This document discusses different methods for analyzing data, including (1) the difference between data and information, (2) how data can be searched and sorted, and (3) how charts can be used as analysis tools. It describes exact and wildcard matching for searching text data, sorting data into alphabetical or numerical order, conducting "what-if" analysis in spreadsheets, and how charts and graphs can visually represent trends and relationships in data.

1. Information Processes and
Technology
Analysing

2. In this unit you will
 Learn about the difference between
data and information
 See how data can be searched and
sorted as part of the analysing
process
 Learn about charts as analysing
tools

3. Analysing
 The process by which data can be
represented and summarised so that
humans can better understand it.

6. Data Vs. Information
DATA INFORMATION
Data are raw Information is
facts, items that data that are
have no Meaningful, that
meaning or clear have a clear
purpose purpose

7. Searching for patterns
 A common analysing task is to
search data for particular values or
patterns

8. Searching text data
 When searching text data, an
information system will compare the
text data with the search key
 A search key is the set of text
characters that the analysing
process attempts to find in the
collected data.

9. Searching text data
 There
are two types of data
matching that can be used
 Exact matching
 Wildcard matching

10. Exact matching
 Allthe characters in the search
key must be described before
the search begins.
 The same sequence of
characters must be present in
the text data for the search to
be successful.

11. Exact match search
keyword: manage
 Office management:
The current manager, Mrs. Healey,
has recently returned from a
management conference where she
presented a paper on how to
manage an office staffed by part-
time workers. Her experiences in
this new area of management skills
were well
11

12. Exact match search
keyword: manage
Office management:
The current manager, Mrs. Healey,
has recently returned from a
management conference where she
presented a paper on how to
manage an office staffed by part-
time workers. Her experiences in
this new area of management skills
were well

13. Wildcard matching
 Not all the characters in the
search key have to be described
before the search begins.
 You can replace individual
characters or whole groups of
characters

14. Wildcard matching
 Wildcard matches use the
symbols ‘?’ and ‘*’
to represent other characters.
? means a compulsary value and
indicates the number of letters.

15. Wildcard matching example
 The search key ‘h?t’ can be
used to search for ‘hot’, ‘hit’,
‘hat’ and any three characters
where the first character is ‘h’
and the last character is ‘t’


16. Wildcard matching example
 The ‘*’ wildcard character is used to
represent zero or more additional
characters in the search key.
 It means ‘match the entered text
characters plus any following
characters up to the first space,
punctuation, or non-displayable
character.

17. Wildcard search: Match
manage*
 Office management:
 The current manager, Mrs.
Healey, has recently returned from a
management conference where she
presented a paper on how to
manage an office staffed by part-
time workers. Her experiences in
this new area of management skills
were well
17

18. Wildcard match search
keyword: manage*
Office management:
The current manager, Mrs. Healey,
has recently returned from a
management conference where she
presented a paper on how to
manage an office staffed by part-
time workers. Her experiences in
this new area of management skills
were well

19. Activity: h*t
 The halibut was extremely hot! said
the man with the hat
19

20. Activity: h?t
 The halibut was extremely hot! said
the man with the hat
20

21. Sorting
 Sorting puts data into a set order.
 A useful first step in transforming
collected data into information.
 Imagine a telephone book if the
names were not in alphabetical
order.

22. Sorting
Data Type Ascending Descending
Text A to Z Z to A
Numerical 0 to 9 9 to 0

23. ‘What-if’ analysis
 Allows a user to make temporary
alterations to data to observe the effects
on a model.
 One of the advantages of a spreadsheet
application is its ability to quickly
recalculate a sheet full of equations
whenever a single data item is altered.

24. Charts & Graphs
 Charts and graphs are popular
methods for analysing data.
 They can show relationship, trends
and comparisons at a glance.
 A much faster way to absorb
information than a table full of
figures.

25. Charts & Graphs -
ADVANTAGES
 Impact – the use of colours, symbols and
fill patterns can draw attention to
important details in the data
 Speed - the trends shown in a well-
drawn chart or graph can be very obvious
 Simplicity – almost anyone can
understand a message displayed in a
chart or graph, where the same message
would be lost in rows and columns of
boring figure.