Data and information — AS & A Level Information Technology (9626) questions by topic
Data and information spans 4 to 13 marks across describe, explain, identify, discuss and outline questions on foreign keys in a relational database, indirect data sources such as an electoral register, updating a master file from a transaction file, and distinguishing online from batch processing.
This page holds 17 real questions from 2023 and 2024 papers. Confusing neighbouring terms costs marks here more than anywhere else in the syllabus, so working through each question and checking the instant-marked response shows straightaway whether a file has been called a record, or online processing mixed up with real-time processing.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is confusing the term file with record, and ignoring Product ID numbers as the identifying factor when updating a master file.
- Examiners repeatedly note candidates confusing open source software with open source formats, missing the distinction from proprietary formats the question required.
- Reports flag answers that simply repeated the question, stating accurate information was 'up-to-date' or 'relevant' without adding anything further.
- A common error is confusing online processing with real-time processing, or repeating 'online processing is processing online' as if that were an explanation.
- Strong answers correctly identified validation and sorting as the pre-update processes, and defined online processing as the user being in direct communication with a central computer.
May–June 2024, Paper 11
(a) Describe, giving an example, what is meant by the term data.
Answer this question and get it marked →Identify four factors which can affect the quality of information.
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe the term indexed sequential access.
Answer this question and get it marked →A company in Nairobi, Kenya, uses a database to store all its customer details. Evaluate the use of static and dynamic parameters in a query to search the database for customers…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
A building company has a relational database. The database has two tables: CUSTOMERS and QUOTATIONS. The QUOTATIONS table has a foreign key. (a) Describe what is meant by the term…
Answer this question and get it marked →There are various methods of verification. (a) Describe why checksum verification is used.
Answer this question and get it marked →Data can be collected by using a direct or an indirect data source. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using direct data compared to indirect data.
Answer this question and get it marked →February–March 2023, Paper 12
Data is collected and processed to become information. Many factors affect the quality of the resulting information. Describe what is meant by accurate information.
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe what is meant by the term open source file format. Include in your answer an explanation of why open source file formats are needed.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
D'Oliveira Inc. is a company which sells stationery products to many stores. The company uses a transaction file to keep a record of the number of products it has sold each month.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
A student has been asked by her sociology teacher to produce a study of the average number of family members in the local area. Give reasons why using an Electoral Register as an…
Answer this question and get it marked →Many credit card purchases use online processing, whereas customer bills tend to be produced using batch processing. Describe the differences between online processing and batch…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
There are different types of processing including batch processing and real-time processing. Without referring to master files and transaction files, describe what is meant by…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
A company receives orders which are entered into a computer system. The company has decided to use online processing to process these orders so employees enter orders as they are…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Maria wants to use information about the families in her town for a study. She will get the information from an indirect data source, the town's electoral register. This is kept…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
Using a numerical example, explain the differences between data and information.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 31
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the use of data mining by businesses.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other AS & A Level Information Technology topics
- Spreadsheets (30)
- Software (22)
- Security (21)
- The impact of IT (21)
- Multimedia (20)
- Databases (16)
- Systems development life cycle (13)
- Networks (10)
- Web authoring (8)
- Programming (8)
- Hardware (7)
- Monitoring and control (7)
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