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According to the textbook, information is data that have context and significance.

a. true
b. false

User Jozef Izso
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The statement that information is data with context and significance is true. Data becomes valuable information when contextualized, as seen with data points like test scores or learning about historical events or scientific concepts. The importance of context is also evident in our interpretation of propositions based on repeated observations and causes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that information is data that have context and significance is true. In a broad sense, data becomes valuable information when it is interpreted and given meaning through context. This process involves relating the data to other pieces of data, understanding its implications, and deciding how it might be relevant in a certain situation. Take, for example, the simple data point '100'. Without context, we don't know what it refers to. It could be a score on a test, the temperature in degrees, or the amount of money someone has. When we add the context that ‘100’ is a test score, it now shows a performance level—a perfect score.Moreover, understanding text or any other form of information requires awareness of the context surrounding it. Reading historical documents like the Emancipation Proclamation necessitates some knowledge about the Civil War and slavery practices to fully comprehend its significance. The textbook example regarding the understanding of photosynthesis similarly requires prior knowledge about plants, cells, and chemical reactions to be meaningful.Furthermore, propositions based on sense data and reflected data can be treated as knowledge when they have been repeatedly observed and attributed to a cause, such as 'fire causes burns'. This involves both data and the context of repeated observations and understanding of causes. Hence, data provided with significant context not only conveys meaning but also transforms into reliable knowledge or information.

User Ninigi
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