Data vs Information

The frequency of the use of the words data and information are very
high in our daily lives. Depending on the context the meanings and
use of these words differ. Both data and information are types of
knowledge or something used to attain knowledge. Though used
interchangeably, there are many differences between the meanings
of these two words.
Data refers to the lowest abstract or a raw input which when
processed or arranged makes meaningful output. It is the group or
chunks which represent quantitative and qualitative attributes
pertaining to variables. Information is usually the processed
outcome of data. More specifically speaking, it is derived from data.
Information is a concept and can be used in many domains.
Information

can

be

mental

stimulus,

perception,

representation, knowledge, or even an instruction. The examples of

data can be facts, analysis, or statistics. In computer terms,
symbols, characters, images, or numbers are data. These are the
inputs for the system to give a meaningful interpretation. In other
words, data in a meaningful form is information.
Information can be explained as any kind of understanding or
knowledge that can be exchanged with people. It can be about facts,
things, concepts, or anything relevant to the topic concerned.
The word information was derived from Latin. The verb from which
it is derived is informare, which means to instruct. It also means
giving form to an idea or fact. Data is the plural of the Latin word
datum. It can mean to give. In the realms of mathematics and

geometry, the terms data and given are very often used
interchangeably. This is how the term was derived for use in
computer realm.
If data is at the lowest level in the series, information is placed at
the next step. As an example, if you have a list on the Seven
Wonders of the World, that is a data; if you have a book giving
details about each wonder, it is information.
Data can be in the form of numbers, characters, symbols, or even
pictures. A collection of these data which conveys some meaningful
idea is information. It may provide answers to questions like who,
which, when, why, what, and how.
The raw input is data and it has no significance when it exists in
that form. When data is collated or organized into something
meaningful, it gains significance. This meaningful organization is
information.
Data is often obtained as a result of recordings or observations. For
example, the temperature of the days is data. When this data is to be
collected, a system or person monitors the daily temperatures and
records it. Finally when it is to be converted into meaningful
information, the patterns in the temperatures are analyzed and a
conclusion about the temperature is arrived at. So information
obtained is a result of analysis, communication, or investigation.
Summary:
1. Data is the lowest level of knowledge and information is the
second

level.

2. Data by itself alone is not significant. Information is significant

by

itself.

3. Observations and recordings are done to obtain data, while

analysis is done to obtain information.
Read more: Difference Between Data and Information | Difference
Between http://www.differencebetween.net/language/differencebetween-data-and-information/#ixzz4LNbJfKAn

First Things First: Data vs Information

Theres a really simple way to understand the difference between data and information. When we
understand the primary function of the item we are looking at, we quickly see the distinction
between the two.
Heres a simple way to tell one from the other:

Computers need data. Humans need information.

Data is a building block. Information gives meaning and context.

In essence, data is raw. It has not been shaped, processed or interpreted. It is a series of 1s and
zeros that humans would not be able to read (and nor would they want to). It is disorganised and
unfriendly.
Once data has been processed and turned into information, it becomes palatable to human readers.
It takes on context and structure. It becomes useful for businesses to make decisions, and it forms
the basis of progress.
While the bigger picture is slightly more complex, this gets us part way towards understanding
what data means.

Difference between Data and Information

Key difference: Data and information are interrelated. Data usually refers to raw data,
or unprocessed data. It is the basic form of data, data that hasnt been analyzed or
processed in any manner. Once the data is analyzed, it is considered as information.
Information is "knowledge communicated or received concerning a particular fact or
circumstance." Information is a sequence of symbols that can be interpreted as a
message. It provides knowledge or insight about a certain matter.

Data and information are

interrelated. In fact, they are often mistakenly used interchangeably. Data
is considered to be raw data. It represents values of qualitative or
quantitative variables, belonging to a set of items. It may be in the form
of numbers, letters, or a set of characters. It is often collected via
measurements. In data computing or data processing, data is represented
by in a structure, such as tabular data, data tree, a data graph, etc.
Data usually refers to raw data, or unprocessed data. It is the basic form
of data, data that hasnt been analyzed or processed in any manner. Once
the data is analyzed, it is considered as information.
Information is "knowledge communicated or received concerning a
particular fact or circumstance." Information is a sequence of symbols that
can be interpreted as a message. It provides knowledge or insight about a
certain matter. Information can be recorded as signs, or transmitted as
signals.
Basically, information is the message that is being conveyed, whereas
data are plain facts. Once the data is processed, organized, structured or
presented in a given context, it can become useful. Then data will become
information, knowledge.

Data in itself is fairly useless, until it is interpreted or processed to get

meaning, to get information. In computing, it can be said that data is the
computer's language. It is the output that the computer gives us.
Whereas, information is how we interpret or translate the language or
data. It is the human representation of data.
Some differences between data and information:

Data is used as input for the computer system. Information is the output of
data.

Data is unprocessed facts figures. Information is processed data.

Data doesnt depend on Information. Information depends on data.

Data is not specific. Information is specific.

Data is a single unit. A group of data which carries news and meaning is
called Information.

Data doesnt carry a meaning. Information must carry a logical meaning.

Data is the raw material. Information is the product.

Data vs Information
Since the people in the modern world use the terms data and information very often
and interchangeably at times, it is quite useful to know the difference between data
and information. There are certain terms of the English language that we take for
granted and use interchangeably without knowing the correct usage of these words.
Two such terms are data and information, used in everyday life and substituted for
one another as we please. However, there is a significant difference between the two
words which requires clarity for even those whose first language is English. Data are
the facts and statistics collected in the raw form for reference or analysis whereas
information is processed data.

What is Data?
Data is information presented in raw form for further usage. This may be presented
in an unorganized manner which may make no sense at all until organized properly.
When researchers conduct surveys, they get answers to their questions via tools

like questionnaires. These questionnaires at most times have options present as a,

b, c, etc. When compiled together these alphabets make no sense on their own till
they start referring to certain situations, answers or conditions. In computer lingo,
data is the symbols or signals that are entered as commands. What it results in is
organized information. Data on its own may be of no use till organized properly.

What is Information?
Information is processed data that becomes of use to someone as raw data on its
own does not provide the kind of information that can be used for beneficial
purposes. Information is meaningful, relevant and helps the user to develop an
understanding of the data that did not provide any coherence or certainty in what it
represented. When researchers input data and then form correlations between the
data and variables they have, this provides them with certain relationships between
variables that are known as information.

What is the difference between Data and Information?

When starting off with any research, data is the most basic form of input that a
researcher possesses that has no meaning on its own. Some data needs to be
arranged while others need to be put together with different variables to show a
coherence in results. Data can be qualitative as well as quantitative which when
arranged provides the user with information that can be used to gain knowledge or
can act as a food for thought. In computer lingo, the data that is entered into the
computer is presented in binary form, which when arranged gives an output to the
user that is of importance to the user. Such an output is, therefore, termed as
information.

Summary:

Data vs Information
Though the two terms, data and information, are used interchangeably and there
may be a certain difficulty explaining the difference between data and information.
The major distinction lies in the fact, that something that cannot be explained and is
presented as a fact is data, whereas data that can be explained is termed
information.
Data is frequently obtained as a result of observations that are recorded. For
example, the top speed of different kinds of car. On their own, these numbers will not
mean anything until they are properly listed against the name of the cars in which
case the previously present raw unorganized data becomes the organized and
meaningful information.
In Latin, data is the plural of datum. Historically and in specialized scientific fields , it
is also treated as a plural in English, taking a plural verb, as in the data were
collected and classified. In modern non-scientific use, however, it is not treated as a
plural. Instead, it is treated as a mass noun, similar to information, which takes a
singular verb. Sentences such as data were collected over a number of years are
now widely accepted in standard English.