Data and Information – JSS1 Computer Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Data are raw facts and figures, such as letters, numbers and symbols, that cannot be used for decision making until they are processed. Information is data that has been processed, organised and arranged into a meaningful and useful form. Information can be classified by its form and by time of occurrence.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define data and information;
2. list and describe the types of data;
3. state the sources of data;
4. state the qualities of good information;
5. classify information by form and by time of occurrence;
6. state the differences between data and information.

What is data?

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

What are the 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, female and 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.

What are the 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 various records.

What is information?

Information can be defined as data that has been processed, manipulated and organised into a meaningful and useful form. 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-term 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.

What are the qualities of good information?

Good information must have 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.
• Complete: It must contain everything needed and be 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.
• Reliable: It must be dependable.
• Economical: It must cost less than the value it provides.
• Suitable: It should be right for the purpose or occasion for which it is made.

How is information classified?

Classification based on the form in which the information exists

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

Classification based on the time of occurrence

1. Continuous information: for example, an inter-house sports competition.
2. Hourly information: for example, radio news.
3. Daily information: for example, a daily newspaper (Daily Times, Punch).
4. Termly information: for example, a student’s report card.
5. Annual information: for example, a company’s annual report or budget.

What is the difference between data and information?

Evaluation

1. Define data and give two examples.
2. List the five types of data.
3. State the three sources of data.
4. Write down four qualities of good information.
5. State three differences between data and information.

Assignment

1. Define information and give one example from a school or a bank.
2. Name the four classes of information based on the form in which it exists, with one example of each.
3. List the five classes of information based on the time of occurrence, with one example of each.