What do unprocessed signals in an information system refer to?

Unprocessed signals in an information system refer to data. In the context of information systems, data consists of raw facts, figures, or signals that have not yet been interpreted or processed into a format that provides context or meaning. This raw data can come from various sources, such as sensors, user inputs, or transactions, and is the foundational element upon which further processing and analysis occur.

When data is collected, it might include unorganized numbers, text, or other forms of input that do not convey useful information on their own. For example, readings from a temperature sensor are merely data until they are processed and analyzed to determine trends or patterns.

Only after processing can data be transformed into information, which is meaningful and useful for decision-making. Understanding refers to the comprehension of information, while knowledge builds on information by integrating it with experience and insight. Thus, recognizing unprocessed signals specifically as data highlights their role as the initial stage in the information processing hierarchy.