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Hi Clare, Though our work in analysing our information management issues and requirements we came up with the following definitions: "Data = Individual facts or pieces of information. Raw observations or measurements." "Information = A collection of data that has been organised within a context which conveys meaning following analysis of relationships and connections between data." I would say the important distinction between data and information is that data is not structured. I also think it is very important not to get hung-up over the physical format, and in reality both 'data' and 'information' are 'format agnostic'. Data is not necessarily digital in nature, and could just as easily be a scrap of paper. I'm sure the concept of data existed long before the first computers? Although I may be wrong? And will happily stand corrected if any of the brighter minds on the list disagree... Hope this helps. Kind Regards Brian ________________________________ From: The UK Records Management mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cowling Clare Sent: 29 June 2010 11:44 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: definition of "data" Hi all, I speedily need a definition of data in the modern RM context ie I don't imagine any of us see "data" any more as "Information in numerical form that can be digitally transmitted or processed" (Webster). Any suggestions? My own definition preference is that it's "information in a digital format, possibly structured", though I'm willing to drop the "structured" bit as well to make sure all digital stuff is captured. Clare Clare Cowling Senior Compliance Adviser (Information & Records Management) Corporate Governance Directorate Transport for London Windsor House, 42-50 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0TL T: 020 7126 4236 F: 020 7126 3185 E: [log in to unmask] Mobile: 07545200429 ************************************************************************ *********** The contents of the e-mail and any transmitted files are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. Transport for London hereby exclude any warranty and any liability as to the quality or accuracy of the contents of this email and any attached transmitted files. If you are not the intended recipient be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited., If you have received this email in error please notify [log in to unmask], This email has been sent from Transport for London, or from one of the companies within its control within the meaning of Part V of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Further details about TfL and its subsidiary companies can be found at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ourcompany, This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of computer viruses. ************************************************************************ *********** For any technical queries re JISC please email [log in to unmask] For any content based queries, please email [log in to unmask] ----------------------------------------- "Mae'r neges e-bost hon ac unrhyw ymgysylltiadau yn gyfrinachol, ac wedi eu bwriadu ar gyfer yr un sy'n cael ei h/enwi yn unig. Gallent gynnwys gwybodaeth freintiedig. Os yw'r neges hon wedi eich cyrraedd ar gam, ni ddylech ei chopio, ei rhannu na dangos ei chynnwys i unrhyw un. Cysylltwch efo Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy ar unwaith. Nid yw'r Cyngor na'r un sydd wedi anfon y neges yn derbyn unrhyw gyfrifoldeb am feirysau, a'ch cyfrifoldeb chi yw sganio unrhyw ymgysylltiadau. Mae’r Awdurdod yn monitro’r defnydd o e-bost/rhyngrwyd a chynnwys y rhain i ddibenion busnes. " "This email and any attachments are confidential and intended for the named recipient only. The content may contain privileged information. If it has reached you by mistake, you should not copy, distribute or show the content to anyone but should contact Conwy County Borough Council at once. Neither the Council nor the sender accepts any responsibility for viruses, and it is your responsibility to scan any attachments. The Authority monitors e-mail/internet usage and content for business purposes" To view the list archives go to: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=RECORDS-MANAGEMENT-UK To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the words UNSUBSCRIBE RECORDS-MANAGEMENT-UK For any technical queries re JISC please email [log in to unmask] For any content based queries, please email [log in to unmask]