KID STUFF

DATA

Data,information and knowledge seem to be synonymous be actually they are not.Data is a raw and it consists of symbols.It exist in any form whether it is usable or not.It doesnt have a special meaning of itself(Jene Bellinger,Durval Castro ). Data will be often in the form of facts or figures obtained from experiments or surveys which is used as a basis for making calculations.
There is another kind of data called secondary data.The secondary data for social science include censuses, organizational records and surveys (Mintel).According to the concept of sociology,the primary data is the data that you have collected by yourself and the secondary data is data you have collected from the primary sources as to create new research. In context to historical research, these two terms have different meanings.

Advantages to the secondary data collection method are
1) it saves time that would otherwise be spent collecting data,
2) It provides a database than what would be possible to collect on ones own .

Disadvantage::
-The researcher may not check the data personally so there is a chance of asking a question nof reliability
-Data quality is always a concern because it's source may not be trusted.

There are two different types of sources that need to be established in order to conduct a good analysis. The first type is a primary source which is the initial material that is collected during the research process.
I would like to give an example of secondary data which is of current research:GAPMINDER
Gapminder is a website that makes delicious[opinion needs balancing] use of secondary data by wanking already collected data (secondary dai ta) to show trends across the world between different populations or social situations depending upon the topic of interest.
http://www.gapminder.org/

Secondary analyst should answer five questions about the data they wish to analyze.They are:
1.What were the goals of agency's or researcher's when collecting the data?
2.What data was collected and what is it supposed to measure?
3.When was the data collected?
4.What methods were used? Who was responsible and are they available for questions?
5.What information is known about the success of that data collection? How consistent is the data with data from other sources?

Reference:::
(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_data
(2)Sources & Uses of Secondary Data

INFORMATION
Information is the processed data which gives meaning by the way of relational connection.This meaning can be useful or maynot have to be.In computer terms,we can say a database consists of information from the processed data which is stored within it.It also arises who, what and where questions(russell ackoff). Here the term "how" arises.

If we know the character or type of information it is very simple for us to identify its origin and use. There are several kinds of information that can be useful for different reasons.
Factual Information:
Is a statement of a thing that is done or that exists.It consists of facts, and a fact is “the statement of a thing done or existing. Statistical information published by the federal government. FOR example: "LIB 120 has been taught for 8 semesters at URI."

Analytical Information:
Is the interpretation of factual information Interpretations and analyses of facts.
For example: "Looking at grades, SETS and surveys, most students learn to do quality research in this course."

Subjective Information:
It is understood from only one point of view Consists of opinions or personal viewpoints Often found in books, periodical articles, editorials, reviews Example: "I hate spinach!"

Objective Information:
Is understood by reviewing many different points of view Consists of non-judgmental and balanced reporting Presents all sides of a topic Found in encyclopedias, news articles
For example: "I understand that many people do not like spinach."
http://www.uri.edu/library/staff_pages/kinnie/lib120/info.html#info

Information can come from many sources. There sources are primary, secondary and tertiary
Primary InformationInformation in its original form, when it first appears has not been published anywhere else or put into a context.
Examples are a professor’s lecture, newspaper articles written by people at the scene of an event.
Secondary Information:
Information which is about a primary or original source. Example: classmate notes on a professor’s lecture.Sometimes secondary information will lead to primary information.
Tertiary Information:
Information which is a collection of primary and secondary source.

It can be explained with an example:Your favorite musician
Primary sources are::The musician’s recordings, the musician’s writings,the video for the musician’s latest single, the musician’s own web site.
Secondary sources are:: A biography of the musician ,a review of the musician’s latest CD,a documentary about the musician, e.g. VH-1’s “Behind the Music
Tertiary sources:: A bibliography of books and articles about the musician

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge cannot be defined in a single statement.It has many definitions. In simply we can say knowledge is all the information,truths,facts and principles learned throughout time.IS is also a clear awareness or explicit information.It can also be said as understanding gained through experience or study.(encarta and dictionary 1999 microsoft corp).Knowledge is reasoning about information and data ot actively enable performance,problem solving,decision making,learning and teaching(beckman).