What is the difference between data and information?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the definitions and distinctions between data and information across various fields of study. Participants share personal interpretations and examples to illustrate their points, focusing on the transformation of data into information and the subjective nature of information processing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that data becomes information only after being analyzed through statistical algorithms, suggesting that the informativeness of data can vary based on statistical significance (P-value).
  • Another participant humorously states that while "24, 36, 38" is data, "38, 24, 36" is information, implying a perspective on the arrangement of data points affecting their interpretation.
  • A different participant claims that data is a subset of information, arguing that the term "raw data" is redundant.
  • One participant reflects on the evolution of terminology from "data processing" to "information technology," asserting that data is objective while information requires human understanding, thus introducing a subjective element.
  • References to Richard Dawkins' "The Information Challenge" are made, suggesting a broader context for the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between data and information, with no consensus reached on definitions or interpretations. Some perspectives emphasize the objective nature of data, while others highlight the subjective interpretation of information.

Contextual Notes

Participants' definitions and interpretations may depend on their specific fields of study, and the discussion does not resolve the nuances of these terms or their applications.

Adam
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I am interested in reading definitions/differences for data and information from various fields fo study. Anything you've got from your own field or another would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Well, the following is just my interpretation related to my work:

I can collect tons of data and have no information at all when I analyze the state of markers along the genome.

The data only becomes information to me when I pass it through statistical algorithms, which will tell me if there is an underlying pattern to the data, thus giving me information. Then there are still different levels of informativeness, based on the P-value that comes with the data-points.
 
24, 36, 38 is data.

38, 24, 36 is information!
 
Originally posted by mmwave
Naughty, naughty.

But when you're right, you're right.
 
Originally posted by selfAdjoint
24, 36, 38 is data.

38, 24, 36 is information!

Just for data, the information is 90-60-90...SI!
 
Originally posted by Mr. Robin Parsons
Just for data, the information is 90-60-90...SI!
Those are the female measurements?
 
Data is a subset of information, ie it is unprocessed or un-interpreted information. "Raw data" would then be redundant.
 
Richard Dawkin's "The Information Challenge"...

http://www.skeptics.com.au/journal/dawkins1.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I used to work in "Data processing", then as the years went by it became "Information processing" and now it's "Information technology" or IT.

My very personal take is that data is objective, everyone can agree that there's a 3 in such and such column of a particular file.

Information, however requires human understanding, and is therefor at least a little bit subjective. What does that 3 "mean" to different people?
 

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