FOUNDATION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS: UNDERSTANDING FACTS, DATA, AND INFORMATION IN EDUCATION
SarahZakiyah Postgraduate Student at UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung
The fundamental insight into information systems includes an essential understanding of facts, data, and information, which are interrelated in forming knowledge. These three concepts serve as the foundation for managing information that is accurate, relevant, and useful, particularly in supporting the improvement of educational quality. In the digital era, many schools still face challenges such as manual recording, scattered data, and inaccurate information. This condition affects decision-making, which often becomes less effective. Therefore, understanding the relationship between facts, data, information, and their quality is crucial to developing an educational information system that is effective, efficient, and accountable.
Basic Concept of Facts
Facts are objective realities that can be verified through observation and empirical evidence. In science, facts are the main foundation for generating concepts, principles, laws, and theories. Scientific facts include phenomena that can be directly observed, such as water boiling at a certain temperature or gravity pulling objects downward. Facts differ from opinions because they have a basis in proof. In education, facts may consist of the number of students, attendance levels, or examination results. Facts collected systematically serve as essential raw materials before being processed into structured data to support the management of educational processes.
Basic Concept of Data
Data are representations of facts recorded in certain forms, whether numbers, text, images, sounds, or symbols. Data remain raw and meaningless until processed further. In the context of education, data may include students' exam scores, school financial reports, inventory of facilities, or participation rates in activities. The quality of data determines the validity of the information produced. Incomplete, biased, or inaccurate data can lead to misleading decisions. Therefore, managing data that are valid, reliable, and accurate becomes a critical requirement for establishing a trustworthy educational information system.
Basic Concept of Information
Information is the result of processing data into forms that are meaningful and useful for users. Information not only presents collections of facts but also provides a comprehensive picture of a phenomenon that supports decision-making. In education, information may include reports on students' academic progress, teacher performance evaluations, and school financial analyses. High-quality information must be accurate, relevant, complete, and delivered in a timely manner. Without good information, educational managers will face difficulties in formulating policies that meet real needs. Thus, information stands as a central pillar in realizing effective and efficient educational governance.
Scope of Information Quality
