AQA ICT5 Revision, help thread

lawrence4

Hey all use this thread to post any problems you have encountered in revision etc, anything else which might help when taking ICT5.

I'll start with a problem I encountered :p:

Does anybody know a simple definition of normalisation and an example?

According to the mark scheme
'Normalisation is the process of breaking down complex data structures into simpler forms'
Heathcote
'Normalisation is a process used to come up with the best possible design for a relational database'

E.G. anyone?

I done this exam in January, and normalisation came up. If you are lucky it won't come up again in june but all I learnt for normalisation examples was:

1NF removes repeating data in a table (database)
2NF removes partial key dependencies
3NF removes non key dependencies.

Reply 3

OP

No I mean ICT, I've started doing past papers and it's the first Q on January 03, there is no e.g. in the mark scheme, it just says

Q
'A successful relational database will have undergone normalistion, describe what is meant by normaliastion (2 marks)

Mark Scheme
'Normalisation is the process of breaking down complex data structures into simpler forms'
But if you put ^ you only get 1 mark! The other is for expansion or example.

I guess if you explained each NF (1,2,3) you would get 2/2?

Reply 4

_Adam_

Definitely go with the definition in the Mark Scheme, for your expansion mark, or if it says explain/describe the process of normalisation:

1NF - remove repeating groups
2NF - remove partial key dependencies
3NF - remove non-key dependencies

That's it. You'll never be asked to normalise given data in your exam, although you may have done it in your coursework (there's simply too many possibilities)

Adam

lawrence4

Hey all use this thread to post any problems you have encountered in revision etc, anything else which might help when taking ICT5.

I'll start with a problem I encountered :p:

Does anybody know a simple definition of normalisation and an example?

According to the mark scheme
'Normalisation is the process of breaking down complex data structures into simpler forms'
Heathcote
'Normalisation is a process used to come up with the best possible design for a relational database'

E.G. anyone?

Reply 5

Shakeel

Is Information Technology Policy and Information Management Policy the same thing?

Reply 6

OP

Shakeel

Is Information Technology Policy and Information Management Policy the same thing?

Good Q lol, I think there is, but not 100% percent.... see these definitions.

The definition seems to be (heathcote) 'An infomation management policy help's manage computing resources in an effective and profitable way, and maximise benefits of information' :confused:

(Gardner) 'Broadly speaking, there are two models for developing an ICT policy, centralised and decentralised'

Centralised = ICT Department takes responsibility for development of all ICT systesms in organisaion, regardless of which area it is. All decisions about purchasing, development, training etc. go thru the centralised department. It therefore determines the overall policy of the organisation.

Decentralised = Each functional area makes its own decisions about what systems to develop and/or aquire. If accounting for example, needed a new application it would evaluate what was on the market and make a decision based on its own criteria.

Decentralised model is rare.

Reply 7

Shakeel

Is Information Technology Policy and Information Management Policy the same thing?

Do we need to know both?????? We only did the information management policy!! :eek:

Reply 8

lawrence4

No I mean ICT, I've started doing past papers and it's the first Q on January 03, there is no e.g. in the mark scheme, it just says

Q
'A successful relational database will have undergone normalistion, describe what is meant by normaliastion (2 marks)

Mark Scheme
'Normalisation is the process of breaking down complex data structures into simpler forms'
But if you put ^ you only get 1 mark! The other is for expansion or example.

I guess if you explained each NF (1,2,3) you would get 2/2?

For the example I'd put the proccess of 1stNF 2ndNF 3rdNF, then say breaking down a complext flat file database into a more effiecient relational database. Not really sure whether that would be a valid examle or not though.

Reply 9

Did anyone do or see the January 05 paper? I really want to know what the 20 mark question was on, and other main areas that were tested. Its not on the AQA website for a few months yet though

Reply 10

Wrinkles

emma155

Did anyone do or see the January 05 paper? I really want to know what the 20 mark question was on, and other main areas that were tested. Its not on the AQA website for a few months yet though

Is this for ICT05? I done the exam in Jan and the essay question (I think) was on backing up information. You had to write up why a company needs a backup plan, and what you need in it.

Reply 11

Wrinkles

Is this for ICT05? I done the exam in Jan and the essay question (I think) was on backing up information. You had to write up why a company needs a backup plan, and what you need in it.

Yes thanks, I did mean ICT5. Backup doesn't sound too bad as an essay question, I'm hoping that the essay question on Friday will be about software solutions, advantages, and disadvantages of each, but thats come up a few times already, so it probably won't.

Reply 12

OP

Does anybody know what you call it when you have a help function on a program and when you click on it, it gives you help specific to what you are doing on the program at the time?

Reply 13

krunalmeister

Hey the AQA Specification for UNIT 5 states

"Understand that hardware and software exists which allow packages to run on different platforms"

Theres emulators for software, but what hardware exists to alow this?...

Reply 14

OP

krunalmeister

Hey the AQA Specification for UNIT 5 states

"Understand that hardware and software exists which allow packages to run on different platforms"

Theres emulators for software, but what hardware exists to alow this?...

Didn't think there was any hardware emulators :confused:

Reply 15

sroberts60

i hate the policy part of ICT 5 its so vague and i cant remember anything on it!!!

could someone please write the key point that i need to learn

thanks :biggrin:

Reply 16

sroberts60

krunalmeister

Hey the AQA Specification for UNIT 5 states

"Understand that hardware and software exists which allow packages to run on different platforms"

Theres emulators for software, but what hardware exists to alow this?...

i dont think there are hardware emulators, its just you can have any kind of hardware platform and the emulator will allow the software to be used on it, regardless what hardware it is.

Reply 17

OP

The policy part is that like procedures adopted to discourage breaches of security?
If so then...
Having usernames and passwords with users allowed restricted access to the network e.g. In a DRs surgery the receptionist would not have access to patients diagnosis. This is appropriate as the receptionist does not ntted to know this information, this is relatively easy to implement.

Procedures for the use of removable media e.g. by not allowing/ having media facilities on computers. This is appropriate say in a DRs surgery for a receptionist as he/she has no need to take any computer work home with them and the information on the computer may be confidential.

Reply 18