GOLDSMITHS COLLEGE
BSc Examination 2001
COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
CS52006A (CS216) Introduction to Information Systems
Duration:
3 hours
Date and time:
• Do not attempt more than FOUR questions on this paper. Full Marks will be awarded for complete answers to FOUR questions.
• Electronic calculators are not needed for this examination and therefore should not be used.
THIS EXAMINATION PAPER MUST NOT BE
REMOVED FROM THE EXAMINATION ROOM
CS216 2001 [WESTERN] 2 TURN OVER Write short notes on five of the following
(a) The distinction between soft and hard data, and assess their importance relative to each other in information systems.
(b) The ethical impact of information systems. (c) Neural networks.
(d) Entity relationship diagrams for developing the logical view of a database.
(e) The use of computer aided design (CAD) in mass customisation. (f) The requirements for good quality information.
(g) Groupware.
[25 Marks; each question is worth 5 marks]
Question 2
(a) Briefly describe the difference between a computer system that is "User Friendly" and one that is "User Hostile". Provide at least one example of each.
[8 Marks]
(b) Describe in detail three aspects of user friendliness which designers of information systems should consider and aim to incorporate when building information systems. Include at least one example for each aspect you have chosen.
[12 Marks]
(c) Briefly describe how people can be affected by how an Information System has been implemented and how such systems rely upon people to be effective and efficient?
(a) What is a database and why are DBMSs important in many Information Systems?
[2 Marks]
(b) What are the differences between the logical and physical views of a database system and why is it useful to have this distinction?
[6 Marks]
(c) Briefly describe the major elements of the relational data model. [6 Marks]
Scenario: Hope School Student Database The following are samples taken from the Hope school student database. Each student is assigned a unique id number on admission, and their class, (A, B, C or D), is subsequently entered into the database. Each student is also assigned a personal tutor. Each class has a form teacher associated with it. Below are the relations held in the student database. The school realises the confidential nature and importance of the data it holds in this database, and has taken steps to ensure that only those so authorised can access the student records
Students
Student id Student name Personal tutor Class Teacher
100 Smith Miss Moss A Mr Djan
101 Jones Mr Flattery B Miss Jones
102 Patel Mr London A Mr Djan
103 Chan Miss Dover C Mr Cook
Teachers
Primary subject Teacher
Maths Mr Djan
English Miss Jones
History Mr Cook
(d) Given the above relations in the Hope school student database scenario give the result of applying
(i) PROJECT student name, class and personal tutor from STUDENT [3 Marks]
CS216 2001 [WESTERN] 4 TURN OVER (a) Briefly describe the terms "system" and "framework" as defined in the
course. [4 Marks]
(b) What are the properties of the work-centred-analysis framework that make it a useful framework for analysing business processes? [4 Marks]
Scenario: Renting a Video tape at a branch of DJAN Videos
DJAN video rental shops are a nation wide chain. They pride themselves on prompt efficient service to customers, and on always having sufficient stocks of popular videos available. Each shop is connected via a modem to a head office where the information of the days rentals can be analysed to see if more copies of popular tapes need to be purchased for a branch. When a customer wants to rent a video the bar code on their membership card is read to ensure they are registered at the store. The shop assistant is then also able to call up the customer's prior rental history, and perhaps recommend a new tape the customer may like to view, but may otherwise be unaware of. This viewing of the customer history also ensures that the customer has no overdue video tapes before allowing them to be rent by another customer. The bar code on the empty video box selected by the customer is then read to see if the tape is available in the shop. The entire shop video inventory is held in a database on a computer in the shop. If the title is still available, the appropriate video cassette is recovered from the stock room and is rented to the customer, who is charged appropriately for the rental. At the end of the day a list of all the videos rented at the branch is automatically sent to the head office for analysis.
(c) Draw a WCA diagram for the video rental scenario above [12 Marks]
(d) From those described in the course, what type of Information System is DJAN Videos using ? Explain your answer.
[2 Marks]
(e) It has been suggested that DJAN videos should use a centralised computing architecture to support the information system detailed in the above scenario. What would this entail and what risks would be associated with this solution?
(a) What is meant by the terms process architecture and architectural characteristics?
[6 Marks]
(b) Describe any four examples of architectural characteristics discussed in the course.
[8 Marks]
Scenario: Complaints Department of Commet Ltd.
Commet Ltd are a large company that sells electrical goods. They have set up a department in the firm to specifically deal with any customer complaints. The complaints department is staffed by six office workers. When a letter of compliant from a customer arrives, it is given to one of the office workers who is then wholly responsible for generating a personal reply. In these replies, in general, there will possibly be advice on how to resolve the problem with the electrical product, or an apology for the inconvenience that may have been caused, depending on what information the customer’s letter contains. It is felt by the management that giving a ‘personal touch’ in letters will provide a better service for customers, and they actively resist the idea of having a standard reply letter. However, there have been complaints about the complaints department! Some customers have been offended by the tone of the letters they have received, others confused by conflicting advice given by the company when the same problem has arisen on different occasions.
(c) On the basis of the above information, state one architectural
characteristic of which Commet Ltd's complaints department, seen as a system, is likely to have too much, and explain your choice.
[4 Marks]
(d) On the basis of the above information state one architectural
characteristic of which commet Ltd’s complaints department, seen as a system , is likely to have too little, and explain your choice.
[4 Marks]
(e) State one process related variable that is likely to be negatively affected by the architectural characteristics you have chosen, and explain your answer.
