Fall2005+q4+answer

Fall 2005 Q 4


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Information is defined in so many ways by researchers, professionals, and users. In your essay · provide your definition(s) of information · describe the important elements of a typical information system · compare the user-centered approach with the system-centered approach**

Definitions of **information** (found through Google): Take your pick! :-) > [|en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information] > [|www.orafaq.com/glossary/faqglosi.htm] > [|dssresources.com/glossary/dssglossary1999.html] > [|www.utmb.edu/is/security/glossary.htm] > [|www.christlinks.com/glossary2.html] > [|www.cbu.edu/~lschmitt/I351/glossary.htm] > [|cedar.web.cern.ch/CEDAR/glossary.html] > [|home.earthlink.net/~ddstuhlman/defin1.htm]
 * a message received and understood
 * data: a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn; "statistical data"
 * knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction
 * Information is a term with many meanings depending on context, but is as a rule closely related to such concepts as meaning, knowledge, instruction, communication, representation, and mental stimulus.
 * Information is the result of processing, manipulating and organizing data in a way that adds to the knowledge of the person receiving it.
 * Data that has been processed to add or create meaning and hopefully knowledge for the person who receives it. Information is the output of information systems.
 * That which is extracted from a compilation of data in response to a specific need.
 * Organized data which is understood to have significance and meaning.
 * Data that have been processed and presented in a form suitable for human interpretation, often with the purpose of revealing trends or patterns.
 * Facts, concepts, or instructions; any sort of knowledge or supposition which can be communicated.
 * is organized data that has been arranged for better comprehension or understanding. What is one person's information can become an other person's data.

Important Elements of an Information System: Can be applied to print matter as well as electronic Information Systems Common (and not so common) Access Points: Common ones, title, author, keyword, subjects. Ability to impose liitations i.e. material type, dates, etc. Support Truncation, wild cards, Boolean logic. Ability to collocate data based on user criteria (i.e. grouping by subject, certain material type, etc) Simple interface: to make use easier whether a novice or information professional Usability by the user: Pleasing and understandable interface, helps, guides, For electronic Inofmraiton system, speed, relevancy (relevancy ranking) Ability to do precision searching (thesauri, controlled vocabulary, authority file) Bibliographic Control: Consistent elements included for retrieval of information. Consitency in indexing material (schema outlined and followed) – can be tweaked to serve main audience Help files, explaining the major aspects and functions of the system and its features

User Centered Approach vs. system centered approach: Interface important Useability (easy to understand directions, GUI, etc) Colloquial Approach (no library jargon) Accessability (both physical accessibility and virtual like remote access) Under the hood more important Library Jargon Taxonomies Index terms, thesauri to ensure consitency
 * User Centered Approach**
 * User Centered Approach**
 * System Centered Approach:**
 * System Centered Approach:**