1. Data, Information & Knowledge 1

2. Note the “are” bit above? What does this mean?
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?

3. Data Examples Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes
42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86
111192,
None of the above data sets have any meaning until they are given a CONTEXT and PROCESSED into a useable form

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, Yes
Example 1
Raw Data
Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes, Yes
Responses to the market research question – “Would you buy brand x at price y?”
Context
Processing
Information
???

8. Jayne’s scores in the six AS/A2 ICT modules
Example 2
Raw Data
42, 63, 96, 74, 56, 86
Jayne’s scores in the six AS/A2 ICT modules
Context
Processing
Information
???

9. The previous and current readings of a customer’s gas meter
Example 3
Raw Data
111192,
The previous and current readings of a customer’s gas meter
Context
Processing
Information
???

10. Exam Tip
You’ll nearly always be asked to give examples of data processed into information
Don’t use:
Traffic lights
Dates of birth

11. 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 –

12. 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!!!

13. 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…

14. 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

15. Summary = + + Information Data Context Meaning Processing
Data – raw facts and figures
Information – data that has been processed (in a context) to give it meaning

16. Revision Tasks
Use the Teach-ICT mini site to make your own notes on the differences between data, knowledge and information
Try questions 1-6 on this worksheet

17. Suggested answers to examples
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.