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collecting
- collecting – the process by which data is captured or entered into a computer system, including:
- deciding what data is required
- how it is sourced
- how it is encoded for entry into the system
- hardware used for collection
(See Course Specifications Document)
- non-computer procedures in collecting
- literature searches
- surveys and interviews
- form design for data collection
- manual recording of events
- existing non-computer data
- social and ethical issues in collecting
- bias in the choice of what and where to collect data
- accuracy of the collected data
- copyright and acknowledgment of source data when collecting
- the rights to privacy of individuals on whom data is collected
- ergonomic issues for participants entering large volumes of data into an information system
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- for a given scenario, identify alternatives for data collection and choose the most appropriate one
- use a range of hardware collection devices to collect different data types
- describe the operation of a range of hardware collection devices
- make predictions about new and emerging trends in data collection based on past practices
- choose the most appropriate combination of hardware, software and/or non-computer tools to collect data from a given source
- use the Internet to locate data for a given scenario
- design forms that allow data to be accurately recorded and easily input into software applications
- select and use appropriate communication skills to conduct interviews and surveys so that data can be accurately collected
- identify existing data that can be collected for an information system for a given scenario
- recognise personal bias and explain its impact on data collection
- identify the privacy implications of particular situations and propose strategies to ensure they are respected
- predict errors that might flow from data inaccurately collected
- predict issues when collecting data that might arise when it is subsequently analysed and processed
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organising
- organising – the process by which data is structured into a form appropriate for use by other information processes
- how different methods of organising affect processing, for example:
- letters of the alphabet represented as images rather than text
- numbers represented as text rather than numeric
- the way in which the hardware used for collection organises data by digitising images, audio, video, numeric and text
- software for organisation
(See Course Specifications Document)
- non-computer tools for organising
- hard copy systems such as phone books, card catalogues and pen and paper forms
- pen and paper methods for organising data
- social and ethical issues associated with organising, including:
- current trends in organising data, such as:
- the increase in hypermedia as a result of the world wide web
- the ability of software to access different types of data
- a greater variety of ways to organise resulting from advances in display technology
- the cost of poorly organised data, such as redundant data in a database used for mail-outs
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- choose the most appropriate format for a given set of data and identify and describe the most appropriate software and method to organise it
- describe how different types of data are digitised by the hardware that collects it
- compare and contrast different methods of organising the same set of data using existing software applications
- use software to combine data organised in different formats
- use data dictionaries to describe the organisation of data within a given system
- assess future implications when making decisions about the way data is organised
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analysing
- analysing – the process by which data can be represented and summarised so that humans can better understand it
- hardware requirements for analysing, including:
- large amounts of primary and secondary storage allowing for fast processing
- fast processors allowing many rapid calculations
- software features for analysis, including:
- searching/selecting data
- sorting
- modelling/simulations
- what-if scenarios
- charts and graphs to identify trends
- file comparison
- non-computer tools, for analysing, including:
- searching manual filing systems
- non-computer models and simulations
- social and ethical issues associated with analysis, including:
- unauthorised analysis of data
- data incorrectly analysed
- erosion of privacy from linking databases for analysis
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- identify hardware requirements to carry out a particular type of analysis
- describe the best organisation for data for a particular type of analysis
- use software analysis features in a range of software applications to analyse
image, audio, video, text and numeric data
- compare and contrast computer and non-computer tools for analysis on the basis of speed, volume of data that can be analysed, and cost
- analyse data on individuals for the purpose it was collected
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storing and retrieving
- storing and retrieving – the two-step process by which data or information can be saved and reloaded to allow for:
- other processing to take place
- a temporary halt in the system
- backup and recovery
- the transfer of data or information
- hardware for storing and retrieving
- the characteristics of hardware, including:
- random or sequential access
- volatile or non-volatile
- permanent or non-permanent
- the trend to faster and greater storage capacity over time
- software for storing and retrieving
- hardware interface software
- file management software
- database management systems
- file formats for different data types
- Internet browser
- used to access a machine-independent data store
- using search engines to access data
- encryption/password protection
- security of stored data whether stored centrally or distributed
- non-computer tools including:
- paper based storage systems
- microfiche
- libraries
- social and ethical issues, including:
- the security of stored data
- unauthorised retrieval of data
- advances in storage and retrieval technologies and new uses such
as data matching
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- document the storage and retrieval process in an information system
- describe the characteristics and operation of hardware devices used for storage and retrieval
- use a range of hardware devices and associated software to store and retrieve information and data
- store and retrieve data using a network
- compare different file formats for storing the same data, explaining
the features and benefits of each
- use software features to secure stored data and information
- retrieve and use data in an ethical way
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processing
- processing – a method by which data can be manipulated in different ways to produce a new value or result (eg calculating a total, filtering an email, changing the contrast of an image, changing the volume of a wave file)
- hardware in processing
- hardware with fast processors, a lot of RAM and large storage capacity for image, video and audio processing
- increased processing speed, by:
- increased clock speeds
- increased bus capacity
- historical and current trends in CPU development
- software for processing text, numeric, image, video and audio data
- non-computer tools and processing
- documenting procedures to be followed when processing
- social and ethical issues associated with processing
- ownership of processed data
- bias in the way participants in the system process data
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- select appropriate hardware configurations for a specified type of processing
- edit text data using word processors, desktop publishing, hypertext and database management systems
- edit numeric data using spreadsheets and database management systems
- edit image data using paint, draw and animation packages
- edit video data using animation packages
- edit audio data using mixing software
- diagrammatically represent data processing
- identify examples of potential human bias in data processing
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transmitting and receiving
- transmitting and receiving – the process that transfers information and data within and between information systems
- hardware for transmitting and receiving
- communications within a computer between peripheral devices and the CPU via buses
- the role of modems, including modulation and demodulation
- local area networks and wide area networks
- software for transmitting and receiving
- communications packages
- transmitting and receiving text, numeric, image, audio and video
- electronic mail and its operation
- non-computer tools for transmitting and receiving, such as mail, phone, fax and radio and television (transmit only)
- social and ethical issues associated with transmitting and receiving
- accuracy of data received from the Internet
- security of data being transferred
- net-etiquette
- acknowledgment of data source
- global network issues, time zones, date fields, exchange rates
- changing nature of work for participants, such as work from home and telecommuting
- current developments and future trends in digital communications, radio and television
- the impact of the Internet on traditional business
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- differentiate between the requirements for a local area network and a wide area network
- transfer numeric, text, image, audio and video data and discuss the time to transfer and required bandwidth
- describe concepts of downloading, uploading and streaming
- demonstrate sending and receiving mail, with attachments, over an e-mail system
- select a relevant technology for a given situation to allow computers to transmit and receive data or information
- compare and contrast computer and non-computer based communication systems
- describe and employ net-etiquette when using the Internet
- predict and discuss possible future trends in communications and the impact they are likely to have on the transmitting and receiving of data/information
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displaying
- software for display
- interfaces for hardware display devices
- display features in applications packages, including:
- reporting
- formatting
- spacing
- merging
- tables
- charts
- non-computer tools:
- traditional methods for displaying the different types of data
- social and ethical issues associated with displaying
- communication skills of those presenting displays
- past, present and emerging trends in displays
- appropriate displays for a wide range of audiences, including:
- standards for display for the visually impaired
- displays suitable for young children
integration of processes
- the interrelationships between the processes in a given system
- one tool (such as software to develop a multimedia presentation) may involve several processes
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- choose and justify the most appropriate method for displaying information given a particular set of circumstances
- describe the operation of display hardware
- use a range of hardware and software combinations to display different types of information
- format a text document with appropriate use of fonts, spacing and layout for printed and screen displays
- design and develop a simple web page
- generate reports for display within a database
- mail-merge information from a database into another application for display
- create audio, image and video displays with presentation software
- compare and contrast displays created without a computer to those created with a computer
- identify, discuss and appreciate the widespread use of non-computer methods of displaying information
- design a display for a wide variety of users
- recognise that processes can overlap, be concurrent or independent or not significant in a specific system
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