Unit 1 - Information and Systems Flashcards
What is information?
Information is data that has been processed or given meaning.
What is data?
Data is the raw facts and figures before they have been processed or given meaning
What’s the information word equation?
Information = Data + Structure + Context + Meaning
What is structure in terms of data?
How the data is represented.
What is meant by context when talking about data?
The environment that the data is used in.
What is knowledge?
Application of information!
Name the 5 ways information can be represented?
Text, Graphics, Sound, Moving Pictures, LightEmitting diode (LED)
What’s the advantages of representing data using TEXT?
Clear to understand
Lots of detail
What’s the disadvantages of using text to represent information?
User must be able to read and understand the language
Lots of text cannot be read quickly
What are the advantages of using Graphics to represent information?
Multilingual
Can match what you see-physical shapes
What are the disadvantages of using Graphics to represent information?
Can be confusing if the symbol isn’t clear
Some symbols mean different things in other countries
What are the advantages of using sound to represent information?
No fixed position
No sight needed
What are the disadvantages of using sound to represent information?
Sounds can be misheard
Normally language based
What are the advantages of using moving pictures to represent information?
Lots of information can be shown
Not language dependant
What are the disadvantages of using moving pictures to represent information?
Linear- if you don’t see the beginning you may not understand
Problems might occur if sound is attached
What are the advantages of using LEDs to represent information?
Can allow data to be secure
Can be used in noisy places
What are the disadvantages of using LEDs to represent information?
Need sight to see the light
Combinations of lights may need to be known to be understood
Name the 5 data types?
Boolean, Real, Integer, Text/Sting, Date/Time
Give 1 example of when the data type Boolean is used?
Male or Female
Yes or No
Lower or Upper
When is the data type Real used?
When the data is a decimal number
What is an integer in terms of data?
A whole number found in data
Give an example of when the data type Text/Sting would be used?
Forname Surname Address PostCode Telephone Number
When is the Date/Time data type used?
When the data is in the form of a date or a time!
What is Direct Data?
Data collected from an original source for a specific purpose!
What is indirect data?
Data that has already been collected and has been used for another purpose.
What is 1 advantage of using indirect data?
Large range of data is available that could not have been collected directly
Data can cover different. Places and time periods
Analysis may have already been carried out on the data
What is a disadvantage of using indirect data?
Data may be bias
Cannot be confirmed as accurate
May not get key facts required
What is an advantage of using direct data?
The exact amount of data can be collected
The data can be changed in response to answers
The source and collection method is known and can be verified
What is a disadvantage of using direct data?
May not get a large range of data
Data may not be available
What is the difference between static and dynamic information?
Static information, once created, cannot be changed!
Dynamic information can change or be updated!
Give an example of a static information source!
Books, newspapers, CD, DVD Roms
Give an example of dynamic information?
Web pages, Software, CD-RW, DVD-RW
What does GIGO stand for?
Garbage In Garbage Out
Name the six key factors that determine how good data is?
Accuracy Relevance Age Completeness Presentation Level of detail
What is a disadvantage of encoding data?
Data is not as accurate after being encoding as it was when collected
If the encoding is too complex the data cannot be understood
Give an advantage of encoding data?
Memory is saved when data is shortened and encoded
Time is saved when entering encoding data instead of long data that has been collected
What are the 7 categories of checks in validation of data?
Range, Type, Presence, Length, Lookup, Picture, Check Digit
What is verification?
Making sure that the information on the source document is the same as the information on the object document
Name the two types of verification errors?
Transcription, Transposition
What is transcription?
An error based on the user making an error when copying the data by hitting the wrong key or two at once
What is Transposition?
Errors where two numbers or letters have been reversed
What is backing up?
Keeping a copy of the current data
Name 2 methods of backing up?
Floppy disc, memory card, memory stick, CDRom, External Hard Disc Drive, Tape Drive.
What is archiving?
Archiving is for long-term storage of data that is not required immediately.
Why is archiving important?
When removing old files you eliminate the waste of time backing up unused files and also it frees up hard drive space which improves performance of the system!
Why does information cost money?
Information needs to be produced, it does not imply appear.
What are the four main cost areas of information?
Hardware, Software, Consumables, Personnel
Any IT system can be broken down into what 5 components?
Input, Process, Storage, Output, Feedback
