HOW DATA IS PROCESSED INTO INFORMATION (JS1 1ST TERM)

 HOW DATA IS PROCESSED INTO INFORMATION

Information/Data Processing:

Data processing is the term given to the collection of items or source data and converting them into information.

It involves collection of raw facts and working on it to become information.

Such data could be number of children in a school, the number of hospitals in a town.

There are several methods of processing data into information.

Some of the methods are listed below:

1.  Manual method: using handwriting

2. Mechanical method: using a machine, using electricity

3. Electronic method: using computer.

Data Processing Stages

 

 

 

 

The following ways of processing data into information are explained:

ð Calculating: This is the step where calculations are done, that is, performing arithmetic or logical operation on data.

ð Sorting: This means arranging data in orderly manner, alphabetically, or numerically. Sorting can be ascending (from the beginning to the end) or descending (from the end to the beginning) order.

ð Classifying: Here, the data is organized in a defined order. That is, grouping of data or information for easy processing.

ð Summarizing: This is the step where all the classified data is prepared accordingly. It will be checked and data will be made simple enough for interpretation.

ð Translating: The summarized data is further translated or interpreted into a simple form.

ð Editing: This is an act of adding or deleting some part of the information to make update.

Qualities of good information

1.  Relevance: It must be suitable for the purpose it is required for.  

2.  Accurate: It must be free from errors   

3.  Availability: It should be easy to obtain or access   

4.  Timely: It should be available at the right time   

5.  Comprehensive/Completeness: It should contain all necessary details 

6.  Reliability: It should come from a reliable source.

7. Clarity: It must be expressed in a simple form for others to understand.

8.  It must be trustworthy

9.  It must not be costly than its worth.

Difference between Data and Information

 

Data	Information
1.  Raw facts	1.  Processed data
2.  Unorganized array of elements	2.  Arranged element
3.  Unanalyzed sets of element	3.  Analyzed element
4.  It makes no meaning	4.  It is meaningful