Information, Organisations and Society

In daily life we take data and information for granted, but they are fundamental to the continued existence and success of every system.

This unit will introduce fundamental concepts as they relate to data and information. Drawing on the student’s own experience and knowledge, they will develop an in-depth understanding of why data and information is needed; how they can be collected and created; how they can be stored, distributed and effectively presented; as well as societal implications of information use and storage.

 

Students will also learn how to make effective judgements about the quality and usefulness of information, and will explore how organisational and social relationships are changed, maintained and manipulated by the use and misuse of data and information.

 

After successfully completing this unit, students should be able to:

· Critique the relationships between data, information, knowledge, wisdom and experience;
· Analyse the characteristics of high-quality data and information;
· Justify the need for, and asses the requirements for, effective data and information security;
· Apply research skills to the collection and recording of data and information in the context of specific problems and applications;
· Apply understanding of the uses of data and information to the interpretation and use of symbol-based information;
· Apply critical and creative thinking skills to the effective use and presentation of data and information in the context of specific problems and applications;
· Debate ethical issues related to the collection and use of information
· Appraise the influence of data and information on the relationships, dynamics and sustainability of a social or organisational culture;