ICT Techniques Data to Information

Data – the raw, unprocessed facts that passes through a series of operational steps to become useful and meaningful information. Information – when data is manipulated by the computer’s processor into a meaningful useful form.

Data to Information (cont…) Computers have four key functions. Input Output Processing Storage

Formats of data TEXT – data made up of characters or a combination of characters and numbers NUMERIC – data made up of numbers only AUDIOVISUAL – data made up of graphics, sound or video PHYSICAL – stimuli such as light and temperature…

GIGO

Characteristics of data Data can be obtained from a variety of sources Primary data sources – are first hand sources where data is obtained from surveys, interviews, letters, direct observation and electronic mail. Secondary data sources – gather data through the published or available work of others i.e. dta published in magazines, newspapers, and books or electronic sources, such as CD- ROMs, the Internet and on-line services.

Characteristics of data (cont…) Suitability – data collected for input needs to meet correct format requirements e.g. 5 hours or 300 minutes. Reliability – valuable data that gives the ‘right’ results. Unreliable data could give the wrong slant or could cause inappropriate decisions to be made. Some information on the www is personal opinion with some eccentric points of views. Accuracy – data must be error free. Data can be misread (transcription errors) e.g. 90 may be entered instead of 900 Timeliness – data must be processed while it is current. Important decisions should not rely on outdated data. E.g. a decision to buy or sell shares should not be based on prices that are two or more weeks old. To produce valuable information we need to use data that has the following qualities:

Characteristics of data (cont…) Freedom from bias – A number of influences can result in the introduction of bias into your data: –Vested interest e.g. surveying ‘Should we increase old age pension’ in a retirement village. –Timing e.g. if before you survey the people on ‘capital punishment’ a terrible murder is described in the media. –Small sample size e.g. gathering data over 4 days to determine average leads to bias results as they may happen to be the 4 quietest days of the year.

Characteristics of Information Relevant – should be appropriate for the document so that it is not misleading Accurate – Information must be correct. Incorrect information will lead to the wrong decisions being made or problems will remain unsolved. Complete - means that all the relevant information is included. Timely – means that data used to produce information was updated recently enough to be of help to the user and was delivered on time. Information is produced from data. Effective decision making is predicated on information processing certain qualities:

Unbiased information - biased output will effect the appropriateness of decisions made. This means that the process is carefully designed. You need to avoid situations that can lead to biased interpretation such as ; bias through sorting, or use of biased graphics. Clarity of the message – ensures that an information product is easy to read and that the user has the best opportunity to understand the message clearly. Characteristics of Information (cont…)