Information Structure:

While knowledge is information with structure, the value of the
knowledge base depends not only on the fact that the information
contained therein is structured, but also on the appropriateness
of the organization for a particular task or application. 

<hfig07.pcx>  A Serial or Sequential Information Structure
<hfig04.pcx>  A Hierarchical Information Structure

Information without clearly articulated structural relationships
requires critical interpretation in order for the user to
comprehend and assemble the associative relationships.  However,
with a knowledge base containing minimal information and a
complete structure, it is possible to discover or re-create the
missing components of the knowledge community if the structure is
known.  In fact, it is the essential structure of information
that characterizes effective communication of knowledge, and
makes comprehension possible through an understanding of the
inherent relationships that exist (or are established) between
the component parts of the information base.

The use of a hierarchical structure within the information base
is an effective ordering strategy that facilitates the
communication of knowledge.  According to Neil Larson of
MaxThink, Inc. (a software development company), the structure of
information hierarchies are most effective when:

(1)  Subtopics are complete (representing a comprehensive
elaboration on the parent topic);

(2)  Subtopics are parallel (representing a shared or common
theme in reference to the parent topic);

(3)  Subtopics are predictably and logically ordered;

(4)  Subtopics for each parent topic are limited in number so as
not to overwhelm the user (Larson, 1988).


<cfile11>   Information Organization
<cfile14>   Information Hierarchy
<cfile37>   Iterative Learning
<cfile39>   Theological Expertise