Re: Information, Data, taxonomy of knowing

[Al Viswanathan <alv1@gte.net>]

"Van Putten, Dirk [ETP/SAN]" wrote on September 5, 2003:
 
> What is the difference between "information" and "data"? We looked up these
> words in dictionaries. We are still trying to understand if there is a
> function/operational difference with these two words.
> 
> The best we have come up with is:
> 
> Data - a collection of facts
> Information - knowledge communicated concerning a particular fact
> 

A few years back Russell Ackoff gave the following definitions. He
titled it "Types of content of the mind":

DATA: . Symbols that represent objects, events and/or their properties.

INFORMATION: . Data that has been processed to be useful.
                                    . The content of descriptions -
answers to such questions as begin with 'who,
                                      when, where, what, and how many'.

KNOWLEDGE: . The content of instructions - answers to 'how' questions.

UNDERSTANDING: . The content of explanations - answers to 'why' questions.

WISDOM: . Information, knowledge, and understanding evaluated in terms
of long-run
                         as well as short-run consequences - focus on
effectiveness versus efficiency.

Ackoff also related 'Information, Knowledge, and Understanding' to doing
things right. He related 'Wisdom' to doing the right things.

I will not be surprised if he might have updated these at a later date,
but I am not aware of it .
Hope this is helpful.

Al Viswanathan
alv1@gte.net
425-747-7575