Chapter 1: (Stair and Reynolds; class slides) * Hierarchy of Data * Systematic organization of data. * Data – raw facts and figures by itself. * Alphanumeric data – numbers, letters and other characters * Image data – graphic images and pictures * Audio data – sound, noise or tones * Video data – moving images or pictures * Information – collection of facts organized in such a way that they have value beyond the facts themselves. * Knowledge – awareness and understanding of a set of information. Data + | Information | Knowledge | Raw facts and figures, by itself, tells you nothing. | Data in context, so you can answer a question, make a decision. | Insight from experience and expertise—understanding of how info. can be used for a task, make a decision. | 23 F | Tonight’s low temperature will be 23 F | When the temperature is less than 25 F, our snow making equipment can cover the trail in 2 hours. |
* Knowledge workers * People who create, use, and disseminate knowledge and are usually professionals in science, engineering, business, and other areas. * Well educated, relatively autonomous, continuously learning, “expert,” who creates, modifies or synthesizes information as a fundamental part of their jobs
* Characteristics of Valuable Information * All information is not equal. * If an organization’s information is not accurate or complete: * People can make poor decisions, costing thousands or even millions of dollars. * Depending on the type of information you need: * Some characteristics become more important than others. Characteristics | Definitions | Accessible | Right format at right time. | *Accurate | Error free (garbage in, garbage out). | *Complete | Contains all import facts. | *Economical | Benefit greater than cost to produce. |