DATA

Data is a set of raw facts and figures.

E.g. 9:00, 135/75, 10:00, 135/75, 11:00, 120/60

INFORMATION

Information is data which has been processed by the computer and given it context.

E.g.

Reading Time     Patient's BP

9:00               135/75 

10:00              135/75 

11:00              120/60

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is derived from information by applying rules to it.

E.g. The doctor can now apply their knowledge to this information. They can draw conclusions about the patient’s health and take appropriate action.

WHY CODE DATA?

· Coded data takes less effort to type in.

· Easier to validate—fewer transcription errors

· More data can be viewed on the screen.

· Less hard disk space required.

· Less storage space

HOW QUALITY INFORMATION ADDS VALUE

· Aids decision making

· To monitor progress (e.g. slow checkout till)

· Targeting of resources—leads to competitive advantage. (e.g. gap in the market - 100ml shampoo bottle)

· Spotting trends (out of fashion)

GOOD QUALITY INFORMATION IS...

· Accurate

· Complete

· Up to date

· Relevant (ice cream Alaska)

· Easy to understand

· How well targeted—give it to the right people

· Is your source reliable?

TYPES OF COST

· Time - data collection

· Financial - printers and toner

· Human Resources - pay staff to process data

PROBLEMS ENCODING DATA

· Coarsening data leads to loss of precision (less accurate).

E.g. Descriptions of criminals on a police computer system might include eye colour:

Eye colour     Code

Blue                BL

Brown            BR

Green             GR

Grey               GY

If someone had blue/green eyes, there would not be a selection for this.

This makes the information lose some of the data.

· Opinion - food (aka Value judgements)

8 POINTS  OF THE DATA PROTECTION ACT

1) Be processed within the law

2) Only be used for specific purposes

3) Be adequate, relevant and not excessive

4) Be accurate and up to date

5) Be kept for no longer than necessary

6) Be processed within your legal rights

7) Be kept secure

8) Not be transferred to countries that do not have similar data protection laws

DATA PROTECTION ENTRY

1) Purpose

2) Who?

3) What? (data sources)

4) Where? (data sources)

5) Transfers?

Data subject = me

Data user = teachers

Data controller = head teacher

Information commissioner

DATA PROTECTION ACT RIGHTS

· For a maximum fee of £10 you can see any information held about you by a company or organisation.

· You can have any data changed that is inaccurate or out of date.

· This also applies to CCTV

· You are entitled to complain to the data protection registrar if thes is not provided to you.

· You have 40 days to respond to a data protection act request

· * there are a few exeptions

DATA PROTECTION ACT RIGHTS’ EXEMPTIONS

· Where data is being held in connection with personal, family, or household affairs or for recreational use

· MI6

· Mailing list

HEALTH AND SAFETY

1) Work space analysis

Suitable workspace

Safe workspace

2) Regular breaks

3) Eye tests and glasses

4) Training

HEALTH PROBLEMS

· Problem = RSI (carpal tunnel syndrome)

· Solution = Wristpads, regular breaks

· Problem = Stress

· Solution = Help desk, up to date antivirus, regular breaks

· Problem = Neck / Back ache

· Solution = Adjustable chair, sit up straight, screen is lined up.

· Problem = Eye strain

· Solution = Eye tests, regular breaks, appropriate lighting, don’t sit too close to screen

· Problem = ELF radiation (extremely low frequency

· Solution = Don’t put a monitor in front of a window, use a blind