Key Differences between Information and Knowledge

 

Aspect	Information	Knowledge
Definition	Data processed to be useful; provides answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when" questions.	Information combined with experience, context, interpretation, and reflection. It is a more subjective understanding and is about knowing how to apply information.
Nature	More objective and can be quantified and measured.	More subjective, often based on experiences, beliefs, and personal values.
Transfer	Easily transferable and can be documented.	Transfer requires learning and personal experience. Not easily documented.
Form	Usually, in data, facts, and organized information.	Skills, ideas, understandings, and know-how.
Dependence	Independent of the human mind. Can exist in books, databases, etc.	Dependent on human cognition and awareness. It's internal to individuals.
Stability	Relatively static. Doesn’t change unless updated.	Dynamic and continuously evolving with new experiences and insights.
Application	Often used for operational purposes, such as data analysis.	Used for decision-making and problem-solving.
Source	Often derived from data and statistics.	Derived from individual experiences, insights, and internalization.
Acquisition	Acquired through collection or dissemination.	Acquired through learning and understanding.
Representation	Can be represented in documents, databases, spreadsheets.	Often tacit, residing in the minds of people; can be represented through skills and competencies.
Scope	Generally universal and can be commonly agreed upon.	Personal and contextual; can vary from person to person.
Verification	Can be verified or validated through cross-checking.	Often requires personal judgment and context for validation.
Dependency	Can be useful on its own.	Requires information as a foundation but goes beyond it through insights and understanding.
Measurement	Can be easily measured (e.g., the number of books and articles).	Difficult to measure directly; often inferred through actions and outcomes.
Sharing	Shared through communication and information systems.	Shared through interactions, conversations, and shared experiences.
Value in Decision Making	Provides a basis for understanding situations.	Enables informed and effective decisions based on understanding.
Evolution	Changes primarily when new data is added or updated.	Evolves with personal growth, experiences, and changing perspectives.
Example	A book containing historical dates.	Understanding why certain historical events occurred based on those dates.