Data, Information and Knowledge
Data Data
DataData... data is raw. symbols... data is raw. symbols
Data are pieces of information that represent the qualitativeData are pieces of information that represent the qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables.
or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables.
It simply exists and has no significance beyond its existenceIt simply exists and has no significance beyond its existence (in and of itself).
(in and of itself).
It can exist in any form, usable or not.It can exist in any form, usable or not.
It does not have meaning of itself.It does not have meaning of itself.
Data is unprocessed facts and figures without any added Data is unprocessed facts and figures without any added interpretation or analysis. "The price of c
interpretation or analysis. "The price of crude oil is $80 per rude oil is $80 per barrel."
barrel."
Information Information
Information is data that has been given meaningInformation is data that has been given meaning by way of
by way of relational connection.relational connection.
This "meaning" can be useful, but This "meaning" can be useful, but does not havedoes not have to be.
to be.
Generally speaking, the concept of information isGenerally speaking, the concept of information is closely related to notions of constraint,
closely related to notions of constraint,
communication, control, data, form, instruction, communication, control, data, form, instruction, knowledge, meaning, mental stimulus, pattern, knowledge, meaning, mental stimulus, pattern, perception, and representation.
perception, and representation.
InformationInformation is data that has been interpretedis data that has been interpreted so that it has meaning for the
so that it has meaning for the user.user.
data that are processed to be useful; providesdata that are processed to be useful; provides answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when"
answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when"
questions questions
"The price of crude oil has risen from $70 to $80"The price of crude oil has risen from $70 to $80 per barrel" gives meaning to the data and so i
per barrel" gives meaning to the data and so iss said to be information to someone who tracks oil said to be information to someone who tracks oil prices.
prices.
Knowledge Knowledge
KnowledgeKnowledge is a combination of information, experienceis a combination of information, experience and insight that may benefit the individual or the
and insight that may benefit the individual or the organisation.
organisation.
"When crude oil prices go up by $10 per barrel, it's"When crude oil prices go up by $10 per barrel, it's likely that petrol prices will rise by 2p per litre" is likely that petrol prices will rise by 2p per litre" is knowledge.
knowledge.
application of data and information; answers "how"application of data and information; answers "how"
questions questions
Knowledge is the appropriate collection of information,Knowledge is the appropriate collection of information, such that it's intent is to be useful.
such that it's intent is to be useful.
Quiz Quiz
The temperature dropped 15 degrees and then it The temperature dropped 15 degrees and then it startedstarted raining
raining
It is raining.It is raining.
If the humidity is very high If the humidity is very high and the temperature dropsand the temperature drops substantially the atmospheres is often unlikely to
substantially the atmospheres is often unlikely to be ablebe able to hold the moisture so it rains.
to hold the moisture so it rains.
Data represents a fact or statement of eventData represents a fact or statement of event without relation to other things.
without relation to other things.
Ex: It is raining.Ex: It is raining.
Information embodies the understanding of aInformation embodies the understanding of a relationship of some sort, possibly cause and relationship of some sort, possibly cause and effect.
effect.
Ex: The temperature dropped 15 degrees and then itEx: The temperature dropped 15 degrees and then it started raining.
started raining.
Knowledge represents a pattern that connectsKnowledge represents a pattern that connects and generally provides a high level of
and generally provides a high level of
predictability as to what is described or what will predictability as to what is described or what will happen next.
happen next.
Ex: If the humidity is Ex: If the humidity is very high and the temperaturevery high and the temperature drops substantially the atmospheres is often unlikely drops substantially the atmospheres is often unlikely to be able to hold the moisture so it rains.
to be able to hold the moisture so it rains.
Wisdom embodies more of an understanding of Wisdom embodies more of an understanding of
fundamental principles embodied within the knowledge fundamental principles embodied within the knowledge that are essentially the basis for the knowledg
that are essentially the basis for the knowledge being whate being what it is.
it is.
Wisdom is essentially systemic. Wisdom is essentially systemic.
Ex: It rains because it Ex: It rains because it rains. And this encompasses anrains. And this encompasses an
understanding of all the interactions that happen between understanding of all the interactions that happen between raining, evaporation, air
raining, evaporation, air currents, temperature gradients,currents, temperature gradients, changes, and raining.
changes, and raining.
Yet, there is still a question regarding when is a Yet, there is still a question regarding when is a pattern knowledge and when is it noise.
pattern knowledge and when is it noise.
Consider the following:Consider the following:
Abugt dbesbt regtc uatn s uitrzt. Abugt dbesbt regtc uatn s uitrzt.
ubtxte pstye ysote anet sser extessubtxte pstye ysote anet sser extess
ibxtedstes bet3 ibtes otesb ibxtedstes bet3 ibtes otesb tapbesct ehractstapbesct ehracts
It is quite likely this sequence represents 100%It is quite likely this sequence represents 100%
novelty, which means it's equivalent to noise.
novelty, which means it's equivalent to noise.
There is no foundation for you to connect with theThere is no foundation for you to connect with the pattern, yet to me the statements are quite
pattern, yet to me the statements are quite
meaningful as I understand the translation with meaningful as I understand the translation with reveals they are in fact Newton's 3 laws of motion.
reveals they are in fact Newton's 3 laws of motion.
Is something knowledge if you can't understandIs something knowledge if you can't understand it?
it?
Chaim Zins has authored an articleChaim Zins has authored an article “Conceptual “Conceptual Approaches for Defining Data, Information, and Approaches for Defining Data, Information, and Knowledge”
Knowledge” available on Websiteavailable on Website
(http://www.success.co.il/is/zins_definitions_di (http://www.success.co.il/is/zins_definitions_di k.pdf) contains 130 definitions of
k.pdf) contains 130 definitions of datadata,, information
information, and, and knowledgeknowledge formulated by formulated by 45 scholars, and maps the major conceptual
45 scholars, and maps the major conceptual approaches for defining these three key
approaches for defining these three key concepts.
concepts.
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