unit 308: monitor information systems ... · presentation powerpoint understand how information...

Level 3 Diploma in Business and Administration

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PowerPoint presentationUnderstand how information systems are used

Unit 308: Monitor information systems



Lesson objectives

• Explain techniques to validate the reliability of information.

• Analyse the suitability of different evaluation techniques related to

information systems.

• Assess the potential consequences of breaches of confidentiality.

• Evaluate the potential consequences of publishing reports

containing inaccurate or unsubstantiated information.



Validate the reliability of information

When would you need to

validate the reliability

information?




There are a number of options to validate the reliability of information.

These include:

• Double entry

• Proofreading

• Data type

• Range and constraint

• Code and cross-reference

• Structured

• Check digit

• Format check

• Length check

• Look up table

• Presence check

• Range check




Double entry

Entering the data twice and comparing the two values.

Proofreading

Read (printer's proofs or other written or printed material) and mark any

errors.

Data type

A particular kind of data item, as defined by the values it can take, the

programming language used, or the operations that can be performed

on it.




Range and constraint

Simple range and constraint validation may examine user input for

consistency with a minimum/maximum range, or consistency with a test

for evaluating a sequence of characters, such as one or more tests

against regular expressions.

Code and cross-reference

Code and cross-reference validation includes tests for data type

validation, combined with one or more operations to verify that the

user-supplied data is consistent with one or more external rules,

requirements or validity constraints relevant to a particular organisation,

context or set of underlying assumptions.

These additional validity constraints may involve cross-referencing

supplied data with a known look-up table or directory information

service.




Structured

Structured validation allows for the combination of any of various basic

data type validation steps, along with more complex processing.

Such complex processing may include the testing of conditional

constraints for an entire complex data object or set of process

operations within a system.

Check digit

Used for numerical data. An extra digit is added to a number which is

calculated from the digits. The computer checks this calculation when

data is entered.




Format check

Checks that ascertain that only expected characters are present in a

field.

Length check

Checks that a record has a valid number of related records.

Look-up table check

A table look-up check takes the entered data item and compares it to a

valid list of entries that are stored in a database table.




Presence check

Checks that important data is actually present and has not been missed

.

Range check

Checks that the data is within a specified range of values.




Activity

Answer these data

validation questions



Evaluation techniques

When monitoring an information system, there will be occasions that

you will evaluate the system.

There are a number of techniques to enable you to do this, including:

• Observation of users

• Surveys

• Interviews




Observation of users

User observation involves watching and listening carefully to users as

they work with a product. Although it is possible to collect far more

elaborate data, observing users is a quick way to obtain an objective

view of an information system.

As you observe, you see users doing things you never expected them

to do. When you see participants making mistakes, your first instinct

may be to blame the mistakes on the participant’s inexperience or lack

of intelligence. This is the wrong focus: the purpose of observing users

is to see what parts of your product might be difficult or ineffective.

Therefore, if you see a participant struggling or making mistakes, you

should attribute the difficulties to faulty system design not to the

participant.




Surveys and interviews

Completion of surveys and interviews with users will enable you to

obtain their views and opinions about the system’s day-to-day use and

functionality.

Results can be analysed to identify re-occurring frustrations or issues.




Activity:

Design a survey for the

information system



Breaches in confidentiality

A breach of confidentiality occurs when data or information provided in

confidence to you is disclosed to a third party without consent.

What information could

be disclosed?




The data protection act

The Data Protection Act (DPA) is a law designed to protect personal

data stored on computers or in an organised paper filing system.

The Act's definition of ‘personal data’ covers any data that can be used

to identify a living individual.




Today, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has several

options when it finds an organisation in breach of the UK Data

Protection Act. Here are some examples:

• Monetary penalty notices: fines of up to £500,000 for serious

breaches of the DPA.

• Prosecutions and possible prison sentences for deliberately

breaching the DPA.




Activity:

Research the 8

principles of the data

protection act



Publishing reports

When publishing reports you will need to ensure they contain accurate

and substantiated information.

Why do you think this

is important?



Publishing reports

There could be a number of consequences for publishing inaccurate or

unsubstantiated information, including:

• Damage to reputation

• Decision-making errors

• Damage to service

• Damage to profitability



Publishing reports

Activity:

What would be the best

validation technique?



Any questions?

unit 308: monitor information systems ... · presentation powerpoint understand how information...

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