INFS 112 - Session 1 - Information Concept -23-24.pptx

INFS 112: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SESSION 1 INFORMATION CONCEPTS Ms. Rita Agbodza ([email protected]) 2023/2024 Academic Year Goals and Objectives At the end of the session, the student will: 1.Be able to explain...

INFS 112: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SESSION 1 INFORMATION CONCEPTS Ms. Rita Agbodza ([email protected]) 2023/2024 Academic Year Goals and Objectives At the end of the session, the student will: 1.Be able to explain and differentiate among data, information and knowledge 2.Explain how and why data, information and knowledge are essential in our daily lives 3.Be able to explain the knowledge pyramid  Content/overview Information Pyramid Data Information Knowledge Wisdom Forms of information Sources of Information  Knowledge Pyramid:  Introduction In the field of Information science it is very necessary to distinguish among the four (4) core components of the discipline; Data Information Knowledge Wisdom In most of the KM literature, the pyramid is referred to as the “Knowledge Hierarchy”, “Information Hierarchy” “Knowledge Pyramid”. Slide 5 The Knowledge Pyramid The chain/hierarchy/pyramid suggests a distinct relationship between these concepts by relating wisdom to knowledge; knowledge to information and Information to data. This hierarchy also suggests that one can affect the other and even can be changed into Slide 6 another  Data The definitions largely depend on the context of its use, the field of study and the scholar's background. Data is the building block of information and knowledge It serves as the resource from which information is generated It can exist in any form, usable or not. Data are raw facts and figures that on their own have no meaning. These can be any alphanumeric characters i.e. text, numbers, symbols. For example: 12A4GH7; 17, 25,  Data Features of Data Purpose of Data Data is 1. to record activities or situations, basic, 2. to attempt to capture the true unrefined, picture or real event. generally unfiltered 3. To confirm or disprove what Not organised already exist Meaningless 4. To cause you to act on what has been discovered or collated 5. Foundation for knowing the future  Information Information is Collection of facts organized in such a way that they have additional value beyond the value of the facts themselves Data that has been processed/classified/arranged/organised/manipulated within a context/form to give it meaning Is this information: Treuliodd y rhif cwsmer ١٨ bron i dri chant o ddoleri mewn un pryniant - gwerthiant mwyaf y mis diwethaf! - Why yes/no? Is this information: This is a regular patron who borrows at least six books at a time and has never missed a deadline in returning his books. - Why yes/no? Slide 9  Information Information goes through several processes: Contextualisation: by explaining the purpose of the data Categorisation: by defining data into units of analysis or key components Calculating: by analysing the data using mathematics or statistics Correction: by removing errors from data Condensation: by summarising data to form a concise message Slide 10  Information Information by itself is only of use if it is: In the right context the right information (fit for the purpose) at the right time in the right format at the right price Slide 11  Knowledge Knowledge is used interchangeably in practice as well as in literature, with intangible assets, capabilities, core competence or even skills Knowledge is Understanding derived from information Fact/information and skills acquired through education, experience, or practical understanding of a subject/event Familiarity, awareness or understanding of something, person, activity, event etc Slide 12  Types of Knowledge Tacit … Explicit/formal AKA intuitive/know-how/action- knowledge that can be easily collected, oriented/ hidden or practical organized and transferred. knowledge AKA formal, articulated, documented, know- what, codified, or academic knowledge It is based on practice, acquired by It is processed by information systems, personal experience, seldom codified or recorded, archived and protected expressed openly, often resembles by organisations. intuitions and embodies beliefs and values. From a university perspective, explicit It is often context dependent and knowledge is kept in publications, journals, personal in nature. textbooks, lecture notes, routine records, It is developed and internalized by electronic archival systems (databases), e- the knower over a long period of time mails, policies and on the university’s portals.  Wisdom Wisdom is the application of knowledge knowing the right things to do" and "the ability to make sound judgments and decisions apparently without thought". The process discernment or judgement between right and wrong, good and bad; ethical and unethical Wisdom comes with appreciation of knowledge Wisdom adds value, which requires the mental function that we call judgment. The ethical and aesthetic values that this implies are inherent to the actor and are unique and personal Slide 14  Wisdom Wisdom involves using knowledge for the greater good. Because of this, wisdom is deeper and more uniquely human. It calls upon all the previous levels of consciousness, and specifically upon special types of human programming (moral, ethical codes, etc.) It beckons to give us understanding about which there has previously been no understanding, and in doing so, goes far beyond understanding itself. computers do not have, and will never have the ability to posses wisdom. Wisdom is a uniquely human state, or requires one to have a soul, for it resides as much in the heart as in the mind. And a soul is something machines will never possess (or perhaps I should reword that to say, a soul is something that, in general, will never possess a machine). Slide 15  Forms of Information  Forms of Information Forms of information include: Internal and external Electronic, hard copy (paper-based) and spoken Formal/Informal Quantitative and Qualitative. Slide 17  Forms of Information Internal External Information generated inside the Information generated outside organization the organization Staff records Accounting records Professional journals Annual reports Books Long range planning records Surveys Company reports Industry or government Business documents (letters, minutes of meetings) reports  Forms of Information Formal Information Informal This Is information that responds to a specific It is the opposite of formal information. defined form or format. It is not in accordance with any laid It is presented in an organised and orderly down rules or structures. structure. It is not officially recognized or The language of presentation is very official. controlled. Formal of information can come from within or It is unceremonious or without outside the organization formality. It may be spoken or written. It is casual and suited for everyday They can also be found in use. newspapers or electronic newsfeeds; magazine It is unofficial, free- style and-easy and articles; management reports; staff disciplinary procedures; videos of product presentations; includes slangs. layouts, maps, blueprints.  Formal and informal information Formal Informal 1. Available to more than one person 1. May be an interchange 2. Information captured has been between just two people recorded in some way, so can be 2. The information is reused transient – not stored or 3. Information used is selected by retrievable the recipient –eg. You decide 3. The information is which newspaper reports you are selected by the provider going to read 4. Information is interactive 4. Information tends to be static Slide 20  Electronic and hard copy (paper-based), and spoken. Electronic Manual/Paper Based Information The information collated or found in a The information collated or found database or electronic format and the user in paper format or any other format except electronic systems can access the files for better information and the user can access it for as a basis for decision. better information as a basis for The information could come from internal decision. and external sources to facilitate better It may include fiscal, social, decision making. economic, scientific or technical Example information information. websites, both Internet and Intranet The information could come from video and multimedia products internal and external sources. Examples Annual reports Slide 21  Qualitative and Quantitative Quantitative Information Qualitative Information Information that can be It is information about measured or quantified. qualities; information that It about quantities; that is, can't actually be measured or quantified. information that can be Its based on the quality of an measured and written down with item or object. numbers. Example the softness of your It can be directly measured and skin, the grace with which can be seen as factual you run, and the color of your information rather than opinion. eyes. Examples: height, shoe size, and Slide 22 the length of your fingernails.  Types of Information 1. News 2. Ideas and opinions 3. Research results 4. Theoretical analysis/theory 5. Everyday practicalities 6. Facts and figures 7. History or background 8. People's experience 9. Advice or help 10.Technical information 11.Legal information Slide 23  Sources of Information  Sources of Information Three main sources of information: Primary Secondary Slide 25  Primary Information Source Information that you collect yourself. Primary information can be seen as reliable and accurate if it has been collected together in the correct way. Obtaining primary information is more expensive as you need to collect, store and analyse the information yourself. It provides direct or first hand information about an event, person, object, or work of art. Primary sources are current to what they describe. examples of primary information sources. Diaries, Experiments, Speeches, Personal correspondences, Paintings, Interviews, Annual reports of an organization or agency, Patents, Court records Slide 26  Secondary Information Sources Information already exist in some form They are produced at some point after a primary information source appears. Using secondary information is riskier than using primary information as you are relying on someone else to collect and supply the information and you need to ensure it comes from a reliable source. Example encyclopaedia, Textbooks, Biographies, Magazine articles, Book reviews etc Papers written by students typically contain mostly secondary sources. Slide 27  Activities Slide 28  Activities Using the Knowledge pyramid List eight information as a guide, list five items of data, sources that you use on a information and knowledge. regular basis Summarize what you use each Categorise them as formal or informal, internal or external, item for – your purpose electronic, hard copy Note how you add value to each Identify your three most item to create information or useful sources and analyse knowledge why these are the most Who is involved in this process? useful Slide 29