Andrew C. Samuels, Information Technology Specialist Trainer c/o Ministry of Education Mona High School, Kingston, Jamaica 1 Unit 1 Module 3 Specific Objective: explain the characteristics of data and information; Content: Definition of terms; examples. Data: include unprocessed, unorganised and discrete (in separate, unrelated chunks), qualitative (opinion-based, subjective) or quantitative (measurement-based, objective), detailed or sampled. Information: including distortion, disguise, reliability, inconsistency, incomprehensibility, subject to interpretation, value, relevance, confidentiality, timeliness, completeness, security, shareability, availability, lifespan, information as a commodity, format and medium; Nature and structure of information: strategic, tactical, operational; structured, semi-structured and unstructured.

What is Data? Data set of values of qualitative or quantitative variables; restated, pieces of data are individual pieces of information. Data in computing (or data processing) is represented in a structure that is often tabular (represented by rows and columns), a tree (a set of nodes with parent-children relationship), or a graph (a set of connected nodes). Data is typically the result of measurements and can be visualized using graphs or images. Data as an abstract concept can be viewed as the lowest level of abstraction, from which information and then knowledge are derived.

Detailed/Sample Data Detailed Data every instance of the data is recorded. Recording the # of chairs in each classroom.

Information Information (shortened as info or info.) is that which informs, i.e. that from which data can be derived. Information is conveyed either as the content of a message or through direct or indirect observation of some thing. That which is perceived can be construed as a message in its own right, and in that sense, information is always conveyed as the content of a message. Information can be encoded into various forms for transmission and interpretation. For example, information may be encoded into signs, and transmitted via signals.

Characteristics of information Distortion This is when unauthorised change has been made to cause confusion or to mislead individuals in info. stored. Due to this, a new meaning can be acquired. Disguise This characteristic is when one purposely hide true info. with factious info. Reliability This speaks to how dependable or how truthful is your information. Inconsistency This characteristics is to ensure that data follows a particular pattern or theory. Incomprehensibility Information provided is not easily understood, if ever at all. subject to interpretation – Information presented is understood by different people in different ways. Value The returned benefit gained from accessing and using information. Relevance When information pertains to the subject matter at hand. Confidentiality – secretiveness of information stored. The whole idea of privacy to information stored being sensitive information. Timeliness – access to information within a specified period for use or access. i.e. General Elections. Completeness – having all relevant information at the time needed. Security – the ability to protect information stored or being collected. i.e password, firewall, encryption, cryptopograhy, virus protection (malware, phishing, pharming, etc.), misuse of information. Shareability – how information can be accessed/retrieved/shared/communication, etc. to persons of interest. Availability – access granted to information and how easily is this made possible. Lifespan – how long the information last. How long can the information support decision making. E.g. IDs information as a commodity – when information is used to add value to goods and services. format – is how information is presented. i.e. tables, columns, graphs, charts, pictures, etc. and medium – place on which information is displayed;

Nature and structure of information: strategic, tactical, operational; Operational This information is collected at the lowest level or the front line of the organization. Day-to-day recording of data for every instance it happens/occur. Operational information focuses on the day to day activities taken place in the organization that is vital in its existence and function. Tactical Middle level use of information to develop to arrive at some summary of the information to look at short range decision making and assess intermediate performance of the organization. Strategic This has to deal with the top level use of information, effectiveness, long term plan and using information to position the self or organization at an advantage point.

Nature and structure of information: structured, semi-structured and unstructured. Structured information refers to those that includes a relational database, a seem less and readily searchable by simple, straight forward search engine, algorithms or other search operations. Data mining tools can easily process the information usually in files and are uses columns and rows. Set format to data being stored. Census records, economic data, sharing pics or videos on FB or other social media, Yellow pages phone book, etc. Semi-structured information is one that maybe irregular or incomplete and have a structure that change rapidly or unpredictably. General has some structure does not conform to a fixed schema. These information are schema less and self describing. Unstructured information refers to information that either does not have a pre-defined data model or is not organized in a predefined manner. Unstructured information is typically text heavy but may contain data such as date, numbers and facts as well.