Data And Information - SS1 ICT Past Questions and Answers - page 2
Describe the difference between data and information, and provide an example of each.
Data refers to raw facts, figures, or symbols that lack context and meaning. For example, a list of temperature readings (e.g., 25°C, 28°C) is data.
Information, on the other hand, is data that has been processed, organized, and structured in a meaningful way. An example of information could be a weather report that summarizes temperature trends over a week, providing context and insights
How does the process of transforming data into information contribute to decision-making?
The process of transforming data into information involves organizing, analyzing, and interpreting the data to give it context and meaning. This contributes to decision-making by providing actionable insights. For instance, analyzing sales data over a period can reveal trends, allowing a company to make informed decisions about inventory, marketing strategies, or sales projections.
Transforming data into information involves organizing, analyzing, and contextualizing the data to reveal patterns, trends, and relationships. This process provides valuable insights that aid decision-making and problem-solving. For instance, a retailer analyzing sales data can identify which products are most popular during specific seasons, enabling them to stock inventory accordingly and optimize sales strategies.
Provide a scenario where raw data could be considered valuable even before it's transformed into information.
Raw data can be valuable before it's transformed into information in cases where it holds the potential for generating insights. For instance, a company might collect unprocessed customer feedback data.
Although it's raw data, it has value as it contains unfiltered opinions. Once organized and analyzed, this data could yield valuable information about customer satisfaction trends and areas for improvement.
Explain the relationship between data and information using real-world scenarios.
Data is like the scattered pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, while information is the complete picture formed by assembling those pieces. For instance, a collection of survey responses (data) about customer preferences can be processed and analyzed to generate a report (information) that highlights trends and insights useful for developing targeted marketing strategies.