Information and ICT Revision Questions &

Summary
1 What is primary information?

2 What is secondary information?

3 What is internal information?

4 What is external information?

5 Choose two different sources of information. Describe these sources and give
an example of each one.

6 Identify at least one cost and benefit of the sources of information chosen in
your answer above.

7 List at least three different types of information.

8 Identify at least five characteristics of good information.

9 Complete the table below by answering whether the source of information

linked to the purpose required is either high or low value, and give a reason
for your answer. The first one has been completed for you.

Source Purpose High/Low? Reason

Personal Computing To decide which High Information source is

Magazine computer to buy specific to the need
and is from a reliable
source
The Internet To find the latest
weather forecast
The Scotsman To decide how to cast
newspaper your vote at the next
election
Magazine advert for a To decide whether or
new snack food not to buy it
Conversation overhead To predict the winner
on the bus of the Snooker World
Championships
Scottish Qualifications TO find out students’
Authority exam results from last
year
Telephone banking TO find out the balance
service on your account
Horoscope in a To find out what will
magazine happen to you in the
future
Person standing next to To find out when the
you on the train station next train is due to
platform arrive

10 Identify at least three examples of information technology in use today.

11 What is a mainframe computer, and why is its use in modern business less
widespread?

12 Define the terms LAN and WAN, and explain how they are different.

13 How might a modern business make use of different types of computers?

Mention at least two different types.
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Higher Grade Business Management Knox Academy
 14 Define and explain the term ‘ICT’.

15 Identify and explain at least three examples of modern use of the

telecommunications network.

16 Give at least one advantage and one disadvantage of email.

17 How might a business make use of developments in IT and ICT to expand

its operations? You may wish to focus on an example of a modern business
that obviously used these developments to its advantage. As a guide, your
answer should be in the region of 150-200 words.

18 What is the scope of the Data Protection Act 1998?

19 List at least five Data Protection Principles.

20 What is the maximum time limit that an organisation has to respond to a

request for information?

21 List at least two circumstances where an individual could be refused

access to information held about themselves under the Data Protection Act
1998.

22 Describe the implications of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act

2002.

23 Discuss the importance of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

At the end of this unit you should be able to:

 Information is important to all businesses, particularly for decision-

making.

 Primary information is collected by business and is verifiable.

 Secondary information is collected from third parties and is not usually

traceable to source.

 Internal information is collected from within the business.

 External information is collected from sources outside the business.

 Generally, the more expensive the information, the more reliable and
verifiable it should be.

 Sources of information include primary, secondary, internal and external.

 Types of information include qualitative, quantitative, written, oral,

pictorial, graphical and numerical.

 There are various costs and benefits which can be associated with each
type and source of information.

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 High quality information should have the following characteristics
(CccOAaaT):
o Accuracy
o Timeliness
o Completeness
o Appropriateness
o Availability
o Cost
o Objectivity
o Conciseness

 Computers that are in common use today may be one of the following types:
o Mainframe
o Desktop
o Laptop
o Notebook
o Handheld/PDA

 The use of networks has transformed the way in which we use computers in
modern business and society.

 A LAN is a local area network typically used in an office.

 A WAN is a wide area network, eg the Internet.

 Information Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed the way

that we use computers to communicate and makes extensive use of the
telephone network.

 Email is the preferred form of business communication; fast and cheap to

use.

 The internet has revolutionised business and the way in which business
communicates.

 Use of the internet continues to expand, and new internet technologies

and uses are being developed.

 Other examples of IT include multimedia, CDs and DVDs.

You should be able to:

 Recognise the different uses of information technology in business.

 State the different costs and benefits of using IT
 Analyse and describe accurately different sources of information, in
terms of their reliability and value for a particular business.
 Analyse accurately the main types of information technology used in
modern business.
 Discuss the main costs and benefits of information technology to
business
 Discuss the main principles of the Data Protection Act 1998.
 Discuss the main principles of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
2002.
 Discuss the main principles of the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
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 Keep studying for your NAB and final exam.

Remember to practise past paper questions and ask for help in difficult areas.

Higher Grade Business Management Knox Academy