What is Data?
In layman terms, data can be described as discrete facts or even unprocessed info. Having to scrutinize the standpoint of Davenport, he clearly defined data as "observations of states of the world" having said that such raw facts/data can be observed by people/suitable technology. As to simplify it, it means "simple observations".[1]
What is Information?
Understandably, Davenport exemplifies information as "Data with relevance and Information"[1]. Information has been regarded as an umbrella term for data, information and knowledge which also explains the connection between raw data and attained knowledge.
What is Knowledge?
Knowledge is defined as valuable information from the human mind. The value of it conforms to the information context, meaning and particular interpretation. The definition of knowledge was then refined together with Prusak in 1998 where it was defined as "A mixture of organized experiences, values, information and insights offering a framework to evaluate new experiences and information."[2]
2. What are the characteristics of the above terms?[3][4]
Characteristics of Data :
Identified as the lowest level of information, it is unsorted, unformatted, unvalidated and in certain circumstances might be unreadable. Data may be projected as qualitative(opinion-based/subjective) or quantitative (measurement-based/objective). It also consists of detailed/sampled data and is depicted in various forms of which textual, numeric, graphical, aural, visual are among the few.
Characteristics of Information :
Like data, information can also be categorized into quantitative and qualitative information. Being differentiated from data, information has shape and can be processed, accessed, generated, created, transmitted, stored, sent, distributed. Information can also be compressed and duplicated.
Characteristics of Knowledge :
Significantly, knowledge is personal, subjective and inherently local. It sets apart from data and information as it is shaped by existing perceptions and experiences. Knowledge can be delineated as tacit or explicit. Tacit refers to knowledge of a fluid type, in which is hard to encode and communicate. In other words, it is difficult to be resolved into information. This form of knowledge can be personal, context-specific and also hard to get hold of. Explicit however is knowledge in a solid form. Knowledge of this sort is clearly defined and clearly expressed. In another aspect, it can be readily observed and fully developed.
3. Give an example for each term mentioned above
Example of Data : Black Smoke
Example of Information : Black Smoke emitted from a factory on the east side
Example of Knowledge : Black smoke being emitted from the factory would represent the particles and material through the process of combustion combined together with air. It produces smoke which would bring detriment to humans and would encourage Global Warming.
4. Is there any possibility of a fourth level of Information Hierarchy? Elaborate.
Unambiguously, the posibility of a fourth level of Information Hierarchy evidently exists. Yes it does, and has been justified as depicted in the DIKW Hierarchy, also known as Information Hierarchy/Wisdom Hierarchy/Knowledge Pyramid .
Stated by Robert Gangne, DIKW Hierarchy is a ranked list of all knowledge in which all intellectual skills and all learning, progresses from the simplest to the most complex.[5] Therefore it is utmost important to present lower-level facts first before higher-level ones.
Below is a diagram illustrating the Knowledge Pyramid
based on the model of DIKW Hierarchy :
The pyramid above would be perceived as having 4 levels of information. The first level is Data(lowest), second is Information, third is Knowledge and the fourth level(highest) would be Wisdom.
Wisdom can be defined and created with the usage of knowledge, through the communication of knowledge users, and also through reflection, in this sense it can mean judgement. Wisdom also answers the "why" and "when" as they would relate to actions. [6]In another standpoint, wisdom would increase effectiveness and adds value in which mental function (judgement) is needed.[8]
References :
[1] DAVENPORT T. H., PRUSAK. L (1997), "Information Ecology: Mastering the Information and Knowledge Environment". Accessed on January 14, 2009, from the World Wide Web:
[2] LIEW. A (2007), “Journal of Knowledge Management Practice”. Accessed on January 14, 2009, from the World Wide Web:
[3] HANSSON. P, “Knowledge Management (KM) Tools in Mobile Networks - Features, Benifits, Challenges and Characteristics”. Accessed on January 14, 2009, from the World Wide Web:
[4] KELLY.M (2005), “IT Lecture Notes - characteristics of data”. Accessed on January 14, 2009, from the World Wide Web:
1 comment:
Good formatting of content - making it easy to read. Good way to interpret your citation. Good example that expands the data into information and eventually into knowledge. Good reference list (no wikis).
Your explanation on 'wisdom' is very clear and can be related to our course quite clearly. Good job!
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