Data And Information JSS1 Computer Studies Lesson Note

DATA

Definition 

Data are raw facts and figures collected which cannot be used instantly for any decision making until it is processed. Data is also defined as unprocessed information. Examples of data are alphabets, numbers, or symbols.

TYPES OF DATA

1.         Numerical data: These are figures or numbers. Examples are  5, 6 and 10
2.         Alphabetic data: These are letters, names, and places. Examples are A and female. Adenike.
3.         Alpha-numeric data: These are combinations of alphabets and numbers; Example. Home Address: 8, Babayemi Street, Agege Lagos state.
4.         Audio data: These are voice data. 
5.         Graphic data visual data or video data: These can be pictures, images, diagrams, and camera images.

SOURCES OF DATA

Data can be obtained through the following sources:

1.         Interview: Data can be obtained through an oral interview
2.         Observation: Data can be obtained through personal observation of things that happen around us.
3.         Document analysis: Data can be obtained through reading and breaking down of various records.

INFORMATION   

Definition: 

Information can be defined as processed, manipulated, and organized data into meaningful and useful forms.  Information = Data + process.

For example, in a school, data in the form of term examination scores are processed for each student to obtain information in the form of first or second-term results for individual students.

Secondly, in banking institutions, withdrawals, interest, deposits, and bank charges for each customer are usually processed to obtain individual customers’ statements of account.

QUALITIES OF GOOD INFORMATION

Good information must possess certain qualities to produce meaningful results for decision-making. The qualities of good information are as follows: 

•             Relevant: It should be related to the matter at hand
•             Accurate: It must be correct and free from errors
•             Comprehensive: It must be complete and easy to understand
•     Meaningful: It must be expressed in a language that the receiver will understand. 
•             Timely: It must be available at the right time when the users need it.
•             Reliability: It must be unfailing.
•             Economical: Information must be less costly than the value it provides.
•           Suitable: It should be right for the purpose or occasion in which it is being made. 

CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION BASED ON THE FORM IN WHICH THE INFORMATION EXISTS

1.         Written information: This is written down formation such as magazines, and newspapers.
2.         Oral information: This is communicated information by talking, or speaking.
3.         Visual information: This is communicated through pictures, charts, graphs, and video.
4.         Sensory information: This is communicated through the senses such as hearing, feeling, and smelling. 

CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION BASED ON THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE

1.         Continuous information: e.g. inter-house sports competition.
2.         Hourly information: e.g. Radio news.
3.         Daily information: e.g. daily newspaper( Daily time, punch)
4.         Termly information: e.g. student’s card.
5.         Annual information: e.g. company’s annual report or budget.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DATA AND INFORMATION