1.1 Knowledge, Information and Data

1. 1.1Knowledge, Information and Data

2. AIMS : • To understand the distinction between knowledge, information and data. • To understand that data can arise from direct capture, or as a by-product of another operation. • To describe the effect of the quality of the data source on the information produced. • To understand the need to encode information as data. • To understand the problems associated with the coding of value judgements. • Understand that information is a commodity and as such can have a monetary value, the level of which depends on its accuracy, its potential use and its particular intended use. • Describe the overheads involved in ensuring that information is up-to-date.

3. Knowledge, Information and Data • Data: • Raw values relating to facts, events or transactions. • Information: • Processed data. • Data which has meaning and context. • Knowledge: • The use of information in context, to make decisions.

4. KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERT SYSTEMS • Computers use human knowledge to solve problems • knowledge as data or rules within the computer

5. Encoding of information • It is often necessary to encode information as data. • Reasons for Encoding. • This can lead to problems. Quality of Data • The quality of the data source affects the information produced. • Accurate • Up-to-date • Complete

6. VALUED JUDGEMENTS • What is a valued judgement?

7. Loss of precision due to coding value judgements. • A hotel asked customers to score their service in the hotel according to this system: 1-Excellent, 2-Good, 3-Average, 4-Bad, 5-Poor The average mark from 100 customers was 1.8. Are these statements true? • All our customers think our service is good or better. • Our average score is good to excellent. • Our customers think we are consistently good. • Think of 2 reasons why this is not always a reliable way of storing information.

8. Input, Process, Output INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT FEEDBACK

9. Data Capture • Data can arise from different sources: • Direct: • Indirect: Amazon

10. Date-stamping of information • Information may be out-of-date by the time it has been processed. • Ensuring data is up-to-date can be time-consuming and costly.

11. Classification of information • Source • Nature • Level • Time • Frequency • Use • Form • Type

12. Problem • A school is planning the introduction of a computer-based attendance system for classes and registration groups. The purpose of the system is to produce information for the following end-users: • Class teachers • Pastoral managers (tutors/heads of year) • Senior managers (e.g. deputy head) • For each of the different end-users describe, with the aid of an example, information that the system might produce in relation to their requirements.

13. Case Study • Collecting Information • Or, ‘Nightmare scheme’ • (Pg 36-37)

14. Exam Question • Describe briefly what is meant by data, information and knowledge, giving examples of each. (6) • Describe three ways in which data can be or can become, of ‘poor quality’. (3)

15. Exam Question • Travelling sales representatives working in the UK can make extensive use of company credit cards to pay for goods and services. A company credit card is one that is issued by a company to its representative. All charges and information relating to each transaction are sent directly to the company. • List 4 items of data which are captured each time the card is used. (4) • Other than payment information, suggest one other potential use for information which can be derived from this data. (2)

16. Exam Question • Many market research firms use questionnaires as a means of gathering raw data for companies about the popularity of their products. • Explain why IT is widely used in market research. (4) • Once the data has been collected, it can be used to give the clients information about their products. Explain the difference between information and data in this context. (4)