2. The underpinning of Knowledge

Information is the underpinning of knowledge

The difference between information and knowledge is certainty - Information is largely based on fact that cannot be disputed (as long as the data is correct).

However, Knowledge is based on probabilities - what are the chances of a course of action being the best alternative, given a set of information....

The reason for this uncertainty is that there are many possible outcomes for a given set of information.

Consider the scenario:

Information: It is particularly windy and cold today

Information: It has not rained for two weeks

Information: It is November

 

Knowledge: It is likely that it is going to rain today given the above information.

Summary:

Data is the the collection of raw measurements

Information is the result of processing raw data

Knowledge is a conclusion of what to do when a particular set of information presents itself.