What is “information” and why does it matter that we have a definition?

Abstract

The term information is used very commonly in everyday language. Yet many people are unaware of the definition of the term. Information is an English word which has been derived like many other English words from the Latin term informare. Information may be defined as data which is both timely and accurate and has been organized in a specific manner for an underlying objective. In addition, this data will not qualify for information if it does not relate to the meaning or the purpose for which the information is being garnered. Hence, there has to be a sense of relevance to it. The paper discusses the various definitions of the term information and highlights the need for a precise definition for the term.

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Etymology1

Defining information2

Information as compared to knowledge and life3

Quality of information4

Inherent information quality5

Pragmatic Information Quality5

Information Literacy5

Complexity of information6

Why is there a need for definition of information?7

Conclusion8

References9

What is “information” and why does it matter that we have a definition?

Introduction

The term information is used very commonly in everyday language. Yet many people are unaware of the definition of the term. This is so because the definition of the terms varies with the context in which it is being used. Hence, there is a need to come up with a precise definition of the term. Information exists in many forms and types and can be attained through various sources. For instance, it can be a system, a sign or even an event. The only two important pre-requisites for information is the transmission and receipt. The most common fields where information is used as a terms include communication, information technology, psychology, perception, education and medicine (Ferguson, 2011).

The paper discusses the various definitions of the term information and highlights the need for a precise definition for the term.

Etymology

Information is an English word which has been derived like many other English words from the Latin term Information. The term is a noun which has its roots in the Latin word informare. Informare means to inform. There are different ways in which a person can inform. You can teach a person, you can discipline a person, you can share with him what is on your mind and you can even instruct a person (Costa, 2005). These make up the different modes of information dissemination. The term information is closely linked with the term idea. It also has influence of the Greek language. The Greek word morphe means the shaping of ideas. The term has been used to describe the essence of something by Plato. It has also been used by Aristotle in the context of proposition and concept.

Defining information

Many practitioners around the world have made tremendous efforts to define information. Most of the work that has been carried out in defining information is academic in nature. The most precise definition of information should be something that encapsules the information phenomenon and provides a precise description of ...