Chapter 9

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Chapter 9 Structuring System Data Requirements

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Some systems developers believe that a data model is the most important part of the statement of information system requirements because: a. the characteristics of data captured during data modeling are crucial in the design of databases, programs, computer screens, and printed reports b. data rather than processes are the most complex aspects of many modern information systems and thus require a central role in structuring system requirements c. the characteristics about data are reasonably permanent d. all of the above 2. Which of the following is a true statement? a. Data characteristics are dynamic. b. A data model explains the transient form of an organization. c. An information system design based on a data orientation, rather than a process or logic orientation, should have a longer useful life. d. Data flow paths are permanent. 3. The most common format used for data modeling is: a. b. c. d. 4. state-transition diagramming entity-relationship diagramming process modeling decision table diagramming

Conceptual data modeling is typically done in parallel with other requirements analysis and structuring steps during: a. b. c. d. logical design physical design analysis implementation

5.

An E-R model with attributes is prepared during: a. b. c. d. design project identification and selection analysis project initiation and planning

6.

The data modeling perspective that derives the business rules for a data model from an intimate understanding of the nature of the business, rather than from any specific information requirements in screens, reports, or business forms, is referred to as the: a. b. c. d. top-down approach bottom-up approach overview approach business approach

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7.

The three main constructs of the entity-relationship modeling notation include each of the following except: a. b. c. d. data entities data flows relationships attributes

8.

A person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data refers to a(n): a. b. c. d. attribute data element relationship entity

9.

A single occurrence of an entity type defines: a. b. c. d. entity instance entity appearance attribute data element

10.

A named property or characteristic of an entity that is of interest to the organization defines: a. b. c. d. attribute relationship instance gerund

11.

An attribute (or combination of attributes) that uniquely identifies each instance of an entity type defines: a. b. c. d. data element occurrence trigger candidate key gerund

12.

For each entity, the name of the identifier is: a. b. c. d. identified by using a double-lined ellipse underlined on an E-R diagram bold on an E-R diagram written in all capital letters on an E-R diagram

13.

A set of two or more multivalued attributes that are logically related defines: a. b. c. d. relationship gerund repeating group class

14.

An association between the instances of one or more entity types that is of interest to the organization best defines: a. b. c. d. occurrence relationship coupling cardinality

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15.

If STUDENT and COURSE participate in a relationship, their relationship is a(n): a. b. c. d. unary relationship binary relationship ternary relationship extraordinary relationship

16.

The number of instances of entity B that can (or must) be associated with each instance of entity A refers to: a. b. c. d. cardinality domain ternary occurrence participation level

17.

A relationship that the data modeler chooses to model as an entity type best defines: a. b. c. d. recursive relationship associative entity domain complex relationship

18.

A subgrouping of the entities in an entity type that is meaningful to the organization and that shares common attributes or relationships distinct from other subgroupings best defines: a. b. c. d. child node disjoined entity subtype supertype

19.

Which of the following specifies that an entity instance can simultaneously be a member of two (or more) subtypes? a. b. c. d. total specialization rule partial specialization rule disjoint rule overlap rule

20.

The data manipulation operation (insert, delete, or update) that initiates the operation is called a(n): a. b. c. d. condition action user rule event

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Answers
1. Some systems developers believe that a data model is the most important part of the statement of information system requirements because: a. the characteristics of data captured during data modeling are crucial in the design of databases, programs, computer screens, and printed reports b. data rather than processes are the most complex aspects of many modern information systems and thus require a central role in structuring system requirements c. the characteristics about data are reasonably permanent d. all of the above Answer: d 2. Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 283

Which of the following is a true statement? a. Data characteristics are dynamic. b. A data model explains the transient form of an organization. c. An information system design based on a data orientation, rather than a process or logic orientation, should have a longer useful life. d. Data flow paths are permanent. Answer: c Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 284

3.

The most common format used for data modeling is: a. b. c. d. state-transition diagramming entity-relationship diagramming process modeling decision table diagramming Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 286

Answer: b 4.

Conceptual data modeling is typically done in parallel with other requirements analysis and structuring steps during: a. b. c. d. logical design physical design analysis implementation Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 285

Answer: c 5.

An E-R model with attributes is prepared during: a. b. c. d. design project identification and selection analysis project initiation and planning Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 287

Answer: c

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6.

The data modeling perspective that derives the business rules for a data model from an intimate understanding of the nature of the business, rather than from any specific information requirements in screens, reports, or business forms, is referred to as the: a. b. c. d. top-down approach bottom-up approach overview approach business approach Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 288

Answer: a 7.

The three main constructs of the entity-relationship modeling notation include each of the following except: a. b. c. d. data entities data flows relationships attributes Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 290

Answer: b 8.

A person, place, object, event, or concept in the user environment about which the organization wishes to maintain data refers to a(n): a. b. c. d. attribute data element relationship entity Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 290

Answer: d 9.

A single occurrence of an entity type defines: a. b. c. d. entity instance entity appearance attribute data element Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 291

Answer: a 10.

A named property or characteristic of an entity that is of interest to the organization defines: a. b. c. d. attribute relationship instance gerund Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 293

Answer: a 11.

An attribute (or combination of attributes) that uniquely identifies each instance of an entity type defines: a. b. c. d. data element occurrence trigger candidate key gerund Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 294

Answer: c

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12.

For each entity, the name of the identifier is: a. b. c. d. identified by using a double-lined ellipse underlined on an E-R diagram bold on an E-R diagram written in all capital letters on an E-R diagram Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 294

Answer: b 13.

A set of two or more multivalued attributes that are logically related defines: a. b. c. d. relationship gerund repeating group class Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 295

Answer: c 14.

An association between the instances of one or more entity types that is of interest to the organization best defines: a. b. c. d. occurrence relationship coupling cardinality Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 296

Answer: b 15.

If STUDENT and COURSE participate in a relationship, their relationship is a(n): a. b. c. d. unary relationship binary relationship ternary relationship extraordinary relationship Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 299

Answer: b 16.

The number of instances of entity B that can (or must) be associated with each instance of entity A refers to: a. b. c. d. cardinality domain ternary occurrence participation level Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 300

Answer: a 17.

A relationship that the data modeler chooses to model as an entity type best defines: a. b. c. d. recursive relationship associative entity domain complex relationship Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 302

Answer: b

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18.

A subgrouping of the entities in an entity type that is meaningful to the organization and that shares common attributes or relationships distinct from other subgroupings best defines: a. b. c. d. child node disjoined entity subtype supertype Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 305

Answer: c 19.

Which of the following specifies that an entity instance can simultaneously be a member of two (or more) subtypes? a. b. c. d. total specialization rule partial specialization rule disjoint rule overlap rule Difficulty: Med Reference: p. 306

Answer: d 20.

The data manipulation operation (insert, delete, or update) that initiates the operation is called a(n): a. b. c. d. condition action user rule event Difficulty: Hard Reference: p. 309

Answer: d