INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Data Capture and Input Methods

Data Capture Data capture means obtaining data for a computer. Collecting documents to be typed in Making measurements and keying in Asking people to fill in questionnaires Automated data capture means obtaining data directly by an input device without using a keyboard. Using document readers (OMR, MICR, OCR) Bar code readers Scanning pictures Using sensors for Data Logging

Data Capture Forms Data capture forms are designed to have computer input data written on them. A membership subscription form A questionnaire A turnaround document This is so that: Data is standardised with all records set out in the same way; People collecting the data know what data is required.

Turnaround Documents A turnaround document is produced by a computer, has more data added to it, and it is then input to the computer again. Example: Gas Board meter reading Advantages: Data which is already known to the computer does not need to be written or keyed in again. The computer can recognise each individual document using information it has already printed on it.

Design of Data Capture Forms Data capture forms should be designed to be: Simple Ask for the minimum of information Keep printed text to a minimum Clear Give clear instructions Keep fields close to spaces for information/answers Interesting If it looks attractive it is less effort to fill in

Questionnaires A survey is an operation to obtain information by observation or by asking questions. A questionnaire is a set of questions used in a survey to collect information from people. The data collected must be easily analysed

Data Analysis Data from questionnaires must be easily analysed and can be of several different types of closed questions: Questions requiring yes/no answers. Questions with several possible answers giving a simple choice. Questions where the answer is a number which measures a quantity.

Input Methods An input device is a peripheral which accepts data and sends it to the CPU: Keyboard Mouse Document reader (OMR, OCR, MICR) Light pens and touch screens Sensors Scanner Joysticks and game controllers Microphone

Document Readers Optical Mark Readers (OMR) OMR is a system of reading lines or marks which have been made inexactly the right positions on a document (School registers). Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Scanners read text and software recognises the letters from their shapes. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) An MICR reader recognises characters formed from magnetic ink, used for bank cheques.

Bars and Stripes Bar Codes A bar code is a set of parallel lines that represent numbers, used for shop goods. The lines do not represent prices. Magnetic Stripes A magnetic stripe includes information to identify the ticket or the user. Examples: credit cards; bank cards; switch cards; phone cards

EXAM QUESTIONS 1. A market researcher needs to find out what snacks people prefer, how much they are prepared to pay and when they are most likely to buy snacks. He should also attempt to find out if there are any variation in tastes depending on age and sex. a) Design a suitable questionnaire to collect the data. b) Describe two methods, other than a questionnaire, that can be used to collect data.

EXAM QUESTIONS 2. A point-of-sale system in a supermarket includes a scanner attached to each till to read bar codes. The bar code on a tin of peas contains the item code and and a check digit. a) Why does it not contain the price? b) What is the purpose of the check digit? c) The till receipt contains the name of the item and the price. How is this information obtained?