What is the difference between data and information
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The terms “data” and “information” are often used interchangeably, but they actually aren’t the same. Data is defined as a collection of individual facts or statistics. Information is defined as knowledge gained through study, communication, research, or instruction. Essentially, information is the result of analyzing and interpreting pieces of data. Whereas data is the individual figures, numbers, or graphs, information is the perception of those pieces of knowledge.
Data is a raw form of knowledge and, on its own, doesn’t carry any significance or purpose. In other words, you have to interpret data for it to have meaning.
Data
Data are raw numbers that we handle according to some standards agreed upon. Having consistent standards is very important since having data recorded according to different standards can be extremely problematic.
Data can come in the form of text, observations, images, figures, graphs, numbers, or symbols.
Information
Information is a collection of data points that we can use to understand something about the object being measured.
The Main Differences between Data vs. Information;
- Data is a collection of facts, while information puts those facts into context.
- Data is raw and unorganized, information is organized.
- Data, on its own, is meaningless. When it’s analyzed and interpreted, it becomes meaningful information.
- Data points are individual and sometimes unrelated. Information maps out that data to provide a big-picture view of how it all fits together.
- Data typically comes in the form of numbers, graphs, figures, or statistics. Information is typically presented through words, thoughts, language, and ideas.
- Data does not depend on information; however, information depends on data.
- Data is not sufficient for decision-making, but you can make decisions based on information.
Look details from the comparison chart:
