User models and world models for data, information, and knowledge

摘要

In this article we identify the need for a new theory of data, information, and knowledge. A model is developed that distinguishes between data as directly observable facts, information as structured collections of data, and knowledge as methods of using information. The model is intended to support a wide range of information systems. In the article we develop the use of the model for a semantic information retrieval system using the concept of semantic categories. The likely benefits of this are discussed, though as yet no detailed evaluation has been conducted.