Information & ICT Flashcards
Information is:
Data that has been processed into a form that assists decision-making and planning
Data is:
A collection of facts or quantities that has been assembled in some form of formal manner with the objective of processing it into specific information
Primary source of information
Info collected by the business itself, field research, first-hand info e.g. Market research data from a questionnaire, interview etc.
Secondary source of information
Information which is gathered from published resources, desk research e.g. Internet, journals
Advantages of primary information
See sheet
Disadvantages of primary information
See sheet
Advantages of secondary information
See sheet
Disadvantages of secondary information
See sheet
Internal sources of information
Info collected within the business - organisation’s internal records
External sources of information
Info collected from outside the business e.g. National statistics
Advantages of internal information
See sheet
Disadvantages of internal information
Seen sheet
Advantages of external information
See sheet
Disadvantages of external information
See sheet
Advantages of written information
Good for passing on information
Easy to be kept and used later
Easy to collect
Types of information
Written, Oral, Pictorial, Graphical, Numerical, (qualitative/quantitative)
Advantages of oral information
Good for discussions, providing advice and simple instructions
Provides an immediate response
Disadvantages of oral information
Less formal than written information
Can be easily forgotten
Written information
Info presented on paper or electronically in the form of text e.g. Email, letter, report
Advantages of pictorial information
Used for: Passing on information that can be easily remembered
Making documents more attractive
Emphasise a point
Disadvantages of pictorial information
Finding a relevant picture that effectively illustrates a point may be difficult
Advantages of graphical information
Good way to display numerical information clearly, emphasise points and make comparisons e.g. monthly sales, company performance
Oral information
Verbal and sound information communicated by voice e.g. Phone calls, meetings, conversations
Advantages of numerical information
Allows an organisation to make financial predictions, perform calculations and analyse it’s financial performance, especially if using a spreadsheet
Quantitative information
Information that can be measured and is expressed in numerical form
How can quantitative information be used?
Helps an organisation to analyse information and make accurate forecasts
Qualitative information
Information that is expressed in words and is descriptive, and involved judgements or opinions
How qualitative information is used
Allows an organisation to find out people’s opinions about e.g. products/advertising/new initiatives. However, information can be biased and difficult to analyse
Value of information: high quality information is…
Accurate, appropriate, available, complete, concise, cost-effective, objective, timely
Accurate information is…
Correct and free from errors
Available information is…
Easy to obtain
Complete information…
Isn’t missing parts out and is finished
Concise information is…
Brief and to the point
Cost-effective information is…
When the usefulness of the information outweighs the cost of gathering it
Objective information is…
Free from bias
Use of information in business
Helps monitor & control the business. Assists in decision making. Measures performance. Identifies new business opportunities.
Helps monitor and control the business
Info ensures smooth running, helps check progress so that action can be taken if problems are highlighted. E.g. Internal info such as budgets, production/sales records
Assists in decision making
Accurate and up-to-date info is needed to make decisions e.g. Wage rates/product prices/suppliers/no of employees. Poor decisions can have negative impact on business
Measures performance
Owners & managers evaluate financial performance. Information is gathered to assist this e.g. Competition’s figures, budgets, comparing sales numbers etc.
Identifies new business opportunities
Info collected to identify new or changing opportunities. E.g. Written/oral info from primary/secondary sources to assist to ensure meet customers needs
Types of ICT
Networks, Email, Videoconferencing / Webcams, Internet, E-commerce, Interactive DVD, CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture)
Benefits of ICT
See sheet
Costs of ICT
See sheet
Types of software
Databases, spreadsheet, word processing, desktop publishing (DTP), presentation packages, Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Functions of a database
See sheet
Functions of a Spreadsheet
See sheet
Features of word processing
See sheet
Desktop Publishing
Is used to produce high quality, professional looking documents. Allows user to import material produced on other packages & display text/graphics in a professional style
Presentation packages
Combines text, graphics, tables, charts & graphs so that they can be projected onto screens and accessed at the click of a button
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Software used by architects, designers & engineers to design products in 3D on computer. Changes to designs can be made easily without expensive redrawing by hand
Data Protection Act 1998
…
Uses of ICT.
ICT assists…
With effective decision making. With providing information for staff. In maintaining accurate business records. In effective communication within an organisation.
Effects of ICT on employees
See sheet
Effects of ICT on organisations
See sheet
Pictorial information
Displayed by a photo, image or picture e.g. Brochures, posters
Numerical information
Information in the form of numbers often displayed as tables or spreadsheets
Timely information is…
Available when needed and up-to-date
Graphical information
Information in the form of graphs and charts e.g. Line graph, pie chart, bar graph
