Data, Information and Knowledge

• Data represents unorganized and unprocessed facts.
  • Usually data is static in nature.

  • It can represent a set of discrete facts about events.

  • Data is a prerequisite to information.

  • An organization sometimes has to decide on the nature and volume of data that is required for creating the necessary information.

• Information
  • Information can be considered as an aggregation of data (processed data) which makes decision making easier.

  • Information has usually got some meaning and purpose.

• Knowledge
  • By knowledge we mean human understanding of a subject matter that has been acquired through proper study and experience.

  • Knowledge is usually based on learning, thinking, and proper understanding of the problem area.

  • Knowledge is not information and information is not data.

  • Knowledge is derived from information in the same way information is derived from data.

  • We can view it as an understanding of information based on its perceived importance or relevance to a problem area.

  • It can be considered as the integration of human perceptive processes that helps them to draw meaningful conclusions.

Figure 1.1: Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom