Section 1: Data vs.

Information
Objectives
Distinguish between data and information and provide examples of each Describe and give an example of how data becomes information

Vocabulary
Directions: Identify the vocabulary word for each definition below. 1. A collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval. An interface for issuing commands to a computer utilizing a pointing device, such as a mouse, that manipulates and activates graphical images on a monitor. Raw material, from which you can draw conclusions Knowledge, intelligence, a particular piece of data with a special meaning or function

2.

3. 4.

Try It / Solve It
1. List specific data that the school collects about each student. What information could be gathered using all the student data? 2. Review an online database such as: http://www.archives.gov http://www.ellisislandimmigrants.org http://newdeal.feri.org/index.htm http://www.pro.gov.uk/ http://nationalarchives.nic.in/ a. Write examples of data and information related to the site you choose. b. State why you believe data collections of this type could be important.

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3. Choose a website, find 10 data items on the site and list 5 pieces of information that could be gleamed from the data.

4. Give examples of how data becomes information for these two industries: film/movie, hospital/healthcare. 5. Name all the different kinds of information that appear on the Lunch Room Data Report. Date 12/02/03 12/03/03 12/04/03 12/05/03 12/06/03 Student Sales 497 440 447 442 330 Faculty/Staff Sales 23 19 30 27 12 Hamburger/Taco Bar 335 285 301 325 229 Pizza Bar 122 126 126 107 83 Soup/Salad Bar 63 48 50 37 30

a. What does this report mean? b. What data was collected? c. What information does this table provide? d. How do you think these data are used? e. Generate at least two conclusions based on the data provided. f. Generate at least two questions that you would ask about the data provided.

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