Topic 35 - Presenting data and results

Question 1

What are User interface of database systems used for?

Answer 1

User interface of database systems are used to collect data for processing and to output the results to users, so that they can interpret and use that data.
How effectively the data is presented affects how useful it is to an organisation

Question 2

What are Relational database applications and spreadsheets are used for?
(Presenting data and results)

Answer 2

Relational database applications and spreadsheets are used to present information in a variety of formats

Question 3

How can Tabular data be formatted?
(Presenting data and results)

Answer 3

Tabular data - Tables can be formatted, sorted and searched to produced outputs

Question 4

How can Graphical data be formatted?
(Presenting data and results)

Answer 4

Graphical data - A variety of formatted charts to present information in an easy-to-interpet format

Question 5

What is good user interface?
(Error reduction)

Answer 5

Error reduction - A good user interface helps to reduce errors when data is inputted

Question 6

What are the 4 ways errors are reduced?
(Error reduction)

Answer 6

• Automating certain aspects, for example by providing dropdown list boxes, spinners and cheackboxes to enable data entry without typing
• Labelling input areas so users know what to enter in each box
• Providing warnings when incorrect data is entered
• Using techniques such as colour to indicate data entey

Question 7

What does a user interface need to do to make it easy for users?
(Ease of use and accessibility)

Answer 7

A user interface needs to make it easy for users to navigate, input data and receive outputs, regardless of disability, such as limited motor functions or visual impairment.

Question 8

What does an intuitive user interface allow?
(Intuitiveness)

Answer 8

An intuitive user interface allows users to easily work out how to use both the interface and the data it provides without a lot of training

Question 9

What helps improve intuitiveness?
(Intuitiveness)

Answer 9

Clear navigation, good labelling and choosing the right output formats all help to improve intuitiveness

Question 10

What else must the user interface must allow?
(Fuctionality)

Answer 10

• The user interface must allow an organisation to make use of the data stored in the ways that it requires.
• For example, the organisation may wish to carry out certain types of calculation or produce specific types of report.
  For instance, a report detailing items that are out of stock, rather than just a full stock report, allows for more efficient working.

Question 11

What does a system need to be?
(Persormance and compatibility)

Answer 11

• A system needs to be able to process the inputs to the user interface and present outputs quickly.
• Poor performance leads to frustraction and reduces productivity.
• The system needs to be compatible with other systems that either input data into the system or receive outputs from it.