1. Data, Information, Knowledge and Processing
Module 5.1.1
Data, Information, Knowledge and Processing

2. Definition of Data Data is raw facts and figures
Any alphanumeric character
Data consists of raw values that, on their own have no meaning

3. Each of the above pieces of data has no meaning
Examples of Data
301083
FB6RT78
43AB34YT
Each of the above pieces of data has no meaning

4. Definition of Information
Information is processed data that is given meaning by its context
It is data that has been processed into a form that is useful
If a book company recorded each sale – the facts recorded are data.
If they combined them into a monthly sales figure:
That is information

5. Formula for Information=
Data +
Meaning +
Context

6. Example of Information
Data:
This has no meaning or context
Context: It is a US Date
This allows us to recognise it as: 22nd February 1732
It still has no meaning and is therefore not information
Meaning: The Birthday of George Washington
This gives us all the elements required for information

7. Range of Definitions Meaning extracted by humans Message Semantic
Syntactic
Representation methods

8. Representation Methods
Graphically
Numbers are easier to visualise in graphical format
Symbols
Language independent
Universal recognition
Some symbols may have different meanings so care is needed
Some symbols are recognised but their meaning
is not so well known.

9. Semantic
Covers the Meaning for the data – the way that meaning is attached to a statement.
Take the following statement:
"Fruit flies like a banana"
Do small insects prefer a banana
or does fruit glide through the air in a way similar to a banana
Semantic representation of data is of importance when attempting to code data

10. Syntactic Concerning the Rules of the Data Data: 10/12/90
Rules: dd/mm/yy
Gives the date of: 10th December 90
Rules: mm/dd/yy
Gives the date of 12th October 90

11. Semantic and Syntactic
Remember:
Syntactic = Rules
Semantic = Meaning
Learn some examples

12. Definition of Knowledge
Knowledge is the result of interpreting information
“We need more tins of spaghetti hoops” might be the knowledge acquired from interpreting the information given in the stock report.
We use knowledge to build up sets of rules
E.g. It is hotter in July therefore we will sell more ice cream, so we need to increase the order for ice cream in June.

13. Difference Between Information and Knowledge
Information is based on facts
Knowledge is based on rules, and these rules are based on probabilities, not certainties:
Double clicking an icon in Windows will open an application
This is not information as it is not a certainty.
Icons are pictures
This is information not knowledge

14. Concepts and Understanding
“Microsoft Windows 98 is an operating system”
This is information.
To be knowledge you would need to have an understanding of what an operating system is.
The concept of an operating system gives you an understanding of what is meant by the statement.