1.1_1.2 Data information & Quality of Information.pptx

AS level - Information Technology
1.1 Data and information
1.2 Quality of information

1. Chapter 1- Data processing and Information 1.1 Data and information 1.2 Quality of information

2. Learning Objectives Difference between Data and information Uses of Direct and indirect data and their suitability for given purposes Sources of Direct and Indirect Data Static and Dynamic Information sources Advantages and disadvantages of Sources of data and information Factors that affect the quality of informations

3. What is data? The concept of data is commonly referred to as ‘raw’ data – a collection of text, numbers and symbols with no meaning. Data therefore has to be processed, or provided with a context, before it can have meaning. Example • 3, 6, 9, 12 • cat, dog, gerbil, rabbit, cockatoo • 161.2, 175.3, 166.4, 164.7, 169.3

4. What is information? Data + Meaning = Information Example Only when we assign a context or meaning does the data become information. It all becomes meaningful when we are told: • 3, 6, 9 and 12 are the first four answers in the 3 x table • cat, dog, gerbil, rabbit, cockatoo is a list of household pets • 161.2, 175.3, 166.4, 164.7, 169.3 are the heights of 15-year-old students.

5. Data processing Data is input , stored , and processed by a computer so that usable information can be generated as output .

6. Direct and indirect data Direct data Collected for a specific purpose or task Used for that purpose only. It is Also known as ‘ original source data ’. Indirect data obtained from a third party used for a different purpose to that which it was originally collected for.

7. Direct data sources Direct data sources are sources that provide the data gatherer with original data. Includes: Questionnaires Interviews Observation Data Logging.

8. Questionnaires Consists of a set of questions, usually on a specific subject or issue. The questions are designed to gather data from those people being questioned. A questionnaire can be a mixture of closed questions (choose one or more answers from those provided) and open- ended questions (you can write in your answers in more detail). Easy to distribute, complete and collect Can be paper- based or digital

9. Interviews A formal meeting, usually between two people Interviewer asks questions and interviewee answers those questions. Interviews are used to collect data about a topic Interviews can be structured (questions with defined choice of answers) or unstructured (no pre- set list of answers – opportunity for interviewees to expand on answers)

10. Observation The data collectors watch what happens in a given situation. The observer collects data by seeing for themselves what happens, rather than depending on the answers from interviewees or the accuracy of completed questionnaires.

11. Data logging Data logging means using a computer and one or more sensors to collect data. Collected data is analysed (using special software), saved and the results are output (as graphs and charts ) Data logging systems can gather and display data as an event happens The data is usually collected over a period of time, either continuously or at regular intervals , in order to observe particular trends. Data logging is used in monitoring systems for collecting information faster and accurately than a human could, Can be used for collecting data in hazardous circumstances Examples of data: temperatures , sound frequencies , light intensities , electrical currents , and pressure

12. Indirect data sources Indirect data sources are third- party sources that the data gatherer can obtain data from. Includes: Electoral register Businesses collecting data from third parties Census data

13. Electoral register Also referred to as the electoral roll is a list of adults who are entitled to vote in an election. They contain information such as name , address , age and other personal details ‘ Open’ versions of the register can be purchased and used for any purpose. Open versions may have limited information, as individuals are often allowed to remove some details from that version The personal data in the register must always be processed in a way that complies with the country’s data protection laws .

14. Businesses collecting data from third parties Businesses collect a great deal of personal information from third parties, such as their customers , and data brokers . Users/customers often enter personal information on business websites in order to access services. They may also agree to the business sharing their information with other organisations. Data brokers collect and analyse sensitive personal information of internet users( by following their internet, social media, and mobile phone activity) and sell to advertisers and other organisations without the individual’s knowledge.

15. Example 1: Online shop An online shop stores your email address and details of items you have bought. They use this data to help with their stock control and to send you an order confirmation. This is direct or original source data . But then they might sell your data (email address) to a similar company (with your permission). This second company might then email you with a list of related items you might be interested in (indirect data). For example, you buy a computer game from one online company, then an email arrives from a different company asking if you would like to buy a strategy book for the game .

16. Example 2: Weather data Data loggers are set up all over the country to measure local weather conditions. All this data is gathered together by the 'Met office' to allow weather forecasts to be made. ( Direct or original source data ) But this 'data set' may also be purchased by a local business who wants to see how sales of their ice-cream relates to the weather. This information is used to plan ice-cream production ahead of time. ( indirect data )

17. Advantages & Disadvantages of Direct sources

18. Advantages & Disadvantages of Indirect sources

19. Static information source Static information source means it is unlikely to be changed or updated for a significant amount of time. Examples Encyclopedia which has been produced on a DVD. Once the encyclopedia has been written and checked for accuracy it probably will not be updated again for at least a year. So once the DVD has been made the data will not change - it will be static. Books and newspapers are other examples of static information sources.   Businesses produce accounts each year to show their income, expenditure and profits. Once the accounts have been finalised they will be printed and put into the annual company report. Data collected by the Government for the ten year population census will show a snapshot picture of the country at a particular period in time.

20. Static Information sources

21. Dynamic information sources 'Dynamic' is characterised by continuous change, activity or progress. Examples BBC news web site - it is changed throughout the day as news stories happen around the world. App on Smart phones. For example you can get an app to monitor stock prices. It is updated minute by minute. R eal-time traffic updates linked to your Sat-Nav. You subscribe to a traffic monitoring service which then sends the latest information into your navigation system. People traveling by air can make use of dynamic information sources at airports. They can see a real-time list of all flights which are due to arrive and depart. Delays and cancellations are displayed as soon as information becomes available.

22. Dynamic Information sources

23. Quality of information Factors that affect the quality of information: Accuracy Relevance Age Level of detail Completeness of the information How to remember: ARALC or CLARA

24. Accuracy Data must be accurate in order to be considered of good quality free from errors and mistakes Accuracy of the data collected before processing can affect accuracy of the resulting information If the original data is inaccurate then the resulting information will also be inaccurate

25. Relevance Information must be relevant to its purpose The information must meet the intended user’s needs Information that is overly detailed than is necessary, lacks relevance Having additional information that is not required means that the user has to search through the data to find what is actually required.

26. Age Information must be up to date in order to be useful Most information tends to change over time and inaccurate results can arise if not updated regularly Information that is not up- to- date can lead to people making the wrong decisions.

27. Level of detail There needs to be the right amount of information for it to be useful Too much detail can make it difficult to find the exact information required Not enough details will make it impossible to use the information correctly

28. Completeness of information High quality information needs to be complete Information that is complete deals with all relevant aspects of a problem. All information that is required to address the problem must be provided

29. Assessment