Hello dear computer students, welcome back to today's episode of our consistent computertraining session. Hope you do benefit from today's lecture.
Today, we would be deeply go into the concept of data and Information.
COURSE OUTLINE
• Meaning of data
• Types of data
• Sources of data
• Meaning of Information
• Reasons for Information
• Sources of Information
• Qualities of good information
• Information transmission
• Electronic and Non - Electronic Machine
• Modes of receiving Information
• Evolution of Information Communication Technology (ICT)
• Computer with Information Communication Technology
Whoa, the class is going to be a long one but it's really going to be fun. Let's dive into the business of the day
MEANING OF DATA
Data is defined as a piece or material of raw facts representing people, objects, events etc. Which are unprocessed and cannot create any understanding.
Data is the plural of the word datum (Singular). Examples of data are name of employer, hours worked, hourly rate, department etc. It can also be letters of alphabets, numbers, the combination of both ( alphanumeric).
TYPES OF DATA:
Data can be categorized in four ways:
(a) External/ Environmental Data:
These are data relating to social, political and economic factors In any business organization.
(b) Competitive Data:
This type of data embraces details with regards to the past performance of main competitors, their present activities and future plans.
(c) Qualitative and Quantitative data:
This type of data relates to quality control, levels of performance, cost, overhead profit and losses. Financial strengths and weakness relating to cask flow and lines of credit.
(d) Organizational and internal Data:
This type of data relates to manpower levels, structure of the department, duties of personnel etc.
SOURCES OF DATA AND INFORMATION
Data and Information comes from sources both inside and outside an organization. Data sources is the method and techniques used to gather Data. The methods of data gathering varies from individual to individual or organizations to organizations.
(a) External Sources of Data Collection:
These Are Data gathered outside the company's operational area that we have good and adverse effects on the smooth operation of the organisation. For example, a company's tax specialist we will be expected to gather information about changes in tax law and how this will affect the company. Marketing managers needs to know opinion and buying attitudes of potential customers. To obtain these data they might carry out market research exercise.
(b) Internal Sources of Data Collection:
Gathering data from inside the organisation involves;
(i) Establishing a system for collecting and measuring data e.g sales cost, cash receipt and payments, accept and purchases. In other words there must be established procedures for what data is collected ( how frequently, by whom, by what method. And how it is processed and communicated.
(ii) Relying to some extent an informal communication of information between manager and staff.
(iii) communication between managers and directors.
MEANING OF INFORMATION
Information is fact and opinions provided or received during the course of our daily life. Information is simply define as a result obtained from raw data processied in a computer.
Information is processed data. it is the meaning derived from data after being processed. This could be a new form of annual report and accounts.
REASONS FOR THE USE OF INFORMATION
(i) To assist management in their planning, decision making, supervising, treating and controlling tasks. This task can be performed well only when based on timely, accurate and complete information on the main activities of an organisation.
(ii) To satisfy legal requirements. it is a well-known fact that the requirement of all levels of government for the reporting of business and industrial data have been steadily expanded e.g. New legislation on health, employment regulations, business registration.
(iii) To standardized data collection procedure
(iv) To produce necessary working papers at low cost while maintaining high standards of accuracy.
(v) To the meat occasional reviews of the organisational methods and procedures by those concerned.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Information concerning an organisation can be gathered both inside and outside. The method of information gathering varies from individual to individual and from organisation to organisation. It can be true radio or written Media. Gathering information from inside the organisation involves;
(i) establishment of an institutional method of gathering information. For example in the federal and state ministry of Education, the technique istro annual national School census and the sources are from educational institutions in the country.
(ii) relying to some extent an informal communication of information between managers and staff.
(iii) a company's Information officer sing our wishes to gather information about the changes in the operational law enacted that may affect the operation and management of the company. For example the handover of schools law enacted by The Rivers State lawmakers.
QUALITIES OF GOOD INFORMATION
The attributes or characteristics of a good information are as follows;
(i) Accuracy: the information gathered must be accurate and precise. This implies that a good information must be correct and straight to the point. It must be free from error
(ii) Relevant: it must be relevant or good enough for it's purpose. This refers to the appropriateness or how will the information related to the user. It must be relevant to the matter at hand.
(iii) Comprehensiveness: it must be complete otherwise it will mislead the decision of the management to the matter at hand.
(iv) Clarity/ Suitable: one of the qualities of a good information is that it must be free from ambiguity. It must be understandable.
(v) Timely: it must come at the right time. Related information has no meaning to made into an individual or organisation that needed it.
INFORMATION TRANSMISSION
Information transmission is the act of transmitting or sending information from one person or place to the other. Without adequate exchange of information the entire world would have been in confusion. information transmission is one effective method used in passing of knowledge and skills from one generation to the other.
METHODS OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION
The various method of transmitting information are grouped into two:
- the ancient or early man methods of transmitting information e.g. Beating drums, fire lighting etc
- the modern methods of transmitting information e.g. Mobile phone, Radio etc.
ELECTRONIC AND NON-ELECTRONIC MACHINE
electronic devices are those machine powered by minute amount of electric produced by electrons. Do you contain transistors silicon chips or valves that control electric current. Computers, televisions, radio are all examples of electronic machines.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion we have been able to see what the meaning of data is. We have also been able to see the meaning of information, qualities of information and several information transmission methods.
Hope you enjoyed today's lecture? See you next time!