1. Intermediate 2
Information Systems:
Using Information
Revision Slides:
You will need a pen/cil and paper!
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers 1
2. How to use this presentation
• This presentation will quiz you on SOME of the key topics that may
occur on the exam.
• Questions will be shown. Think of the answer or write it down.
• Advance the slides to reveal the answers.
• Have paper and pen/cil with you to write down the slide numbers for any
questions that you did not get right.
• Go through all of these slides again and again until you can answer all
questions confidently.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 2
3. Explain what is meant by the term information
system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 3
4. Explain what is meant by the term information
system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 4
5. Explain what is meant by the term information
system.
• A system used by individuals or
organisations to manage information
• A system that carries out processing
of data
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 5
6. A national organisation supplying electricity to its
customers uses an information system to
calculate electricity bills because it can process
a large volume of data.
Describe one other reason for using an
information system to calculate electricity bills.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 6
7. A national organisation supplying electricity to its
customers uses an information system to
calculate electricity bills because it can process
a large volume of data.
Describe one other reason for using an
information system to calculate electricity bills.
• Speed of processing – very fast
• Accuracy of calculations – no errors, very precise
• Efficiency improved
Do not accept – just speed or fast without justification
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 7
8. A national organisation supplying electricity to its
customers uses an information system to
calculate electricity bills because it can process
a large volume of data.
Explain what is meant by the “volume” of data.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 8
9. A national organisation supplying electricity to its
customers uses an information system to
calculate electricity bills because it can process
a large volume of data.
Explain what is meant by the “volume” of data.
• The number of transactions that can
be completed in a set time period
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 9
10. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
The functions carried out by the
system are gathering, processing,
storing and outputting information.
Describe one piece of information
gathered by the system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 10
11. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
The functions carried out by the
system are gathering, processing,
storing and outputting information.
Describe one piece of information
gathered by the system.
• A player’s choice of numbers
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 11
12. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
Describe one method that could
be used for entering data into
the Super Lottery computer
system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 12
13. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
Describe one method that could
be used for entering data into
the Super Lottery computer
system.
• Scan
• OMR/Mark Sense
• Type at keypad
• Voice recognition
• Barcode
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 13
14. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
Outputting information can be
done in several ways. Describe
one method of output that may be
used in the Lottery system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 14
15. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
Outputting information can be
done in several ways. Describe
one method of output that may be
used in the Lottery system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 15
16. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
Outputting information can be
done in several ways. Describe
one method of output that may be
used in the Lottery system.
• Printed ticket issued to player
• Selected numbers sent to file for inclusion
in the draw
• Selected numbers or charge displayed on
screen at POS (point of sale)
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 16
17. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
The computerised information
system used by the lottery
carries out a lot of processing.
Describe one process that may
be carried out in the Lottery
system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 17
18. The National Lottery uses a
computerised information system.
A sample ticket is shown here.
The computerised information
system used by the lottery
carries out a lot of processing.
Describe one process that may
be carried out in the Lottery
system.
• Search stored tickets to find numbers matching winning
• Numbers
• Sort numbers selected into ascending order
• (Count) total number of tickets sold
• (Calculate) total prize fund
• (Count) total number of winners
• Pick winning numbers
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 18
19. Describe two implications to
the lottery of selling their
tickets online rather than
from a shop.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 19
20. Describe two implications to
the lottery of selling their
tickets online rather than
from a shop.
• Very large initial cost to establish online operation
• Must ensure secure system for purchasing
• May need to review staffing in shops if more
business
• Online
• Potential of wider audience may lead to improved
profitability
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 20
21. E-Herb sells natural medicines from its shops
around the UK.
They employ several knowledge workers.
Describe the job of a “knowledge worker”.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 21
22. E-Herb sells natural medicines from its shops
around the UK.
They employ several knowledge workers.
Describe the job of a “knowledge worker”.
• Someone who processes or analyses
information. OR
• Someone who adds value to existing
information by adding new information
to it
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 22
23. E-Herb sells natural medicines from its shops around the
UK.
At the end of each day, E-Herb uses an information system
to total the sales for that day and to save the results to the
hard disk.
State two functions of an information system that are
being carried out in this example.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 23
24. E-Herb sells natural medicines from its shops around the
UK.
At the end of each day, E-Herb uses an information system
to total the sales for that day and to save the results to the
hard disk.
State two functions of an information system that are
being carried out in this example.
• Processing information (1 mark)
• Storing information (1 mark)
• (Only these terms acceptable)
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 24
25. E-Herb employees are required to follow
netiquette when using the computer system.
State two rules according to “netiquette”.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 25
26. E-Herb employees are required to follow
netiquette when using the computer system.
State two rules according to “netiquette”.
• Don’t use language that would be offensive
to others.
• Don’t use all capital letters in e-mails which
means shouting
• No flaming
• No spamming.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 26
27. Explain what is meant by “Information Intellectual
Property Rights”.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 27
28. Explain what is meant by “Information Intellectual
Property Rights”.
• This legislation is designed to assign
protection to original ideas.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 28
29. E-Herb develops new natural medicines on a
regular basis. An employee leaves the company
and decides to take away test results on some of
the new medicines that E-Herb has developed.
State one of the ethical implications of the
employee taking away this information and using
it at their new place of work.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 29
30. E-Herb develops new natural medicines on a
regular basis. An employee leaves the company
and decides to take away test results on some of
the new medicines that E-Herb has developed.
State one of the ethical implications of the
employee taking away this information and using
it at their new place of work.
• Any one from:
• Would infringe the other employer’s Information
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Gives company an unfair advantage
• Breach of trust
• Stealing with reasoning that it is unethical
Do not accept legal implications eg copyright.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 30
31. Identify an item of data from the table.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 31
32. Identify an item of data from the table.
• Any example such as: INV ABN 12:42
Accept any single item apart from
heading eg journey number
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 32
33. Identify an item of information from the table.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 33
34. Identify an item of information from the table.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 34
35. Identify an item of information from the table.
• Any example such as: departure
station – Inverness arrives – 16:41
changes – 0
• Any correct (label + data) = 1 mark
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 35
36. State two formatting operations that have been carried
out on the first spreadsheet to produce the second.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 36
37. State two formatting operations that have been carried
out on the first spreadsheet to produce the second.
• Any TWO:
• Change alignment to centre
• Change heading to bold
• Change column D to currency format.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 37
38. Spreadsheet software can be used for keeping
business accounts.
State one other suitable type of application
software for keeping business accounts.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 38
39. Spreadsheet software can be used for keeping
business accounts.
State one other suitable type of application
software for keeping business accounts.
• Financial Database (Do not accept
product names eg Microsoft Access)
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 39
40. Information systems and computer software are
protected by various laws.
State the names of three laws that are relevant to
computer systems.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 40
41. Information systems and computer software are
protected by various laws.
State the names of three laws that are relevant to
computer systems.
• The Data Protection Act
• The Computer Misuse Act
• The Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 41
42. The Radcliffe Hospital has created a new
database. According to The Data Protection Act:
(a) Who is the data controller in this case?
(b) Who are the data subjects?
(c) What are two responsibilities that the data
controller has according to the Act.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 42
43. The Radcliffe Hospital has created a new
database. According to The Data Protection Act:
(a) Who is the data controller in this case?
(b) Who are the data subjects?
(c) What are two responsibilities that the data
controller has according to the Act.
(a) The data controller is the Radcliffe Hospital
(Always name the organisation NOT a person or
job title)
(b) The data subjects are the patients or people
whose details are stored in the database
(c) To keep data safe, to keep data up to date, to
store data no longer than necessary, to ensure
that data is relevant and not excessive (see notes
for more details) adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Questions Slide 43
44. Sandy is creating a newsletter on healthy eating.
He wants to use an image from the BBC website
in his newsletter.
State what he must do before he can use the
image.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 44
45. Sandy is creating a newsletter on healthy eating.
He wants to use an image from the BBC website
in his newsletter.
State what he must do before he can use the
image.
• Ask the BBC for permission to use it.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 45
46. Describe what is meant by the term data subject
with reference to the Data Protection Act.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 46
47. Describe what is meant by the term data subject
with reference to the Data Protection Act.
• A person who has their personal data
stored by an organisation
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 47
48. Kincrath College of Further Education maintains
a pupil database. The manager, Mr Jones,
updates the database.
In terms of the Data Protection Act, who is the
data controller in this situation?
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 48
49. Kincrath College of Further Education maintains
a pupil database. The manager, Mr Jones,
updates the database.
In terms of the Data Protection Act, who is the
data controller in this situation?
• Kincrath College
NOT Mr Jones!
Remember: The data controller/user is
the name of the organisation – not a
person!
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 49
50. What must Kincrath College of Further education
do before they can store personal data
according to the Data Protection Act?
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 50
51. What must Kincrath College of Further education
do before they can store personal data
according to the Data Protection Act?
• Notify the Information Commissioner
• Register with the Data Protection Registrar
• Get data subjects permission
only this type of answer to be accepted for 1
mark.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 51
52. A pupil at Kincrath College has hacked into the
college computer system with the aim of altering
their marks.
State the law that the pupil has broken.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 52
53. A pupil at Kincrath College has hacked into the
college computer system with the aim of altering
their marks.
State the law that the pupil has broken.
• Computer Misuse Act
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 53
54. (a) State a data object used in the spreadsheet.
(b) State two formatting operations that have
been used.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 54
55. (a) State a data object used in the spreadsheet.
(b) State two formatting operations that have
been used.
(a)cell, row or column (Remember a data
object is something in a program that
holds data)
(b)Font on the title, currency in columns
C and D.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 55
56. State a data object that you would find in a
spreadsheet.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 56
57. State a data object that you would find in a
spreadsheet.
• Cell
• Column
• Row
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 57
59. Identify two
formatting
operations that
were used in the
letter shown here.
• Change style (to bold and italic) − only one
mark for ‘style’
• Right alignment of address
• Change line length of paragraph
/indent/fully justified
Do not accept centred.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 59
60. Describe what is meant by “online help”.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 60
61. Describe what is meant by “online help”.
• A feature built into the software that provides
instructions on how to solve specific problems
Answer must have both parts: mentioning it’s a
feature built into the software AND that it provides
assistance with how to solve specific problems
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 61
62. State the type of program that would be used to
create an online shop.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 62
63. State the type of program that would be used to
create an online shop.
• Web authoring
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 63
64. Bob needs to learn about a new graphics
program that he has never used before.
State the feature of the program that would train
him in how to use the new software.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 64
65. Bob needs to learn about a new graphics
program that he has never used before.
State the feature of the program that would train
him in how to use the new software.
• Online tutorial
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 65
66. State a software application that staff in a
company could use to send electronic messages
to each other.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 66
67. State a software application that staff in a
company could use to send electronic messages
to each other.
• E-mail (client)
• Chat (client)
• Instant messaging (but not Instant
messenger or MSN)
No specific names of programs are
acceptable!
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 67
68. Name the type of software that would be used to:
(a) Create a slideshow
(b) Produce brochures
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 68
69. Name the type of software that would be used to:
(a) Create a slideshow
(b) Produce brochures
(a) Presentation NOT PowerPoint
(b) Publishing, desk-top publisher NOT
Publisher
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 69
70. A student uses a DVD encyclopaedia to research
the solar system.
What type of application software is a DVD
encyclopaedia?
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 70
71. A student uses a DVD encyclopaedia to research
the solar system.
What type of application software is a DVD
encyclopaedia?
• Reference – only acceptable answer
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 71
72. State two methods for gathering data
electronically.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 72
73. State two methods for gathering data
electronically.
• Any two:
– Barcode, scanner, magnetic ink
characters, magnetic strip, chip and pin
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 73
74. Data can be output from an information system in
a variety of ways. Apart from printed output,
state two other types of output.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 74
75. Data can be output from an information system in
a variety of ways. Apart from printed output,
state two other types of output.
• File
• Screen
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 75
76. A company is designing new offices for its
employees. Describe one area of health and
safety that the company should consider.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 76
77. A company is designing new offices for its
employees. Describe one area of health and
safety that the company should consider.
• Seating should be height and back adjustable
• Lighting should be reflected to reduce glare
• Precautions should be taken to prevent Repetitive
Strain Injury (RSI)
• Regular eye tests and breaks from using the
computer should be given to reduce the possibility
of eye strain
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 77
78. Describe two costs involved in setting up a
computerised information system.
• Any two from
• Initial costs – hardware, software,
installation of system
(networking/hardware, etc)
• Training staff to use new system
• Employing new specialist staff
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 78
79. Describe two costs involved in setting up a
computerised information system.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 79
80. Various strategies are used to maintain and
protect information systems. Explain why a
company would want to use a security strategy.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 80
81. Various strategies are used to maintain and
protect information systems. Explain why a
company would want to use a security strategy.
• • To ensure that the company’s important
operational data is not lost or damaged by
computer failure or viruses
• To ensure data is not accessed by unauthorised
employees (hackers) or competitors
(1 mark each, max 2 marks)
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 81
82. State two reasons why a company may need to
have a network strategy.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 82
83. State two reasons why a company may need to
have a network strategy.
• To plan how to set up the network (1
mark)
• To manage its distribution of data
effectively (1 mark)
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 83
84. Apart from a network strategy, explain two other
strategies that companies should have in place
to protect their information systems.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 84
85. Apart from a network strategy, explain two other
strategies that companies should have in place
to protect their information systems.
• You must EXPLAIN two, not just state the names of them!
Backup: To plan how to back and restore lost data
Security: To protect a system from hacking and viruses
Software: To identify the software that’s needed and be able to
evaluate and support it
Upgrade: To future-proof the organisation by planning which
hardware and software to buy
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 85
86. Describe one advantage of having a “centralised
database” in an organisation instead of separate
copies stored on different computers.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 86
87. Describe one advantage of having a “centralised
database” in an organisation instead of separate
copies stored on different computers.
• Easier to organise, edit, update (less
data duplication, better data integrity)
• Easier to back-up the data
• Improved productivity and efficiency
of business
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 87
88. Explain two advantages and two disadvantages
of selling online instead of using a shop.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 88
89. Explain two advantages and two disadvantages
of selling online instead of using a shop.
• Advantages: You will reach more customers/have
more business; you will save the expense of more
employees and shop rental
• Disadvantages: You may have more returns, you
will not meet your customers, you will have to have
a secure website
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 89
90. Firestones Bookshop decides to close their High
Street shops and only sell from a website.
(a) State one economic implication of this to
employees.
(b) State one economic implication of this to the
employer.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 90
91. Firestones Bookshop decides to close their High
Street shops and only sell from a website.
(a) State one economic implication of this to
employees.
(b) State one economic implication of this to the
employer.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 91
92. Firestones Bookshop decides to close their High
Street shops and only sell from a website.
(a) State one economic implication of this to
employees.
(b) State one economic implication of this to the
employer.
(a)Employees could lose jobs.
(b)The company could save money on
shop and staff expenses OR reach
more customers and increase profits.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 92
93. What is meant by being “information poor” and
what is a disadvantage of being information
poor?
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 93
94. What is meant by being “information poor” and
what is a disadvantage of being information
poor?
• You must answer both parts of the question:
• Information poor means that you do not have
access to the internet.
• A disadvantage is any one of these: that you have
limited access to up to date information, cannot
shop online, may find it harder to locate jobs, may
reduce educational opportunities.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 94
95. Angelique is a cosmetics chemist who has a new
job at the cosmetics firm, Blush.
She has brought the formula for a lip gloss from
her old employer to use at Blush.
State one of the ethical implications of Blush
using these test results.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 95
96. Angelique is a cosmetics chemist who has a new
job at the cosmetics firm, Blush.
She has brought the formula for a lip gloss from
her old employer to use at Blush.
State one of the ethical implications of Blush
using these test results.
• Any one from:
• • Would infringe the other employer’s Information
• Intellectual Property Rights
• • Gives company an unfair advantage
• • Breach of trust
• • Stealing with reasoning that it is unethical
• • Do not accept legal implications eg copyright.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 96
97. State the name of the act that gives protection to
original ideas.
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 97
98. State the name of the act that gives protection to
original ideas.
• Information Intellectual Property
Rights
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers
Slide 98
99. Well done on your
revision!
Now, make sure you repeat any slides with
questions you got wrong.
Remember: Working through SQA past
papers is the best way to prepare for your
exam!
Questions adapted or extracted from SQA papers 99