The discussion of the Hierarchy and Theories has stimulated a lot of
thought. Perhaps the following simplified diagram can serve as a
chart for presentation:
<----- Wisdom (which questions to ask,
v how to use understanding)
<--------------------- Understanding (modify theories,
v use systems relationships of answers)
Action <------- Knowledge (answers to questions)
| ---------> Information (statistics, graphs, stories)
v ---> Data (perceptions, measurements)
Reality
Much of the discussion implies the place of Reality, but it is
important to emphasize that Data are only partial reflections of
Reality. It is also important to include the loop of Action which
can change Information, Data and Reality.
As a Statistician, I have long said that the role of the statistician
is (mainly) to make Information from Data; and to do that the
statistician must help to get good Data for useful representations of
Reality.
-- Tom Johnson tom_johnson@ncsu.edu tel: (919) 515 4620 fax: (919) 515 1794 Box 8109 18A Patterson Hall North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695-8109