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Data, Information &
Knowledge 1
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Data
Data are raw facts and
figures that on their
own have no meaning
These can be any
alphanumeric
characters i.e. text,
numbers, symbols
Note the “are” bit above? What does this mean?
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Data Examples
Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes
42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86
111192, 111234
None of the above data sets have any
meaning until they are given a CONTEXT
and PROCESSED into a useable form
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Data Into Information
To achieve its aims the organisation will
need to process data into information.
Data needs to be turned into meaningful
information and presented in its most
useful format
Data must be processed in a context in
order to give it meaning
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Information
Data that has been processed within a
context to give it meaning
OR
Data that has been processed into a
form that gives it meaning
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Examples
In the next 3 examples
explain how the data
could be processed to
give it meaning
What information can
then be derived from
the data?
Suggested answers are given at the end of this presentation
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Example 1
Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes,
No, Yes, No, Yes, Yes
Raw Data
Context
Responses to the market
research question – “Would
you buy brand x at price y?”
Information ???
Processing
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Example 2
Raw Data
Context
Information
42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86
Jayne’s scores in the six
AS/A2 ICT modules
???
Processing
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Example 3
Raw Data
Context
Information
111192, 111234
The previous and current
readings of a customer’s
gas meter
???
Processing
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Exam Tip
You’ll nearly always be asked to give
examples of data processed into
information
Don’t use:
• Traffic lights
• Dates of birth
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Knowledge
Knowledge is the understanding of rules
needed to interpret information
“…the capability of understanding the
relationship between pieces of
information and what to actually do
with the information”
Debbie Jones – www.teach-ict.com
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Knowledge Examples
Using the 3 previous examples:
• A Marketing Manager could use this information to
decide whether or not to raise or lower price y
• Jayne’s teacher could analyse the results to determine
whether it would be worth her re-sitting a module
• Looking at the pattern of the customer’s previous gas
bills may identify that the figure is abnormally low and
they are fiddling the gas meter!!!
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Knowledge Workers
Knowledge workers have specialist
knowledge that makes them “experts”
• Based on formal and informal rules they have
learned through training and experience
Examples include doctors, managers,
librarians, scientists…
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Expert Systems
Because many rules are based
on probabilities computers can
be programmed with “subject
knowledge” to mimic the role
of experts
One of the most common uses
of expert systems is in
medicine
• The ONCOLOG system shown
here analyses patient data to
provide a reference for doctors,
and help for the choice,
prescription and follow-up of
chemotherapy
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Summary
Information Data Context Meaning
= +
+
Processing
Data – raw facts and figures
Information – data that has been processed (in a context) to give it meaning
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Revision Tasks
Use the Teach-ICT mini site to make your own
notes on the differences between data,
knowledge and information
http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2/topics/data_info_know/datainfo/index.htm
Try questions 1-6 on this worksheet
http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2/topics/data_info_know/data_worksheet.doc
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Suggested answers to examples
Example 1
• We could add up the yes and no responses and calculate
the percentage of customers who would buy product X at
price Y. The information could be presented as a chart to
make it easier to understand.
Example 2
• Adding Jayne’s scores would give us a mark out of 600 that
could then be converted to an A level grade. Alternatively
we could convert the individual module results into grades.
Example 3
• By subtracting the second value from the first we can work
out how many units of gas the consumer has used. This can
then be multiplied by the price per unit to determine the
customer’s gas bill.
