A perceptual study of information processing cycle

©Asheesh Kamal

Creator and Author

LIS Cafe (Library & Information Science and Computer Applications For Educated youths) Kamal, Asheesh (2019). A perceptual study of information processing cycle, Published on LIS Cafe website.

In this paper you’ll learn about :

·         What is information?

·         Definition of  information processing cycle

·         What is Information processing?

·         Understanding Information processing Cycle

·         Four phases of the Information Processing Cycle

·         Result in the OUTPUT stage

·         Stages involve in the information processing cycle

1. What is information?

Information is a processed, organized or classified data which is useful for the receiver. Information is the processed data which may be used “as is” or may be put to use along with more data or information.

Data that is accurate and timely, specific and organized for a purpose, presented within a context that gives it meaning and relevance, and can lead to an increase in understanding and decrease in uncertainty.

Information is valuable because it can affect behavior, a decision, or an outcome. For example, if a manager is told his/her company's net profit decreased in the past month, he/she may use this information as a reason to cut financial spending for the next month. A piece of information is considered valueless if, after receiving it, things remain unchanged.

Timely − Information should be available when required, a delay in obtaining information renders it useless.

Accuracy − Accuracy of information has a significant impact on the decision-making. Possibilities of even slightest errors should be minimized

Completeness − Information should be complete. Incomplete information causes incorrect and unintended results.

Comprehensive – Information which is incomprehensible is useless for the receiver. This becomes a case of information failure as the sender sent the information, but it was of no use for the receiver, thus is not considered as “information.”

2.Definition of  information processing cycle

The sequence of events in processing information, which includes (1) input, (2) processing, (3) storage and (4) output. The input stage can be further broken down into acquisition, data entry and validation. The output stage can also be further divided into interactive queries and routine reports. A fifth stage is often attributed to this cycle, which is the archiving or deletion of unwanted data.

3.What is Information processing?

Information processing is the change (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an observer. As such, it is a process that describes everything that happens (changes) in the universe, from the falling of a rock (a change in position) to the printing of a text file from a digital computer system. In the latter case, an information processor is changing the form of presentation of that text file. Information processing may more specifically be defined in terms used by, Claude E. Shannon as the conversion of latent information into manifest information (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2011). Latent and manifest information is defined through the terms of equivocation (remaining uncertainty, what value the sender has chosen), dissipation (uncertainty of the sender what the receiver has received), and transformation (saved effort of questioning – equivocation minus dissipation) (Denning and Bell, 2012).

4.Understanding Information processing Cycle

Information processing cycle is a sequence of events consisting of input, processing, storage & output. These events are similar as in case of data processing cycle. For a computer to perform useful work, the computer has to receive instructions and data from the outside world. The computer receives data and instructions during the INPUT stage of the information processing cycle. Useful information results when appropriate instructions are applied to data. Applying instructions to data takes place during the PROCESSING stage of the information processing cycle. To avoid having to re-enter data and instructions or reprocess information, computers can save information. Saving information on a computer occurs during the STORAGE phase of the information processing cycle. Saving information on a computer occurs during the Storage phase of the information processing cycle. This is followed by the result in the OUTPUT stage.

5. Four phases of the Information Processing Cycle

1. Input: Computer receives data and instructions

2. Process: Computer applies instructions to data to produce information (organized Data)

3. Storage: Saving the information for a subsequent use or use in future

4. Output: Computer sends information to people in a usable format.

Input – Entering data into the computer

Feeding the collected raw data in the cycle for processing. This is the raw data which is supplied for processing & obtaining information.

Input can be done by utilizing various devices such as keyboards, mice, flatbed scanners, barcode readers, joysticks, digital data tablets (for graphics drawing), electronic cash registers, etc

Processing – Performing operations on the data

Once the input is provided the raw data is processed by a suitable or selected processing method. This is the most crucial step as it allows for the processed data in the form of output which will be used further.

Processing is usually done by CPU (Central Processing Unit) in a computer. CPU is the crucial component for getting the operations done.

Storage – Saving data in a soft/physical form

This is the outcome, and the raw data provided in the first stage is now “processed,” and the data is useful and provides information and no longer called data.

Storage can be done on external hard disk, inbuilt hard disk, pen drives, micro SD cards, compact disks or even in registers.

Output – Results obtained, i.e., information

This is the outcome, and the raw data provided in the first stage is now “processed,” and the data is useful and provides information and no longer called data.

This can be used as it is or used for further processing along with more data.

6. Understanding the Information Processing Cycle (with example)

Input Stage – Entering data into the computer

In order for a computer to perform useful work, the computer has to receive instructions and data. The computer receives data and instructions during the Input stage of the information processing cycle. Feeding the computer with the collected raw data can be done by means of various devices such as keyboards, mice, scanners, barcode readers, joysticks, digital data tablets (for graphic drawing), touch pad, etc.

Processing Stage – Performing operations on the data

Useful information results when appropriate instructions are applied to data. Applying instructions to data takes place during the Processing stage of the information processing cycle. Once the input is provided the raw data is processed by a suitable or selected processing method (e.g. formatting, restructuring, organizing, calculations, manipulations, etc.). This is the most important step as it provides the processed data in the form of output which will be used further. Processing is usually done by the CPU (Central Processing unit) in the computer.

Output Stage – Results obtained i.e. information

This stage is where information or the results of processing is presented to the user. Here, the raw data provided in the first stage is now “processed” and the data is useful and provides information and no longer called data. Information can be presented through display, print, sounds, etc. by using output devices like the monitor, printer,speaker, projector, etc.

Storage Stage – Saving data in soft/physical form

In order to avoid having to re-enter data and instructions or reprocess information, computers can save information. Saving information on a computer occurs during the Storage phase of the information processing cycle. Storage can be done on external hard disk, inbuilt hard disk, flash drive (pendrive), micro SD cards, compact discs or even in registers.

Sometimes there is the mention of a fifth Stage of the processing cycle known as the DISTRIBUTION STAGE where information is disseminated to users who need them. Communication devices are used for the dissemination of information and these include the fax machine, radio, television, mobile phone, computer, etc.

7. Reference:

1.       Definition of information processing". The Free Dictionary. Princeton University. 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2018.

2.      Anthony Ralston (2000). Encyclopedia of computer science. Nature Pub. Group. ISBN 978-1-56159-248-7

3.      Eppler, M.J., Mengis, J., 2004. The Concept of Information Overload : A Review of Literature from Organization Science , Accounting , Marketing , MIS , and Related Disciplines 325–344

4.      Different online sources

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