Week 11 in Accessing Knowledge!

16/05/08

Lecture Overview

Week 11's lecture started off with some technical difficulties. The computer was not conencting to the projector, this meant that we did not start our weeks lecture till late and did not get all information on the lecture. We started off by doing a pop quiz on revision of the past weeks in accessing knowledge. This weeks lecture was all about 'Data, Information and Knowledge'.

• The definition of data is that it is a fact or a proposition. Some characteristics of data is that it is factual, non-judgemental and non-inferential. An example of data is sampled data which is data such as price, shares and another example of data is measured data which is used for the weather.The importance of data is to collect valid and unbiased data, and must be quantative and representive.


• Information means a collection of facts or data that relate to each other. Some of the characteristics of information is that it is summative, relational and dimensional. An example of information is historical information which is used for almanacs, or table of census data, another use of information is records which is used for budgets, minutes of meetings. The importance of information must inform, be relational and meaningful.


• Knowledge is the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered or learned. Some characteristics of Knowledge is that is inferential, experimental and judgemental. Knowledge is used for things such as white pages, press release and marketing strategies. The importance of knowledge must not only be subjective but its origin should be clear, should be a novel/ logical conclusion and must have justification from data and information.

Tutorial Activities
The first thing we were told to do in class today was to go onto blackboard-announcements and compelte a survey about blackboard, and our opinions on it. We then went ahead and started our activities for week 11.

Activity One:

Activity one we had to visit a website about data, information and knowledge (http://www.success.co.il/is/dik.html) and then brows the internet to find a dictionary and find the terms to the following words:

• Data: Individual facts, statistics, or items of information.


• Information: Knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or circumstance.


• Knowledge: Acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation.


• Wisdom: The ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight.

I recieved these meanings from the online dictionary 'http://www.dictionary.com/'

Activity Two:

In activity two we had to construct a graph on the results of data, knowledge, information and wisdom.

Activity Three:

Activity three required for us to show our understanding of the relationship between data, information and knowledge and explain how it can assist my university study:

• When given an assignment you should firstly highlight keywords, look up definitions and know what your looking for. Once this is done you can collect data.


• Data relates to the research part of the assessment. Look for facts, statistics etc to assist in forming your ideas and backing up statements.


• Information usually relates to the building phase of the assignment. You put all the information you have found and you put it together logically.


• Knowledge relates to the composition of your assignment, whereby you make your own judgments on the information you have collected and put together.

Activity Four:

In activity four we had to make a list of five organisations that collect information from their clients or the public, and explain why we think they might collect this information.

• Telephone companies record which numbers you call, how often you call etc.


• Libraries record which books are taken out and who the popular authors are etc. Use this information to plan what new books to buy and by what authors.


• Most supermarkets collect data about customers and their spending habits. Use this information to plan and strategise.


• The local doctor at each visit will write down what is wrong with you, and collects it in case of any trends or patterns occurring. Ensures safety and detecting things early.


• Census data. Finds out a variety of information such as age, gender, income, family size and distribution for within a suburb, city, or state.

Readings Summary:

• Data, information, knowledge & wisdom: Data is raw. It simply exists and has no significance beyond it's existance. Information is the data that has been given meaning by way of rational connection. Knowledge is the appropriate collection of information, such that it's intent is to be useful. Understanding is an interpolative and probabilistic process. Whereas wisdom is an extrapolative and non-probabilistic process.


• Information Literacy: This website is a tutorial that includes lessons, quizzes, assignments and handouts to help master your information literacy skills.


• Data, information and knowledge: This reading talks about the relationships that occur within data, info and knowledge. It gives examples such as the Bureau of Meteorology.