Data is the collection of raw facts and figures. Actually data is unprocessed, that is why data is called collection of raw facts and figures.
|Define Data and Information with Examples|
We collect data from different resources. After collection, data is entered into computer for processing. Data may be collection of words, numbers, pictures, or sounds etc.
Examples of Data
1) Student Data on Admission Forms
When students get admission in a college. They fill admission form. This form contains raw facts (data of student) like name, father’s name, address of student, obtained marks, photo graph etc.
2) Data of Citizens
During census, data of all citizens is collected. The staff will go house to house and collect data about citizens like number of persons living in a home, either they are literate or illiterate, number of children, data of each child, cast, religion, Computerized national Identity Card number, address, how many rooms and other facilities in the house etc.
3) Survey Data
Different companies collect data by survey to know the opinion of people about their product. the company’s survey staff will go house to house and interview people about the use or like / unlike their products. They also collect data about their competitor companies in a particular area.
4) Students Examination data
In examination system of a school or college, data about obtained marks of different subjects for all students is collected. Actually answer books are collected from students and marked by teachers. Teachers provide marks sheets / award lists containing data of obtained marks by all students.
Processed data is called information. When raw facts and figures are processed and arranged in some proper order then they become information.
|Define Information with Examples|
Information has proper meanings. Information is useful in decision-making. Actually we process data to convert it into information. Here are some clear easy to understand differences between data and information.
Examples of Information:
1) Student Address Labels
Stored data of students can be used to print address labels of students. these address labels are used to send any intimation / information to students at their home addresses.
2) Census Report (Total population, Literacy Rate, Male / Female ratio etc.)
Census data is used to get report/information about total population of a country and literacy rate, total population of males, females, children, aged persons, persons in different categories line cast, religion, age groups etc.
3) Survey Reports and Results
Survey data is summarized into reports/information to present to management of the company. The management will take important decisions on the basis of data collected through surveys and the reports prepared on the basis of these data.
|Explain data and information with examples|
4) Result Cards of Individual Students, Result sheets of a particular Class
In examination system collected data (obtained marks in each subject) is processed to get total obtained marks of a student. Total obtained marks are Information. It is also used to prepare result card of a student.
5) Merit List
After collecting admission forms from candidates, merit is calculated on the basis of obtained marks of each candidate. Normally, percentage of marks obtained is calculated for each candidate. Now all the candidates names are arranged in descending order by percentage. This makes a merit list. Merit list is used to decide whether a candidate will get admission in the college or not.
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