3.2 Data and Information

1. 3.2 Data and Information

2. Overview Understand the difference between information and data. Discuss features important in form design such as: use of tick boxes, colour, font, position, instructions. Identify advantages, disadvantages and applications for OMR and OCR.

3. Data Data is raw facts and figures. Data does not have meaning. Examples: 5 John A

4. Information Information is processed data that gives it meaning. Examples: There are 5 cows in the field. My brother’s name is John.

5. Gathering information Method • Questionnaire • Observation • Reading documentation • Interview

6. Gathering information Source • Paper based • Computer based • Automated data capture

7. Sources compared

8. For each of the following features state the importance of considering them in form design.

9. Samples of forms

10. OMR Advantages Disadvantages Forms require pre-printed boxes Forms need to be carefully filled in Requires specialised machinery to read the forms A paper based system so forms need to be carefully handled • Direct data capture method • High speed reading of large volumes of data • Accurate: No processing errors • Results can be processed quickly • Very little staff training required

11. Sample OMR form

12. OCR Advantages Disadvantages Handwriting needs to be learnt by the computer Systems are expensive • Large quantities of text can be input quickly • A paper based form can be turned into an electronic one • It can read handwriting

13. Applications OMR OCR Letter sorting Digitising old books • National lottery • School attendance mark sheets

14. Acronyms • OCR Optical Character Recognition • OMR Optical Mark Recognition