- to-date?  Security. Is it secure? Can it be altered, eavesdropped on, diverted, or stolen? e.g. banking records, credit/debit card details, s, telephone conversations.  Shareability. Can it be shared? Can it be retransmitted or reprinted? Is it private or public?  Availability. Is it easily accessible? Is it available 24/7?  Lifespan. Can it become outdated? It is still relevant tomorrow, next week, next year?

 CHARACTERISTICS  Information as a commodity. Can it be bought or sold? e.g. credit history, health records, business secrets.  Format. e.g. text, audio, tables, charts or graphs, graphics/pictures, motion.  Medium. e.g. textbooks/magazines, Internet, television/radio, CD/DVD, blogs/wikis.

 Information can be classified by it structure as follows:  Unstructured. It cannot be specified in advance to inform decision as it is ad hoc, unscheduled, summarized, infrequent, forward looking, external or has a wide scope. e.g. technological, economical, environmental and human factors and their impact on new initiatives.  Semi-structured. It can be pre-specified, or otherwise, but not enough to lead to a definite recommended decision; e.g. budgets.  Structured. It can be specified in advance when a decision is needed as it pre-specified, scheduled, detailed, frequent, historical, internal and has a narrow focus. e.g. inventory control.

 Information can be classified by its nature as follows:  Strategic. A wide range of unstructured information that is used by executives and directors in planning the company’s way forward and its future state in the long term; e.g. company mission/goals/objectives, strategies and policies.  Tactical. A medium range of semi-structured information used by managers in planning for the branch/department in the short-to-medium term; e.g. budgets and production schedules.  Operational. A narrow range of structured information used by operation managers/supervisors in planning for the department in the short term; e.g. daily/weekly production schedules.