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Data integration in microbial genomics ... - Jacobs University

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CHAPTER 1<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

“We’re drown<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>formation and starv<strong>in</strong>g for knowledge.”<br />

(Rutherford D. Rogers, NY Times, 1988)<br />

In this <strong>in</strong>troductory chapter, the basic concepts and a theoretical<br />

framework are presented to set the stage. The focus of this doctoral<br />

thesis is put <strong>in</strong>to a broader context. Subsequently, the relevant bio<strong>in</strong>formatic<br />

approaches and problems are presented that are tackled by<br />

the research aims. The chapter f<strong>in</strong>ishes with an overview about the<br />

overall structure of the thesis.<br />

It is the <strong>in</strong>tention to guide a reader not familiar with the subject of<br />

this thesis towards an understand<strong>in</strong>g that helps to fully appreciate the<br />

motivation of the research aims and the studies conducted.<br />

1.1 From data to knowledge<br />

“Of our mundane and technical concepts <strong>in</strong>formation is currently<br />

one of the most important, most widely used and least understood.”<br />

[Floridi, 2003]<br />

Information as well as data and knowledge are central terms <strong>in</strong> this<br />

thesis. They are def<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the follow<strong>in</strong>g. This happens without claim<strong>in</strong>g<br />

to offer the only philosophically valid def<strong>in</strong>itions for these terms,<br />

but to establish a consistent vocabulary that will be used throughout<br />

this work.<br />

Information scientists agree that on the lowest level there are signs<br />

that are def<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> alphabets (see figure 1.1). These signs can be com-

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