The document discusses the difference between data and information. Data refers to raw facts without context, while information is processed data that has been organized, analyzed, and given context and meaning. The document provides examples to illustrate the difference, such as a number representing different things depending on the context or information added to raw stock prices and dates to give them meaning and value. Overall, the key difference is that information is data that has been processed and transformed to have value and context.

1. Data vs. Information
Data Information
 raw facts  data with context
 no context  processed data
 just numbers and text  value-added to data
 summarized
 organized
 analyzed

2. Data vs. Information
 Data: 51007
 Information:
 5/10/07 The date of your final exam.
 $51,007 The average starting salary of an
accounting major.
 51007 Zip code of Bronson Iowa.

3. Data vs. Information
Data Information
 6.34 SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO INC.
 6.45
$7.20
 6.39
$7.00
 6.62
 6.57 $6.80
Stock Price
 6.64 $6.60
 6.71 $6.40
 6.82 $6.20
 7.12 $6.00
 7.06
$5.80
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Last 10 Days

4. Data  Information  Knowledge
Data
Summarizing the data
Averaging the data
Selecting part of the data
Graphing the data
Adding context
Adding value
Information

5. Data  Information  Knowledge
Information
How is the info tied to outcomes?
Are there any patterns in the info?
What info is relevant to the problem?
How does this info effect the system?
What is the best way to use the info?
How can we add more value to the info?
Knowledge

6. Information Systems
Generic Goal:
 Transform Data into Information
 At the Core of an Information System is a
Database (raw data).

7. Information Systems (TSP and PCS)
 Data doesn’t just appear,
Capturing Data is really the first step
 These systems help capture data but
they also have other purposes (goals):
1. Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)
2. Process Control Systems (PCS)

8. Capturing Data
 What are some examples of real TPS’s?
 What kind of data is being capture?
 How is this data transformed into
Information?

9. Data Processing
 Recall that a basic system is composed of
5 components
 Input, Output, Processing, Feedback, Control
 Typically processing helps transform data
into information.
Input Output
Processing
Raw Data Information

10. Processing
 Summarizing
 Computing Averages
 Graphing
 Creating Charts
 Visualizing Data