Fundamentals of Data Science for Future Data Scientists

Abstract

Data have been frequently discussed along with two other concepts: information and knowledge. However, the concept of data seems less ambiguous than that of information or knowledge. Data are considered to be symbols, or raw facts which have not yet been processed (Ackoff, 1989; Coronel, Morris, & Rob, 2012, p.5). In contrast, information has a number of different definitions, such as information as a thing, something informative, a process, or equivalent to knowledge (Buckland, 1991; Losee, 1997; Saracevic, 1999; Madden, 2000). Knowledge also does not have an agreed-upon definition. Davenport and Prusak (1998) viewed knowledge as “a fluid mix of framed experience, values, contextual information, and expert insight that provides a framework for evaluating and incorporating new experiences and information.” (Davenport & Prusak, 1998, p.5).