Encoding data

Question 1

What is encoding data?

Answer 1

Encoded data is data replaced with short codes.
Example: Male/Female as M/F
Red/Green/Blue as R/G/F

Question 2

What do we call a way of encoding an opinion?

Answer 2

A value judgement.

Question 3

What are the different data types?

Answer 3

• Boolean
• Integer
• Real
• Text/string

Question 4

Definition and example of - BOOLEAN (data type)

Answer 4

It can hold one of two values.

Example: Yes/No, True/False, Male/Female, 1/0

Question 5

Definition and example of - INTEGER (data type)

Answer 5

Holds whole numbers.

Example: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Question 6

Definition and example of - REAL (data type)

Answer 6

Holds decimal numbers.

Example: currency, 1.25

Question 7

Definition and example of - TEXT/STRING (data type)

Answer 7

Holds any alphanumeric character, including letters, numbers and symbols.

Question 8

What is a value judgement?

Answer 8

When there is no absolute agreement on the value of a data item. When this happens a value judgement is coded for computer input.
- A value judgement is a matter of opinion rather than fact

Question 9

State an example of a value judgement.

Answer 9

Example: the following data may be collected on a dating agency form - I am: handsome /good looking / average / ugly
With value judgements there may be no single correct value, the value depends on someone’s opinion.

Question 10

Advantages of encoding data.

Answer 10

• Takes up less storage space in computers memory, m is one character male is 4 characters
• Less chance of transcription errors because the user is tying fewer characters
• Takes less time to type and is therefore faster to enter data
• Greater consistency of data the user is using a restricted set of values
• Processing is faster because less RAM is required

Question 11

Disadvantages of encoding data.

Answer 11

• The precision of the data may be coarsened as there is a lack of choices.
  Example: light brown hair/ brow hair/ dark brown hair may all be classed as brown.
  This loss of precision must be weighed against its advantages; clearly a shorter survey will take less time to complete but Is likely to contain coarser data
• No agreement as value judgements depend on opinions.
  Example: one person’s hot curry may be another person’s medium