INTRODUCTION
TO
COMPUTERS
TRANSFORMING DATA
INTO INFORMATION
Lubna1 Mee
Lubna.meer@yahoo.com
Transformation of data into
Information
We have already considered what is often called the
data processing cycle.
Data Processing Information
This diagram represents this activity and shows how data
collected or gathered will need to be processed into
information
Transformation of data into
Information
In reality the transformation of data into
information is much more complex than the
diagram shows.
Input: Transforming Data into
Information
Key Terms
Command– A type of input that tells the program what
to do.
Confirmation– A message that indicates if the command
was or was not carried out.
Keyboard– Enables the user to input characters.
Pointing device– Enables the user to move an on–screen
pointer.
Speech-recognition– A program that enables the
computer to transcribe spoken words into text.
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Processing: Transforming Data
into Information
Key Terms
Central processing unit (CPU)– The computer’s
processing circuitry. It is also called a
microprocessor.
Chip– A wafer of silicon that contains a complex
electronic circuit.
Motherboard– The computer’s main circuit board.
Memory– Chips that store program instructions.
Random access memory (RAM) is the most
important type.
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Output: Displaying the
Information
Key Terms
Monitors– Display processing results on a screen.
Cathode ray tube– Monitor similar to televisions.
Flat-panel displays (LCD)– Monitor that uses liquid crystal diodes.
Speakers– Enable the user to hear the results of
sound processing.
Printers– Generate output on paper.
Impact printers– Print heads strike a ribbon to produce an image.
Nonimpact printers– Transfer the image to the paper.
• Inkjet printers
• Laser printers
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Copyright © 2003 Prentice Hall, Inc NEX
Transformation of data into
Information - Collection
Data can be collected in many ways. It can be collected
physically, in paper form or electronically through a
computer. The following are data collection techniques:
Application form (for a job, library card, credit card etc)
Registration form – (for a course)
Questionnaire – (you might create one or be asked to complete one)
Interview (this could be recorded on paper or using an electronic device
such as a tape recorder or video camera)
Observation (where you watch to gain information)
Discussion (where you gain information through participation)
Transformation of data into
Information - Storage
Once the data has been collected, it will need to be organised in some
way so that it can be stored. Failure to organise data successfully could
lead to difficulties in processing and manipulating the data.
Data can be stored electronically in files, in paper-based archives such
as A4 folders or on video tape or cassette. How data is stored is
important not only in terms of how it will later be used but also how it
will be protected.
The main advantage of data stored electronically is that it can be copied
and stored elsewhere. At St Clement’s we do this by taking regular
‘back-ups’ of all the data stored on the network. We do this so that
should we have a system failure, we can still go back to the ‘back-up’ to
retrieve data stored.
Transformation of data into Information –
Processing & Manipulation
How data is processed will depend on the data type (what it is) and also
what the data will be used for.
Numerical data may need to be used to carry out calculations, it may
need to be stored and manipulated. This can easily be done using
software such as Microsoft Excel (spreadsheets).
Text based data can be processed by sorting or categorising it (schools
sort students in classes alphabetically). This is usually done with records
in a database (Microsoft Access)
Transformation of data into Information –
Retrieval
Once the data has been manipulated, it needs to be retrieved. Database
information is retrieved using filters and queries. Information will be
searched using key words and he relevant information copied and
pasted into the relevant documents. (an example of this at St Clements
is when teachers input comments into a database program and this
information is then retrieved and copied and pasted into the student
reports)
Transformation of data into Information –
Presentation
All information that has been retrieved from a system must be
presented.
There is many different types of presentation software available today
the following table highlights some of the software that can be used to
help you present information
Transformation of data into Information –
Presentation
Software manufacturer Application purpose
Microsoft Word Word-processing package for presenting text
Corel Wordperfect Word-processing package for presenting text
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet package for working with and
presenting numbers, charts and graphs
Trius Inc As Easy As Similar to Excel but requires an MS-DOS operating
system
IBM Lotus 1-2-3 A third spreadsheet package
Microsoft Publisher Presentation package used to create leaflets,
newsletters, advertisements, menus, business cards
etc
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation software used to create slide shows,
often used to present information to large groups of
people
Harvard Graphics Advanced An alternative to PowerPoint
Presentations
OpenOffice A multi-platform open-source free product that has
some similarities to Microsoft Office
Transformation of data into
Information – Presentation
Whichever software is used to present information,
the user should endeavour to make the information
as professional as possible!!!!!
