ASSIGNMENT 2
DUE DATE: 28 AUGUST 2026
, INS3702 ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2/2026
DUE 28 AUGUST 2026
QUESTION 1
Introduction
Information plays a vital role in how universities understand and support their students.
However, information does not exist in its raw form alone - it goes through a process of
transformation before it becomes useful for decision-making. This discussion explores
the relationship between data, information, knowledge and wisdom, using the university
scenario as a practical example.
The Relationship between Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom
Data refers to unprocessed facts and figures that have little meaning on their own. In
the university scenario, raw data includes student demographic details, course
participation records, library usage statistics, assessment results, and engagement with
online learning materials. The INS3702 study guide explains that "data symbols have
little use: they only serve a purpose once they are converted into information" (INS3702
Study Guide 2017:19). For example, a list of student marks alone does not tell the
university much - it is simply a collection of numbers.
Information is created when raw data is processed, organised, and given meaning
within a specific context. The study guide defines information as "data that has meaning
within a context meaning has been added through interpretation" (INS3702 Study Guide
2017:19). In the university scenario, the raw student data becomes information when it
is analysed to identify academic performance patterns. For instance, when the