Basic Insight Into Information Systems : Understanding The Concepts of Data, Facts, and Information

Bandung -- In today's fast-paced digital era, understanding data, facts, and information has become increasingly important. These three elements serve as the main foundation of information systems, widely used to support decision-making across various sectors---ranging from education and government to the business world.

The term fact originates from the Latin word faktus, meaning a reality that can be proven through sensory experience or objective observation. Facts are always verifiable and can take the form of actual data, events, habits, or information widely recognized as true. In the context of science, facts serve as the basis of interpretation and truth acknowledged by many.

However, facts cannot be separated from theory. In science, knowledge is composed of five main elements: facts, concepts, principles, laws, and theories. Facts are real events, concepts are formulations, principles show analytical relationships, laws are universal and well-tested, while theories function to explain, predict, and control phenomena. Thus, theory is not merely speculation but the result of systematic scientific processing. Theories play a crucial role as tools in science: they help define orientation, build conceptual frameworks, summarize facts, provide predictions, and highlight gaps in knowledge. The relationship between facts and theories is reciprocal---while theories summarize and predict facts, facts themselves may generate new theories, revise, or even challenge old ones.

Beyond facts, data also holds a vital role. Data can be defined as raw facts, represented in numbers, letters, images, sounds, or other symbols that require processing. It functions as the fundamental material for research, reasoning, and decision-making. Generally, data is divided into two categories: internal and external. Internal data includes organizational conditions such as finance, human resources, or production, while external data is related to outside factors such as consumers, customer preferences, or market conditions. Furthermore, data can also be classified into two types: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative data takes the form of measurable numbers, while qualitative data is expressed in words, descriptions, or categories. Both are essential in representing objects, events, or specific facts.

When data is processed, it becomes information. Information is data that has been given meaning, can be understood, and has value for its recipient. This information then forms the basis of decision-making. High-quality information carries several key characteristics: accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and the ability to reduce uncertainty in decision-making processes.

The quality of information can be measured by various aspects, including accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and presentation format. Good information must also deliver tangible benefits, such as expanding knowledge, reducing risks, and providing a solid foundation for well-directed decisions. Moreover, the quality of information is influenced by several factors, including user perspectives, availability, presentation quality, distribution speed, and the source of publication. The way information is packaged---whether in print or digital format---also plays a role in how easily it can be understood.

In practice, the need for information depends on context, frequency, level of importance, and problem complexity. Thus, selecting the right source of information becomes crucial. Experts highlight several key criteria in source selection: relevance, credibility, timeliness, objectivity, depth, and usability.

In conclusion, facts, data, and information are closely interconnected and form the very foundation of knowledge. Facts serve as the concrete basis, data acts as the raw material, and information emerges as the processed output that provides meaning. Theories then clarify the relationship between phenomena through the generalization of facts. Ultimately, high-quality information is information that is accurate, relevant, timely, and capable of supporting effective and efficient decision-making.