Question 1

Batch processing is defined as ________.

Accepted Answer

Batch processing refers to the execution of a series of operations on a large set of data as a single unit. Each record in the set is processed in the same way, and the processing is usually performed in the background without user interaction. Option A describes this process accurately. Options B, C, and D are not relevant to batch processing.

Question 2

Databases are created and handled using ________.

Accepted Answer

Database management software is specifically designed to create, manage, and handle databases. Options B, C, and D may be used in conjunction with database management software to help design, model, and define the data within the database, but they are not sufficient on their own to handle the entire database creation and management process.

Question 3

A separate file processing system leads to the creation of redundant information because ________.

Accepted Answer

A separate file processing system means that each set of computer programs operates on its own records. This can result in redundant information being created, as multiple records may contain the same data. For example, if one program creates a file with customer information and another program creates a file with the same customer information, there will be duplicative records in the system.

Question 4

Which of the following is a characteristic of structured information?

Accepted Answer

Structured information can be organized in a hierarchical structure with component parts, making it easier to analyze and process. It can also be linked together to enable searching and sorting, making it more efficient to access and retrieve. It is not necessarily limited to physical data storage and can include a variety of data types.

Question 5

An integrated collection of information that is logically related and stored in such a way as to minimize duplication and facilitate rapid retrieval is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

The description given matches a database. A dataset refers to a collection of data. A data dictionary is a tool for organizing and defining the metadata of a database, but not the database itself. Data definition is the process of defining the structure of a database, but is not synonymous with a database.

Question 6

Structured information can be defined as data ________.

Accepted Answer

Structured information is data that can be organized in a structured manner, which means it can be arranged into hierarchies or ordered in a systematic way. This allows it to be easily identifiable and understood. Therefore, option A is the best choice. Option B is incorrect because if information cannot be linked together, it would not be structured. Option C is partially correct as it may help to clarify the nature of the information, but this is not the main criterion for structured information. Option D is also incorrect as structured information is precisely designed to be broken down systematically.

Question 7

White and Brown, a legal firm, stores details of each case in physical files and folders. The firm has a back room stacked with boxes containing hundreds of files. White and Brown's storage structure resembles ________.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the backroom is stacked with boxes containing files indicates that the information is unstructured, as there is no clear organizational system in place.

Question 8

An attribute of an entity in a table is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

An attribute of an entity in a table is called a field. A field is a column in a table that represents a particular data type or value, such as a number, text, or date. A record is a complete set of fields for a single instance of an entity, and a subset refers to a portion of the data in a table. Character is a general term for a single letter, number, or symbol used in data. Therefore, the best choice for this question is C, field.

Question 9

Changes to an integrated database take less time from IT but more from the end users.

Accepted Answer

When changes are made to an integrated database, IT will have to do less work as the changes will likely apply across the entire system. However, end users may need to spend more time adapting to and learning how to use the new features or changes in the database.

Question 10

The early file processing systems were very difficult to maintain because of ________.

Accepted Answer

The data dependency between the programs and files made it difficult to maintain the file processing systems. Any change in one program or file could affect the other programs or files that depended on it. This led to a high degree of complexity and difficulty in maintaining these systems. The other options may have also contributed to the difficulty in maintaining the systems but not as significantly as data dependency.

Question 11

While using a word processor to create a project report, Ashley includes the subject, title, and the author's name in the report's properties. What type of information is Ashley adding to her report?

Accepted Answer

Ashley is adding metadata to her report, which is data that provides information about other data (in this case, information about the report itself).

Question 12

In Robin Dave Hospital, visiting physicians use different spreadsheets to record the name, address, mobile number, and email of clients. These individual spreadsheets are then compiled by a data-entry operator into one spreadsheet. What type of information does the compiled spreadsheet represent?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Robin Dave Hospital, visiting physicians use...

Question 13

To balance the information needs of multiple stakeholders, top-level managers need clear, consistent, and accurate reports that summarize information from across the enterprise.

Accepted Answer

Top-level managers need to consider the information needs of multiple stakeholders, and to do so effectively, they require concise, reliable reports that incorporate data from throughout the organization. These summaries can help ensure that decision-makers have access to accurate and consistent information, aiding in the development of strategic plans and effective resource allocation.

Question 14

What is the main drawback of using unstructured information?

Accepted Answer

The main drawback of using unstructured information is that it makes retrieving information very difficult. Unstructured information does not have a predetermined format or organization, which makes it challenging to search through and extract specific pieces of data. This can be a significant obstacle for businesses and organizations trying to analyze large amounts of data or gain insights from unstructured sources, such as social media or email communications.

Question 15

Flippy, an online shoe store, uses an information system to store sales transactions with clearly defined fields for date, customer number, item number, invoice number, and amount. What type of information resource does Flippy use?

Accepted Answer

Flippy uses structured information as the data is organized into clearly defined fields with a consistent format.

Question 16

In comparison with unstructured information, semi-structured information ________.

Accepted Answer

Semi-structured information has some level of organization and formatting, such as tags or labels, which make it easier to query and aggregate compared to unstructured information.

Question 17

________ specifies the characteristics of a field, such as the type of data it will hold.

Accepted Answer

Data definition is the process of specifying the characteristics of data fields, including the type of data they will hold, their size, and other properties. This is an essential step in database design as it ensures that data is consistent, valid, and can be used effectively in the system.

Question 18

How is metadata related to information?

Accepted Answer

Metadata is data that describes other data. In the case of information, metadata can help clarify the nature of the information by providing context and additional details about the data. This can help users better understand and utilize the information.

Question 19

A representation of an entity in a meaningful way, which includes the attributes of the entity, is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

A record is a representation of an entity in a meaningful way that includes the attributes of the entity. This term often refers to a row in a database table, where each row represents a single record or instance of the entity being modeled. Fields are the individual data elements stored in each record, a primary key is a field or combination of fields that uniquely identify each record, and data definition refers to the process of defining the structure and properties of a database or its components.

Question 20

Pieces of information that cannot be linked together are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Unstructured information refers to pieces of data that do not have a set or organized format or a specific relationship to other pieces of data.

Quiz 4: Databases and Datawarehouses