Welcome to A-level ICT
Data consists of raw facts and figures/ figures without meaning.
Here is an example of some data : 15, 12, 19
Once data has been organised or processed to make it meaningful, it becomes information.
Data + Meaning = Information
Here is an example of information :
Supermarket A sells a dozen red roses for £15
Supermarket B sells a dozen red roses for £12
Supermarket C sells a dozen red roses for £19.
Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to it.
We can apply rules to information to make decisions or deductions. This is knowledge.
Here is an example of knowledge :
It is better to order a dozen red roses from Supermarket B as they are cheapest at £12.
EXAMPLE
Data consists of raw facts and figures such as 9:00, 135/75, 10:00, 135/75, 11:00, 120/60.
Information is data which has been processed by the computer. To render the data as information, it first must be given a context, e.g. medical – a patient’s blood pressure readings, and to make it more understandable it is put into a table. (See below).
Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to it.
Any appropriate example, such as The doctor can now apply her knowledge to this information and now see that the patient’s condition is improving.
Example
Data 1 63.6, 2 59.3, 3 59.7
Information: These are swimming times in a race Swimmer 1 63.6 secs, Swimmer 2 59.3 seconds, swimmer 3 59.7 seconds
Knowledge: Swimmer 2 is the fastest and consequently wins.
Example:
Data, John’s 01052003
Information: John's Date of Birth is 01/05/2003
Knowledge: John is 18 and so now he can vote in the next election.
What is data? Give an example.
What is information? Give an example.
What is knowledge? Give an example.
What is the relationship between data, information and knowledge?
Why would you encode data?
What are the problems associated with encoding?