info to science and tech
f9349f
INFOST110_Lecture2.1_Fall2018_WhatisInformation.pdf
INFOST 110: Introduction to Information Science &
Technology
Lecture 2.1: What is Information?
What is Information?
• “A collection of facts (or symbols or signs) provided with context.” (Davis & Shaw, 244)
• “Organized or structured data. This processing lends the data relevance for a specific purpose or context, and thereby makes it meaningful, valuable, useful and relevant.” (Rowley, 172)
• Bateson: “Information is a difference which makes a difference.” (Barlow, 14)
What is Information?
Wis-
dom
accumulated
Knowledge
context
Information
meaning
Data
Lester and Koehler: “Facts
are processed into data,
which are processed into
information, INFORMATION
IS INTEGRATED INTO
KNOWLEDGE.” (18)
What is Information?
Wis-
dom
Knowledge
Information
STOP
Data
What is Information?
Wis-
dom
Knowledge
Information meaning
Data
STOP English term, meaning:
•verb, to come to a halt
•noun, a spot where
something halts
•noun, something to block
movement
What is Information?
Wis-
dom
Knowledge
context
Information
Data
Image Source: http://www.americantrails.org/photoGalleries/cool/30-trail-road-crossing-signs.html
What is Information?
Wis-
dom
accumulated
Knowledge
Information
Data
Image Source: http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/2011/09/28/101-things-i-love-about-japan/
What is Information?
Another example: 1) Data: 355 ungraded multiple choice tests 2) Information: 355 graded m/c tests with an analysis
of how students did on each question 3) Knowledge: Overall, students performed better on
questions from lecture rather than from readings 4) Wisdom: This year’s information is in accord with
previous years’. There are some possible reasons for this: lectures are easier to understand than readings; students may not read, etc.
What is Information?
• Information = final stage toward gaining knowledge
• Necessary components:
– Ordering (information organization)
– Meaning (information literacy)
– Context (information fluency)
What is Information?
• Information used to make decisions from a set of given or implied alternatives
– Deliberative
• Movie reviews
• Weather forecasts
• Ultimatums
• Weather for Milwaukee, WI
– Monday
• High 75⁰
• Low 56⁰
– Slight chance of rain
Image Source: http://sweetclipart.com/colorful-rain-umbrella-548 &
http://sweetclipart.com/black-bicycle-silhouette-1341
What is Information?
• Information used to help resolve uncertainty
– Non-deliberative
• E.g.) Time & appointments
What is Information?
• Information doesn’t always become knowledge
– Context dependent…worth of information to become knowledge is different in different contexts
– Messages that deliver useful information lead to knowledge
– The flow of information
Image Source: http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Information-Studies-Understanding-Environment/dp/1555705944
Flow of Information
Shannon-Weaver Communication Model Source: Claude Shannon (1948). "A Mathematical Theory of Communication". Bell System Technical Journal 27 (July and
October): pp. 379–423, 623–656.
Flow of Information
• Shannon-Weaver Model – Characteristics
– Electronic transmission of data
– Communication is linear
– Recipient is passive receiver of information
– As long as order of words received is the same as transmission, communication occurred
– Noise may distort message
Flow of Information
• Shannon-Weaver Model
INFORMATION
Flow of Information
• Shannon-Weaver Model
INFORMATION
Noise may distort the message leading to
miscommunication; interference.
Flow of Information
• Improved Model
INFORMATION
Encoding and decoding of messages: cultural and literal;
INTERPRETATION of the message.
Flow of Information
• Improved Model
INFORMATION
Channel used to send information can make a difference;
certified mail, confirmation in person (not via txt).
Flow of Information
• Improved Model
INFORMATION
Context matters: context impacts how a message is
received, interpreted, etc.
Flow of Information
• Improved Model
INFORMATION
And, finally, FEEDBACK! Remember these as we think
about information flows; how we share information in
order to create knowledge.
What is Information?
• Data → Information → Knowledge → Wisdom
• To move: meaning, context, accumulation required
• An exchange occurring: information is transferred to pursue knowledge
• Issues involved in the transfer
-- Channel chosen
-- Feedback
– Noise
– Encoding/Decoding
– Context
Barlow’s Taxonomy of Information
• Barlow considers new trends, opportunities and concerns of the information society
– Digital information
– Distribution via the internet
– Collaborative participation
– In information society, information is harder to contain, control, keep stable
– Easy in the digital world to rip, mix, burn, share, remix, reuse
Source: http://www.cchange.net/2010/10/26/sage-spirit-talking-with-john-perry-barlow-and-stewart-brand/
Barlow’s Taxonomy of Information
• 1) Information is an activity
– A verb, not a noun
– Experienced, not possessed
– Has to move
– Propagates, not distributed
Barlow’s Taxonomy of Information
• 2) Information is a life form
– Wants to be free
– Wants to change; it is organic, not fixed
– Is perishable, should be nurtured
Image source: https://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Europe-Through-
Back/dp/1562613928
Barlow’s Taxonomy of Information
• 3) Information is a relationship
– Gains value, meaning through exchange, flows
– Familiarity is more valuable than scarcity but information can also be more valuable when exclusive
– Information only has meaning when it is shared with someone else
– Receiving information is a creative act
Summary
• Masuda thinks the information society will bring about a new form of society
• Information, to become knowledge, needs meaning and context
• Information flows are dependent on context, form, channel, etc.
• Information has to be viewed as an activity, alive, relational
Next Class…
• Wednesday: SOIS Welcome Back, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
– NWQ Backyard (on Newport & Maryland)
– Participation credit for attending
• Thursday: Fundamentals of Information Science
– Borko
– Bawden & Robinson
– The Information Machine
