Question 1

An e-commerce Web site stores sales transactions with clearly defined fields for date, customer number, item number, invoice number, and amount. This is an example of which type of information resource?

Accepted Answer

The clearly defined fields suggest that the information is structured, meaning it is organized in a specific format that can easily be searched and analyzed.

Question 2

An attribute of an entity is called a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

An attribute of an entity is called a field. The other options are not commonly used to refer to attributes in database design.

Question 3

What is the main drawback of using unstructured information?

Accepted Answer

The main drawback of using unstructured information is that it is extremely difficult to retrieve information. Unstructured information does not have a predetermined format or organization, making it challenging to search for and extract relevant data. This can lead to inefficiencies in decision-making processes and hinder the productivity of an organization.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The separate file processing system operates on its own records, leading to the creation of redundant information across multiple files. As each set of computer programs creates its own records for different tasks, there is no central system for managing and updating data, which can result in duplicate or conflicting information.

Question 5

A legal firm has a back room stacked with boxes containing files of hundreds of cases. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The back room stacked with boxes containing files of hundreds of cases is an example of unstructured information as the data is not organized in a specific manner and cannot be easily retrieved without manual sorting through the boxes.

Question 6

Compared to unstructured information, semi-structured information ________.

Accepted Answer

Semi-structured information has some organization and predefined structure, such as tags or labels, making it easier to query and aggregate compared to unstructured information.

Question 7

While saving her word-processed academic documents, Ashley includes the subject, title, and the author's name in the properties. Which type of information is she adding to her document?

Accepted Answer

Ashley is adding metadata, which is information about the document such as title, author, and subject that helps categorize and organize the document.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Data definition specifies the characteristics of a field, such as the type of data it will hold, along with its length, format, and any constraints on the data entered into it.

Question 9

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

A database is the only option that describes an integrated collection of information that is logically related and stored in a way to facilitate rapid retrieval. A data warehouse is a type of database, but not all databases are data warehouses. A data dictionary is a reference resource for data elements, while data definition refers to the specific characteristics of data elements.

Question 10

Information that cannot be linked together is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Unstructured information refers to data that lacks a predefined data model or organization, making it difficult to link together with other pieces of information. It includes things like free-form text, images, and multimedia content. Semi-structured information has some organization but may not be fully linked together, while structured information has a clearly defined format and relationships between data points. Secure information refers to data that is protected from unauthorized access.

Question 11

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 that includes all of its attributes. It is commonly used in databases to store and organize data, and each record is typically assigned a unique identifier known as a primary key. A data-set is a collection of records that have been grouped together based on a common attribute, and a summary is a condensed version of the data that provides an overview of the key findings or insights.

Question 12

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 have to make informed decisions that affect the entire organization, and to do that, they need information from various departments. Clear, consistent, and accurate reports that summarize information from across the organization can help managers balance the information needs of multiple stakeholders.

Question 13

Information is structured if facts and data ________.

Accepted Answer

Structured information can be broken down into component parts or organized into a hierarchy. Thus, option B is the best choice. Option A is incorrect because linked facts and data can still be structured, option C is incorrect because hierarchies are a form of organization, not a lack of organization, and option D is incorrect because numerical values alone do not determine whether information is structured.

Question 14

Databases are created and managed using ________.

Accepted Answer

Databases are created and managed using database management software, such as MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft Access, etc. These software programs are specifically designed for managing data in a structured manner, making it easier to organize, store, retrieve, and analyze large amounts of data. Database architecture software, network database software, and shadow system software are not typically used for database management purposes.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The early file processing systems were highly dependent on the data, which made it hard to maintain them. Any change in the data structure would require a reorganization of the entire system, which was a time-consuming and error-prone task. This made the systems difficult to maintain and led to a high rate of errors and data inconsistencies.

Question 16

In a clinic, each visiting physician maintains a spreadsheet with the name, work phone number, mobile number, and email of the clients. These individual spreadsheets are then compiled into one sheet. This would be an example of which type of information?

Accepted Answer

The information is semi-structured because it is organized in a spreadsheet format, which provides some structure, but it is not as rigidly organized as a database.

Question 17

Structured information can be defined as data ________.

Accepted Answer

Structured information refers to data that can be organized into hierarchies or categories, enabling easy storage, retrieval, and analysis. It is often stored in a structured format such as tables or spreadsheets, and is easily searchable and sortable. Option B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not define structured information accurately.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

With an integrated database, IT does not have to manage multiple databases, which saves time. However, end users may need to navigate through more data and fields to access the information they need, which can take more time.

Question 19

Batch processing is defined as ________.

Accepted Answer

Batch processing involves executing a set of operations sequentially on each record in a large batch, typically performed overnight or during low-usage periods to increase efficiency. B, C, and D do not accurately define batch processing.

Question 20

What role does metadata play in relation to information?

Accepted Answer

Metadata clarifies the nature of the information by providing additional information about the data, such as its source, creation date, and format.

Quiz 4: Managing Information Resources with Databases