[Sigia-l] RE: Data vs. Information

[Thomas Vander Wal]

On 1/6/03 8:06 PM, "Boniface Lau" <boniface_lau at compuserve.com> wrote:

>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: sigia-l-admin at asis.org [mailto:sigia-l-admin at asis.org]On
>> Behalf Of Listera
>> 
> [...]
>> As you previously illustrated, what's data to some can be
>> information to another. My contention is that it's virtually
>> impossible to draw a rigid line between the two in many/most
>> situations,
> 
> Agreed! After all, we are dealing with terms commonly used in a
> natural language.
> 
> Insisting on an universal distinction between the terms "data" and
> "information" is not only futile, but laying down a trap for the
> unsuspected. Such distinction will quickly confuse people when a
> discussion evolves to include a larger audience or broader context.
> 
> Therefore, I believe it is much more productive to accept the reality
> that "data" and "information" are just synonyms to each other.

In an information science, computer science, knowledge management, and
extending to IA data and information are not synonyms.  To lay people and
those who do not spend their time thinking of such things the terms can get
confused.  The lesson of data being the granular element in information is a
first week lesson in introductory IS, CS, or KM courses.  Since most of us
interact with these folks, if not where these hats it is good to know the
difference so that we can intelligently converse with fields we need to
embrace to do our jobs well.

It would do one good to read some of the resources that James Robertson
suggested in the KM field.  The lines between IA and KM are drawn very
tightly in many areas.  Two books on I would suggest are InfoSense: Turning
Information into Knowledge by Keith Devlin
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0716734842/) or Information
Ecology: Mastering the Information and Knowledge Environment by Thomas
Davenport and Lawrence Prusak
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0195111680/).  These two
resources will point out not only the vast difference between data,
information, and knowledge, but also show how organizations can best utilize
their data and information resources to create knowledge.

The lines between data and information are blurred at best. The interaction
of the user/audience is where the difference is made.  Understanding how the
information will be used (and even more beneficial to understand how
information will be reused) is important.

Do IAs think they deal only with information or do they see themselves
dealing with raw data?  (Raw data are the datum making the data points not
just small chunks of information.)

All the best,
Thomas

-- 
www.vanderwal.net

The future is mine, not Microsoft's