Difference between Knowledge and Information - Nature, Impact, and More

Knowledge and information are different in many ways. There may still be confusion between the two terms in contexts specific to formal communication. Knowing the difference between knowledge and information will help when you are prepping for your NET, B Ed, or similar exams.  

‘Information is not knowledge’, according to A Einstein. 

Information is a refined or meaningful form of data passed from sender to receiver. It provides a structured understanding of a topic - in simple words, context. 

Knowledge syntheses relevant information, which is applied to draw conclusions or make decisions. It is not easy to acquire knowledge, unlike information. 

You can say that you need information to create knowledge. 

Today, the main areas of difference between information and knowledge is explained a little more below. 

Key Differences Between Knowledge and Information

Aspect	Information	Knowledge
Nature	Raw facts, data, details	Understanding, interpretation, application
Focus	Objectivity, context, relevance	Meaning, evaluation, judgment
Acquisition	Passive (gathering and receiving)	Active (learning, analysing, experiencing)
Accuracy	Can be verifiable and concrete	May be subjective and evolving
Scope	Specific and narrow	Broader and interconnected
Impact	Informs and explains	Empowers and enables action
Examples	Reading a news article	Using the information from the article to make a decision
Learning Model	Rote memorisation	Critical thinking, problem solving, reflection
Durability	Retains value over time if accurate	Evolves and requires continuous learning

What is Information?

Information refers to data, facts, or details about a subject. That is for offering clarity on a specific topic or issue. It encompasses many tangible and concrete elements, including statistics, figures, descriptions, or observations.

It is the foundation of knowledge. Gathering, analysing, and synthesising relevant data and facts allows you to make connections and develop a more comprehensive understanding of complex subjects.

What is Knowledge?

Knowledge involves acquiring awareness, understanding, or skill through learning, experience, or education. 

You can say that knowledge involves possessing information and the ability to interpret, apply, and contextualise it effectively. It goes beyond mere accumulation of facts to include critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to make informed decisions based on understanding and analysis.

Knowledge can be acquired through various means, including formal education, practical experience, observation, experimentation, and collaboration with others. It is dynamic and evolving, continually shaped by new discoveries, insights, and perspectives. 

Relationship Between Knowledge and Information - DIKW Pyramid

The DIKW (Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom) pyramid is widely attributed to Russell Ackoff, according to HBR. 

It basically is a framework that shows how raw data evolves into valuable knowledge. And ultimately, wisdom. 

• Data: The foundation of the DIKW pyramid is data, which consists of discrete, unorganised facts and figures. It can be anything from numbers and measurements to observations and text.
• Information: As data is processed and contextualised, it becomes information. This involves giving meaning and context to the data, organising it, and drawing connections between different data points.
• Knowledge: By integrating information with experience, understanding, and expertise, we gain knowledge. This stage focuses on applying information to solve problems, make decisions, and answer questions.
• Wisdom: At the pinnacle of the pyramid lies wisdom. This represents the highest level of understanding, where knowledge is applied effectively in complex situations, often requiring judgment, intuition, and ethical reasoning.

In this symbiotic relationship, you can observe that knowledge is a filtered version of both data and information. And, information is a filtered version of the data, meaning that information converts raw data into something contextual. Knowledge converts that contextual data. This is a key concept in computer programming and also in the business scenario, as technologist David Weinberger would say. 

Examples of Knowledge versus Information

Take, for instance, when you receive an email about a software update from upper management that is information. Understanding how it streamlines project management and affects your daily tasks is knowledge.

Here are some more examples to illustrate the differences between information and knowledge. 

Information Examples

• Knowing the chemical formula for water (H2O): This is a factual detail, readily found in any science textbook. It's information you can easily recall.
• Reading a news article about climate change: The article provides facts and figures about the phenomenon. It's information you can consume to understand the issue.
• Memorising the steps to solve a mathematical equation: You can follow the steps mechanically to get the answer, but without understanding the underlying concepts, it's just information.

Knowledge Examples

• Understanding why water expands when frozen: This goes beyond the formula, requiring deeper comprehension of molecular behaviour. It's knowledge gained through learning and analysis.
• Analysing the potential impact of climate change on specific regions: This requires interpreting information, considering various factors, and drawing informed conclusions. It's knowledge applied to a complex situation.
• Being able to explain the logic behind a mathematical equation: This goes beyond memorisation, showcasing a grasp of the concepts and the ability to apply them in different contexts. It's the knowledge you can utilise for problem-solving.