Informatics: Data, Information, and Processing

Vocabulary flashcards covering core informatics concepts including data versus information, processing activities, manipulation types, and structured data categories.

Data

Raw facts or observations about physical processes or business transactions.

Information

Processed data provided in a useful form and appropriate context for the end user to solve an information problem.

Activities of processing data into information

The five main activities: data collection, data conversion, data manipulation, storage and retrieval, and output and transmission.

Data collection

The process where data is created as a result of an event, transaction, or observation, and persisted in a usable form.

Direct registration

The direct entry of data into a computer system by the user, which reduces errors compared to secondary transcription by an assistant.

Code

An alphanumeric combination that appropriately identifies an object from the real world, such as a product, employee, or student.

Classification (categorization)

The formation of groups of objects that possess similar characteristics to facilitate later organization and analysis.

YY-SSS-xxxxx structure

A unique faculty number format where $YY$ is the admission year, $SSS$ is the specialty or field code, and $xxxxx$ is the serial number.

Data verification

Checking classified data for accuracy against defined rules, such as verifying grade ranges between $2.00$ and $6.00$.

Data manipulation

The set of core actions performed on data, consisting of sorting, calculation, aggregation, and comparison (including filtering).

Sorting

Arranging data into a sequence corresponding to the value of a specific feature to make it easier to read and comprehend.

Calculation

Arithmetic manipulations performed on data—such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—to generate new data.

Aggregation (summarizing)

Reducing the level of detail of data to produce a shorter, easier-to-use form by accumulating group values or selecting essential items.

Data comparison

Performing a logical calculation or evaluation with respect to a predetermined measure or criterion.

Filtering

A form of comparison designed to isolate only the data relevant to solving a user's current information problem from a larger dataset.

Extraction (retrieval, querying)

The operation of locating or recovering stored data or information so that it can be processed further.

Reproduction

The process of copying or duplicating stored data and information to prevent loss.

Structured data

Data with a predefined length and format that follows data models, is stored in databases, and makes up roughly $20\%$ of all data.

Semi-structured data

Data that does not follow strict relational tabular formats but contains structural markers, such as XML, JSON, email, and web pages.

Unstructured data

Data that lacks a predefined conceptual structure or schema, including audio, video, image files, and natural language documents.

Machine-generated data

Data created automatically by a machine without human intervention, such as sensor outputs and RFID marker readings.

Man-generated data

Data supplied directly by human users through their interaction with computers and software systems.