10.1 Knowledge, Information & Data

Specification Content/Learning Outcomes

Knowledge, Information and Data looks at what we understand by the terms knowledge, information and data and how they are used in the context of ICT. It also looks at where data comes from, the need for coding it to save space and the problems this causes.
  • Understand the distinction between knowledge, information and data.
     
  • Information has context and its meaning is determined by the context.
     
  • Understand the nature of data: recorded facts, events or transactions.
     
  • Understand the different ways in which data can arise: (direct capture or as a by-product of another operation).
     
  • Describe the effect of the quality of the data source on the information produced.
     
  • Understand the need to encode information as data.
     
  • Understand the problems associated with the coding of value judgements.

Resources - Knowledge, Information & Data

Key to resources: PowerPoint presentation Word file Acrobat file
  Internet resource        

 

Resource

Type

Size

 Notes
Knowledge, Information & Data 1

n/a Alcester Grammar School links covering this topic
Knowledge, Information & Data 2

70Kb Notes from David Yates.
Knowledge, Information & Data 3

113Kb Short PowerPoint presentation based on Heathcote Ch.1
Knowledge, Information & Data 4

116Kb PowerPoint presentation from Chris Brown
Knowledge, Information & Data Links

n/a Greenwood School. Scroll down to the relevant links in 10.1

Add/suggest new resources - Click here to suggest new resources relevant to this topic. Do NOT add attachments e.g. Word documents to your suggestions as these will be discarded.

Reading - Knowledge, Information & Data

Texts other than Heathcote can be found in the ICT section of the Library Resource Centre.

Key to reading: Heathcote - Core Text Internet resource Other book
  Handout/worksheet        

 

Reading

Type

Size

 Notes
Knowledge, Information & Data

n/a Heathcote Ch.8 Pages 5 - 6
Data

n/a Heathcote Ch.43 Pages 238 - 242
Knowledge, Information and Data

n/a Doyle Ch.1 Pages 1 - 15
Notes on Data

n/a De Watteville & Naughton Pages 257 - 259
Knowledge, Information & Data

n/a Steve Longley's excellent notes. Allow the page to load fully.
Data, Information & Knowledge

n/a Notes from University of Wales College. Includes a test!
Data Sources

29Kb Handout from Alcester Grammar School
Encoding Data

54Kb Handout from Alcester Grammar School

Practice questions/homework - Knowledge, Information & Data

Key to questions: Past exam question Heathcote question

Other question
  FatMax assignment Smokin' Dog assignment

 

Reference

Type

Size

 Question
1. January 2001 ICT1 Question 1

n/a Three components of an Information Processing System are input, processing and output. State what is meant by:
  • input
  • processing
  • output

and give an example of each one.
(6 marks)
2. January 2001 ICT1 Question 2

n/a When incorrect bills are sent to customers, an organisation often gives the reason as “The computer got it wrong”. Using an example, give a more likely explanation.
(4 marks)
3. May 2001 ICT1 Question 1

n/a Explain what is meant by Information and Communication Technology.
(3 marks)
4. May 2001 ICT1 Question 2

n/a The expression “Garbage in, garbage out”, or “GIGO”, is often used in connection with information processing systems. Explain, using an example, what is meant by this expression.
(4 marks)
5. Homework questions from David Yates

n/a 1. With the aid of an example, describe one problem which may arise when coding a value judgement
(2 marks)

2. A telephone company collects telephone numbers of people who receive calls through a friends and family scheme. Under this scheme, subscribers receive discounts on phone calls to the numbers they dial most frequently. The customer has to inform the telephone company which numbers are to be included in their Friends and Family list.

(a) Describe briefly one way in which the telephone company could use this data to their advantage. (2)

(b) How can the telephone company keep their data up-to-date and accurate? (2)
(4 marks)

3a) Describe briefly what is meant by data, information and knowledge, giving examples of each (6)

(b) Describe briefly three ways in which data can be or become of poor quality (3)
(9 marks)

4.  Information processing is concerned with:

  • Input
  • Processing
  • Output
  • Feedback

(a) Briefly describe these four elements of information processing, using a diagram to illustrate your answer (8)

(b) Explain the difference between Knowledge and Information (6)
(14 marks)

5.  Many market research firms use questionnaires as a means of gathering raw data for companies, about the popularity of their products.

(a)  Explain why Information Technology is widely used in Market Research  (4)

(b) Once the data has been collected, it can be used to give the client information about their products.  Explain the difference between information and data in this context.  (4)
(8 marks)
6. January 2002 ICT1 Question 1

n/a Explain, using examples, the following terms as they are applied within ICT:
(a) Data; (2)
(b ) Information; (2)
(c) Knowledge. (2)
(6 marks)
7. Heathcote question about data collection

n/a What is meant by direct and indirect sources of data.  Give an example of each and describe the purposes for which the data is used in each case. 
(4 marks)
8. NEAB 1997 IT01 Question 2

n/a Travelling sales representatives working in the UK can make extensive use of company credit cards to pay for goods and services.  A company credit card is one that is issued by a company to its representative.  All charges and information relating to each transaction are sent directly to the company. 

(a) List four items of data which are captured each time the card is used  (4)

(b) Other than payment information, suggest one other potential use for the information which can be derived from this data.  (2)
(6 marks)

 

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