February 2011

Master of Computer Application (MCA) – Semester 4

MC0076 – Management Information Systems– 4 Credits

(Book ID: B0901)

Assignment Set – 1 (60 Marks)

Answer all Questions Each question carries TEN marks

Q.1 a. Explain the impact of MIS in the area of police Information system. [5 Marks]

b. What are the functions and disadvantages of MIS? [5 Marks]

Q.2 Discuss the Components of an Organizational Information System. [10 marks]

Q.3 what are the features contributing to success and failures of MIS models?

[10 Marks]

Q.4 Explain the relationship between artificial intelligence and neural networks with help of a

scenario. [10 Marks]

Q.5 What do you understand by Multinational corporation, Global corporation, International corporation, Transnational corporation.

[10 marks]

Q.6 What are the limitations of ERP systems? How ERP packages help in overcoming

theses limitations [10 Marks]

www.lexcodetechnologies.com

February 2011

Master of Computer Application (MCA) – Semester 4

MC0076 – Management Information Systems– 4 Credits

(Book ID: B0901)

Assignment Set – 2 (60 Marks)

Answer all Questions Each question carries TEN marks

Q.1 list and discuss the different level of organization by which information needed.

[10 Marks]

Q.2 Explain the control issues in management information systems. [10 Marks]

Q.3 Discuss the function for manager. [10 marks]

Q.4 a. describe business plan Vs MIS plan [5 marks]

b. What are the different classes of information [5 marks]

Q.5 Explain the various cognitive style as identified by James McKinney and Peter Keen.

[10 Marks]

Q.6 Bring out the table that indicate the various classes of information [10 marks]

Assignment Set – 1(ANSWER-1)

MIS is an Information system which helps in providing the management of an organization with information which is used by management for decision making.

A management information system (MIS) is a subset of the overall internal controls of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies, and procedures by management accountants to solving business problems such as costing a product, service or a business-wide strategy. Management information systems are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization. Academically, the term is commonly used to refer to the group of information management methods tied to the automation or support of human decision making, e.g. Decision Support Systems, Expert systems, and Executive information systems.

During the period of preindustrial revolution most of the data processing was done manually. It was after the industrial revolution that the computers slowly started replacing manual labour. The modern digital computer was basically designed to handle scientific calculations. During the period 1940 to 1960 computers were commercially used for census and payroll work. This involvedLarge amount of data and its processing. Since then the commercial application exceeded the scientific applications for which the computer were mainly intended for. MIS is an Information system which helps in providing the management of an organization with information which is used by management for decision making.

The Basic characteristics of an effective Management Information System are as follows:

.Management-oriented: The basic objective of MIS is to provide information support to

the management in the organization for decision making. So an effective MIS should start its journey from appraisal of management needs, mission and goal of the business organization. It may be individual or collective goals of an organization. The MIS is such that it serves all the levels of management in an organization i.e. top, middle and lower level.II.Management directed: When MIS is management-oriented, it should be directed by the management because it is the management who tells their needs and requirements more effectively than anybody else. Manager should guide the MIS professionals not only at the stage of planning but also on development, review and implementation stages so that effective system should be the end product of the whole exercise in making an effective MIS.III.Integrated: It means a comprehensive or complete view of all the sub systems in the organization of a company. Development of information must be integrated so that all the operational and functional information sub systems should be worked together as a single entity. This integration is necessary because it leads to retrieval of more meaningful and useful information.V.Common data flows: The integration of different sub systems will lead to a common data flow which will further help in avoiding duplicacy and redundancy in data collection, storage and processing. For example, the customer orders are the basis for many activities in an organization viz. billing, sales for cashing, etc. Data is collected by a system analyst from its original source only one time. Then he utilizes the data with minimum number of processing procedures and uses the information for production output documents and reports in small numbers and eliminates the undesirable data. This will lead to elimination of duplication that simplify the operations and produce an efficient information system.V.Heavy planning-element: The preparation of MIS is not a one or two day exercise. It usually takes 3 to 5 years and sometimes a much longer period. So the system expert has to keep 2 things in mind – one is that he has to keep future objectives as well as the firm’s information well in advance and also he has to keep in mind that his MIS will not be obsolete before it gets into action.VI.Sub System concept: When a problem is seen in 2 sub parts, then the better solution to the problem is possible. Although MIS is viewed as a single entity but for its effective use, it should be broken down in small parts or subsystems so that more attention and insight is paid to each sub system. Priorities will be set and phase of

implementation will be made easy. While making or breaking down the whole MIS into subsystems, it should be kept in mind that the subsystems should be easily manageable.VII.Common database: This is the basic feature of MIS to achieve the objective of using MIS in business organizations. It avoids duplication of files and storage which leads to reduction in costs. Common database means a “Super file or Master file” which consolidates and integrates data records formerly stored in many separate data files. The organization of the database allows it to be accessed by each subsystem and thus, eliminates the necessity of duplication in data storage, updating, deletion and protection.VIII.Computerized: MIS can be used without a computer. But the use of computers increases the effectiveness and the efficiency of the system. The queries can be handled more quickly and efficiently with the computerized MIS. The other benefits are accuracy, storage capacity and timely information.IX.User friendly/Flexibility: An MIS should be flexible i.e. there should be room for further modification because the MIS takes much time in preparation and our environment is dynamic in nature.MIS should be such that it should be used independently by the end user so that they do not depend on the experts.X.Information as a resource: Information is the major ingredient of any MIS. So, an MIS should be treated as a resource and managed properlyDISADVANTAGES1.highly senstive requires constant monitoring.2.buddgeting of MIS extremely difficult.3.Quality of outputs governed by quality of inputs.4.lack of flexiblity to update itself.5.effectiveness decreases due to frequent changes in top management6.takes into account only qualitative factors and ignores non-qualitative factors like morale of worker, attitude of worker etc...

An information system (IS) - or application landscape - is any combination of information technology and people's activities using that technology to support operations, management, and decision-making. In a very broad sense, the term information system is frequently used to refer to the interaction between people, algorithmic processes, data and technology. In this sense, the term is used to refer not only to the information and communication technology (ICT) an organization uses, but also to the way in which people interact with this technology in support of business processes.

Some make a clear distinction between information systems, and computer systems ICT, and business processes. Information systems are distinct from information technology in that an information system is typically seen as having an ICT component. Information systems are also different from business processes. Information systems help to control the performance of business processes.

[4]

Alter argues for an information system as a special type of work system. A work system is a system in which humans and/or machines perform work using resources (including ICT) to produce specific products and/or services for customers. An information system is a work system whose activities are devoted to processing (capturing, transmitting, storing, retrieving, manipulating and displaying) information.[5]

Part of the difficulty in defining the term information system is due to vagueness in the definition of related terms such as system and information. Following the pioneering work of Ronald Stamper, Beynon-Davies argues for a clearer terminology based in systemics and semiotics. He defines an information system as an example of a system concerned with the manipulation of signs. An information system is a type of socio-technical system. An information system is a mediating construct between actions and technology.[6]

As such, information systems inter-relate with data systems on the one hand and activity systems on the other. An information system is a form of communication system in which data represent and are processed as a form of social memory. An information system can also be considered a semi-formal language which supports human decision making and action.

Information systems are the primary focus of study for the information systems discipline and for organisational informatics.

Assignment Set – 1(ANSWER-2)

1) Dramatic Increase of Available KnowledgeWhether measured in terms of the number of scholarly journals, patents and copyrights, or in termsof the volumes of corporate communications, both the production and the distribution of knowledgehave undergone a manifold increase.2) Growth of ComplexityHuber characterizes complexity in terms of numerosity, diversity, and interdependence. A growingworld population and the industrial revolution combined to producenumerosity,or a growingnumber of human organizations. To succeed, people and organizations learned to specialize: they dothings differently and organize themselves differently to accomplish specialized tasks. Thesedifferences lead todiversity.Two principal factors have led to increasedinterdependence.The first as been the revolution in theinfrastructure of transportation and communication. The second factor is specialization in firms thatmake narrowly defined products, as opposed to the self-sufficiency of companies producing acomplex product down to its minute elements. A company’s product is typically a part of a largersystem, produced with contributions from a number of interdependent firms (consider a car or acomputer). Moreover, interdependence has increased on a global scale. Even the most isolated ofcountries participates in some way in the international division of labor.3) Increased TurbulenceThe pace of events in an information society is set by technologies. The speeds of today’s computerand communication technologies have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of eventsoccurring within a given time. Consider the volumes and speed of trades in the securities andcurrency markets. Widespread use of telefacsimile, as another example, has removed the "float"-thelag between sending and receiving-in written communications. Equally important, because of theinfrastructure discussed earlier, the number of events that actually influence an organization’sactivities (effective events) has also grown rapidly.The great amount of change and turbulence pressuring organizations today thus calls for rapidinnovation in both product and organizational structure. To thrive, an organization must haveinformation systems able to cope with large volumes of information in a selective fashion.

Assignment Set – 1(ANSWER-3)

Factors contributing to success of MIS: If MIS is to be success, then it should have all the features listed below: 1) MIS is integrated into the management function. It sets clear objectives to ensure that MIS focuses on the major issues of the business. Also adequate development resources are provided and human & organizational barriers to progress are removed 2) An appropriate information processing technology required to meet the data processing and analysis needs of the users of MIS is selected. 3) MIS is oriented, defined and designed in terms of the user's requirements and its operational viability is ensured. 4) MIS is kept under continuous surveillance, sot that its open system is modified according to the changing information needs 5) MIS focuses on results and goals, and highlights the factors and reasons for non achievements. 6) MIS is not allowed to end up into and information generation mill avoiding the noise in the information and the communication system. 7) MIS recognizes that a manager is a human being and therefore, the systems must consider all the human behavioral aspects in the process of management. 8) MIS is easy to operate and therefore, the design of MIS has such good features which make up a user friendly design. 9) MIS recognizes that the information needs become obsolete and new needs emerge. The MIS design, therefore, has a potential capability to quickly meet newer and newer needs of information. 10) MIS concentrates on developing the information support to manage critical success factors. It concentrates on the mission critical applications serving the needs of the top management. Factors contributing to failures: Many times, MIS is a failure. The common factors which are responsible for this are as follows:

1) MIS is conceived as a data processing and not as an information system. 2) MIS does not provide that information which in needed by managers but it tends to provide the information generally the function calls for. MIS then becomes an impersonal function. 3) Understanding the complexity in the business systems and not recognizing it in the MIS design leads to problems in the successful implementation. 4) Adequate attention is not given to the quality control aspects of the inputs, the process and the outputs leading to insufficient checks and controls in MIS. 5) MIS is developed without streamlining the transaction processing systems in the organizations. 6) Lack of training and appreciation that the users of the information and the generators of the data are different, and they have to play an important role in the MIS. 7) MIS does not meet certain critical and key factors of its users, such as a response to the query on the database, an inability to get the processing done in a particular manner, lack of user friendly system and the dependence on the system personnel. 8) A belief that the computerized MIS can solve all the management problems of planning and control of the business. 9) Lack of administrative discipline in following the standardized systems and procedures, wrong coding and deviating from the system specifications result in incomplete and incorrect information. 10) MIS does not give perfect information to all users in the organization. Any attempt toward such a goal will be unsuccessful because every user has a human ingenuity, bias and certain assumptions not known to the designer. MIS cannot make up these by providing perfect information.

Assignment Set – 1(ANSWER-4)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chances of success. John McCarthy, who coined the term in 1956, defines it as "the science and engineering of making intelligent machines."

The field was founded on the claim that a central property of humans, intelligence—the sapience of Homo sapiens—can be so precisely described that it can be simulated by a machine. This raises philosophical issues about the nature of the mind and the ethics of creating artificial beings, issues which have been addressed by myth, fiction and philosophy since antiquity. Artificial intelligence has been the subject of optimism, but has also suffered setbacks and, today, has become an essential part of the technology industry, providing the heavy lifting for many of the most difficult problems in computer science.

AI research is highly technical and specialized, deeply divided into subfields that often fail to communicate with each other.Subfields have grown up around particular institutions, the work of individual researchers, the solution of specific problems, longstanding differences of opinion about how AI should be done and the application of widely differing tools. The central problems of AI include such traits as reasoning, knowledge, planning, learning, communication, perception and the ability to move and manipulate objects.General intelligence (or "strong AI") is still among the field's long term goals.

The term neural network was traditionally used to refer to a network or circuit of biological neurons The modern usage of the term often refers to artificial neural networks, which are composed of artificial neurons or nodes. Thus the term has two distinct usages:

1. Biological neural networks are made up of real biological neurons that are connected or functionally related in the peripheral nervous system or the central nervous system. In the field of neuroscience, they are often identified as groups of neurons that perform a specific physiological function in laboratory analysis. 2. Artificial neural networks are made up of interconnecting artificial neurons (programming constructs that mimic the properties of biological neurons). Artificial neural networks may either be used to gain an understanding of biological neural networks, or for solving artificial intelligence problems without necessarily creating a model of a real biological system. The real, biological nervous system is highly complex and includes some features that may seem superfluous based on an understanding of artificial networks.

This article focuses on the relationship between the two concepts; for detailed coverage of the two different concepts refer to the separate articles: Biological neural network and Artificial neural network.Neural networks and artificial intelligenceA neural network (NN), in the case of artificial neurons called artificial neural network (ANN) or simulated neural network (SNN), is an interconnected group of natural or artificial neurons that uses a mathematical or computational model for information processing based on a connectionistic approach to computation. In most cases an ANN is an adaptive system that changes its structure based on external or internal information that flows through the network.

In more practical terms neural networks are non-linear statistical data modeling or decision making tools. They can be used to model complex relationships between inputs and outputs or to find patterns in data.

However, the paradigm of neural networks - i.e., implicit, not explicit , learning is stressed - seems more to correspond to some kind of natural intelligence than to the traditional Artificial Intelligence, which would stress, instead, rule-based learning.

Assignment Set – 1(ANSWER-5)International companies are importers and exporters, they have no investment outside of their home country.Multinational companies have investment in other countries, but do not have coordinated product offerings in each country. More focused on adapting their products and service to each individual local market.Global companies have invested and are present in many countries. They market their products through the use of the same coordinated image/brand in all markets. Generally one corporate office that is responsible for global strategy. Emphasis on volume, cost management and efficiency.Transnational companies are much more complex organizations. They have invested in foreign operations, have a central corporate facility but give decision-making, R&D and marketing powers to each individual foreign market.

Assignment Set – 1(ANSWER-6)

The advantages and disadvantages of ERP is an interesting Study. The foremost advantage of an ERP system is bringing down the costs and saving the valuable time which would have otherwise been wasted in procedural maneuvers and unwanted delays. Different software programs maintained in the departments were proving to be a great hurdle. Since ERP is a uniform platform it ensures that there in no discrepancy in the information that is processed.Industry wise advantagesManufacturing Sector--------------------Speeding up the whole process.

Distribution and retail Stores-----------Accessing the status of the goods

Transport Sector---------------------------Transmit commodities through online transactions.

Project Service industry-----------------Fastens the compilation of reports.

The advantage and disadvantage of ERP is best understood by studying them under different categories. Hence the next paragraph presents information on corporates as a whole because the advantage of ERP systems in a company is different when compared industry wise.Advantages in a corporate entityThe accounts department personnel can act independently. They don't have to be behind the technical persons every time to record the financial transactions.

Ensures quicker processing of information and reduces the burden of paperwork.

Serving the customers efficiently by way of prompt response and follow up.

Disposing queries immediately and facilitating the payments from customers with ease and well ahead of the stipulated deadline.

It helps in having a say over your competitor and adapting to the whims and fancies of the market and business fluctuations. The swift movement of goods to rural areas and in lesser known places has now become a reality with the use of ERP.

The database not only becomes user friendly but also helps to do away with unwanted ambiguity.

ERP is suitable for global operations as it encompasses all the domestic jargons, currency conversions, diverse accounting standards, and multilingual facilities .In short it is the perfect commercial and scientific epitome of the verse "Think Local. Act Global".

ERP helps to control and data and facilitates the necessary contacts to acquire the same.DisadvantageInspite of rendering marvelous services ERP is not free from its own limitations. ERP calls for a voluminous and exorbitant investment of time and money. The amount of cash required would even be looming on the management given the fact that such an outlay is not a guarantee to the said benefits but subject to proper implementation, training and use. In the ever expanding era of information theft ERP is no exception. It is alarming to note the time taken to implement the system in the organization. These means large amounts of workers have to shun their regular labor and undertake training. This not only disturbs the regular functioning of the organization but also runs the organization in the huge risk of losing potential business in that particular period. There are great benefits rendered by the system. On the other hand when one thinks of this information reach in the hands of undeserving persons who could do more than misuse ,it is evident that there is no way of ensuring secrecy of information and larger chances of risk will be generated as long as they are in the public domain.ConclusionERP is recommended in an organization not only because the advantages outnumber the disadvantages but also by keeping in mind the ways to overcome the disadvantages. An organization has to correctly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of ERP before going for them.

Assignment Set – 2(ANSWER-1)

Strategic management level: Strategic network optimization, including the number, location, and size of warehousing, distribution centers, and facilities. #Strategic partnerships with suppliers, distributors, and customers, creating communication channels for critical information and operational improvements such as cross docking, direct shipping, and third-party logistics. # Product life cycle management, so that new and existing products can be optimally integrated into the supply chain and capacity management activities. # Information technology chain operations. # Where-to-make and make-buy decisions.

#Aligning overall organizational strategy with supply strategy. #It is for long term and needs resource commitment.

Tactical management level # Sourcing contracts and other purchasing decisions. # Production decisions, including contracting, scheduling, and planning process definition. # Inventory decisions, including quantity, location, and quality of inventory. # Transportation strategy, including frequency, routes, and contracting. # Benchmarking of all operations against competitors and implementation of best practices throughout the enterprise. # Milestone payments. # Focus on customer demand and Habits.

Operational management level # Daily production and distribution planning, including all nodes in the supply chain. # Production scheduling for each manufacturing facility in the supply chain (minute by minute). # Demand planning and forecasting, coordinating the demand forecast of all customers and sharing the forecast with all suppliers. #Sourcing planning, including current inventory and forecast demand, in collaboration with all suppliers. #Inbound operations, including transportation from suppliers and receiving inventory. #Production operations, including the consumption of materials and flow of finished goods. #Outbound operations, including all fulfillment activities, warehousing and transportation to customers. #Order promising, accounting for all constraints in the supply chain, including all suppliers, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and other customers. #From production level to supply level accounting all transit damage cases & arrange to settlement at customer level by maintaining company loss through insurance company.

Consider information required by different departments at different levels as above i.e

human resource department,financial department,marketing department,production/operations department

Assignment Set – 2(ANSWER-2)

Control procedures must be set up to ensure that information is correct and relevant an institution's MIS should be designed to achieve the following goals:• Enhance communication among employees.• Deliver complex material throughout the institution.• Provide an objective system for recording and aggregating information.Management Information Systems 2 Comptroller's Handbook• Reduce expenses related to labor-intensive manual activities.• Support the organization's strategic goals and direction. MIS is a critical component of the institution's overall risk management strategy. MIS supports management's ability to perform such reviews. MIS should be used to recognize, monitor, measure, limit, and manage risks. Risk management involves four main elements:• Policies or practices.• Operational processes.• Staff and management.• Feedback devices.Frequently, operational processes and feedback devices are intertwined and cannot easily be viewed separately. The most efficient and useable MIS should be both operational and informational. As such, management can use

MIS to measure performance, manage resources, and help an institution comply with regulatory requirements. One example of this would be the managing and reporting of loans to insiders. MIS can also be used bymanagement to provide feedback on the effectiveness of risk controls. Controls are developed to support the proper management of risk through the institution's policies or practices, operational processes, and the assignment of duties and responsibilities to staff and managers. Comptroller's Handbook 3 Management Information Systems Technology advances have increased both the availability and volume of information management and the directors have available for both planning and decision making. Correspondingly, technology also increases the potential for inaccurate reporting and flawed decision making. Because data can be extracted from many financial and transaction systems, appropriate control procedures must be set up to ensure that information is correct andrelevant. In addition, since MIS often originates from multiple equipment platforms including mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers, controls must ensure that systems on smaller computers have processing controls that are as well defined and as effective as those commonly found on the traditionally larger mainframe systems. All institutions must set up a framework of sound fundamental principles that identify risk, establish controls, and provide for effective MIS review and monitoring systems throughout the organization. Commonly, an organization may choose to establish and express these sound principles in writing. The OCC fully endorses and supports placing these principles in writing to enhance effective communications throughout the institution. If however,management follows sound fundamental principles and governs the risk in the MIS Review area, a written policy is not required by the OCC. If sound principles are not effectively practiced, the OCC may require management to establish written MIS policies to formally communicate risk parameters and controls in this area.Sound fundamental principles for MIS review include proper internal controls,operating procedures and safeguards, and audit coverage.

Assignment Set – 2(ANSWER-3)

A manager's most basic responsibility is to focus people toward performance of work activities to achieve desired outcomes

All managers at all levels of every organization perform these functions, but the amount of time a manager spends on each one depends on both the level of management and the specific organization. Some of these functions include:· Planning: This step involves mapping out exactly how to achieve a particular goal. Say, for example, that the organization's goal is to improve company sales. The manager first needs to decide which steps are necessary to accomplish that goal. These steps may include increasing advertising, inventory, and sales staff. These necessary steps are developed into a plan. When the plan is in place, the manager can follow it to accomplish the goal of improving company sales.· Organizing: After a plan is in place, a manager needs to organize her team and materials according to her plan. Assigning work and granting authority are two important elements of organizing.· Staffing: After a manager discerns his area's needs, he may decide to beef up his staffing by recruiting, selecting, training, and developing employees. A manager in a large organization often works with the company's human resources department to accomplish this goal.· Leading: A manager needs to do more than just plan, organize, and staff her team to achieve a goal. She must also lead. Leading involves motivating, communicating, guiding, and encouraging. It requires the manager to coach, assist, and problem solve with employees.· Controlling: After the other elements are in place, a manager's job is not finished. He needs to continuously check results against goals and take any corrective actions necessary to make sure that his area's plans remain on track.

Assignment Set – 2(ANSWER-4a)

Many corporations that installed the most advanced computer technology have found that the new capabilities have also forced them to make further changes--at a pace faster than desired. A fast, sophisticated tool can let people recognize, understand and fix problems, but it can also create other problems. Corporations, some observers say, must implement an enterprise model capable of managing change and forecasting the impact of anticipated problems on a business.

MIS goals and objectives: It is necessary to develop the goals and objectives for the MIS which will support the business goals. The MIS goals and objectives will consider management philosophy, policy constraints, business risks, internal and external environment of the organization and the business. The goals and the objectives of the MIS would be so stated that they can be measured. The typical statements of the goals are as under: Provide on-line information on the stocks, markets and the accounts balances. The query processing should not exceed more than three seconds. The focus of the system will be on the end user computing and access facilities. Information support will be the first in the strategic areas of management. Table differentiating between Business Plan versus MIS Plan as below:Business Plan MIS Plan

Business goals and objectives. Management information system, objectives, consistent to the business goals and objectives.

Business plan and strategy Information strategy for the business plan implementation playing a supportive role.

Strategy planning and decisions. Architecture of the Management Information system to support decisions.

Management Plan for execution and control. System development schedule, matching the plan execution

Operation plan for the execution. Hardware and software plan for the procurement and the implementation.

Such statements of the goals and objectives enable the designer to set the direction and design implementation strategies for the MIS. Strategy for the plan achievement: The designer has to take a number of strategic decisions for the achievement of the MIS goals and objectives. They are: a. Development strategy: An online, a batch, a real time. b. System Development Strategy: An approach to the system development – Operational versus Functional; Accounting versus Analysis; Database versus Conventional Approach; Distributed versus Decentralized processing; one Database versus Multiple database SSAD vs. OOT. c. Resource for System Development: In-house versus external, customized development versus the use of packages.

Assignment Set – 2(ANSWER-4b)

In order to obtain useful information for your assignment you need to identify what kind of information you need. Different kinds of information can be found in different types of resources. The kind of information you need will then determine which resource is the most appropriate.

Types of InformationDifferent sorts of questions require different types of information to answer. In order to gather evidence to support an argument, you first need an idea of what types of information are suitable. You can gain a sense of which types of information are appropriate for your project by answering the questions in this section.

Contents• What is my assignment and what are my opportunities for research?In order to research effectively you need a solid understanding of what sort of evidence your assignment requires and what is available.• Which academic disciplines does my research touch upon?Research papers are usually written with the goal of contributing to the dialogue of a particular discipline. To do so, a paper must follow the standards of research and evidence for that discipline. Description for different types of Information as follows: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Information: Most information is generally divided into three main categories: Primary ,Secondary and Tertiary.Primary Information: Original material that has not been interpreted or analysied. Examples: Statistics, Research articles, Blogs, WebsitesSecondary Material: Created from primary material, interpretating original material. Examples: Texbooks, Review articlesTertiary Material: Acts as a tool in understanding and locating information. Examples: Databases, Subject Gateways, Dictionaries, Bibliographies

Different types of Information Systems: Information systems are constantly changing and evolving as technology continues to grow. Very importantly the information systems described below are not mutually exclusive and some (especially Expert Systems, Management Information Systems and Executive Information Systems are can be seen as a subset of Decision Support Systems). However these examples are not the only overlaps and the divions of these information systems will change over time.At present there are five main types:

• Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) • Decision Support Systems (DSS) • Expert Information Systems (EIS) • Management Information Systems (MIS)• Office Automation Systems (OAS)

Assignment Set – 2(ANSWER-5)

Decision making is a cognitive activity, as are other phenomena such as learning or understanding language. In general, human cognition is human information processing. People display distinct cognitive styles in the ways they gather and evaluate information. In their analysis of how managers’ minds work, James McKinney and Peter Keen have classified the information related modes of thought along two dimensions: information gathering and information evaluation.

The information-gathering dimension focuses on perception, on the way a person organizes the verbal and visual stimuli he or she encounters. Preceptive individuals bring to bear concepts ("precepts") to filter incoming stimuli; from the framework of these concepts, they look for specific conformities with or devia tions from the concepts they have already formed. Receptive decision makers focus on details rather than on a pattern and attempt to form a general picture of the situation from these details (a characteristic of inductive thinking).

Information evaluation relates to the way an individual brings information to bear in the process of decision making. A systematic (or analytic) decision maker approaches a problem by structuring it and applying a well-defined method expected to lead to a solution. An intuitive individual applies heuristics (rules of thumb) and shortcuts and uses trial and error to find a solution; these people are more willing to go with their "gut feeling" about the problem. McKinney and Keen stress that all of these modes of thought are appropriate in certain situations, and some combinations of them are particularly fit in certain occupations.

While the importance of individual cognitive style in the design of MIS has been contested, the fact that significant differences exist among individual decision-making processes should inform the way systems are designed. In

particular, developers of information systems tend to be systematic individuals and thus tend to assume that the users are (or should be) the same. End-user system development and a number of available packages have ad-dressed the necds of intuitive (or heuristic) decision making. These systems allow the user to play out a variety of scenarios; the user is able to identify and test new alternatives. Such systems should not impose a preset processing order, but rather allow the user the freedom to set this order as he or she is working. It is desirable that the system allow an easy shift back and forth between summarized and detailed data (needed by receptive individuals). A variety of tabular and graphical output formats should also be available. Much of this wish list is now fulfilled in well-designed DSS and EIS.

Assignment Set – 2(ANSWER-6)

There are three types of information systems projects: manual, manual to automated, and reautomation. The last, reautomation, has four subtypes: system rewrite, system redesign and redevelopment, system enhancement, and system maintenance. Each of these involves different, and yet similar, work. The work is similar in that the development activities which are involved in each follow the same general phases and approach. They are different in that the environment that the analyst must examine has substantially different characteristics.This chapter examines each of the various types of analysis projects, along with a brief discussion of the Gibson-Nolan electronic data processing (EDP) stages of growth theory and its impact on the analysis process. In addition there is a brief discussion of the Anthony model of organizational structure.A definitionPersonal Computer (PC) - also known as microcomputers or workstations, by the model name of the specific vendor (i.e. Apple [1], Macintosh [2], or PS/2 [3]) or by the brand name, model and speed of the processor (i.e. Pentium, Intel or 486/33 [4]) Any combination of processor, input device and output device designed for use by a single individual. Personal computers may also be called workstations.Personal computers may have a character orientation, a graphical orientation, may be connected to other personal computers, or may operate in a stand alone mode, and may or may not have connectivity to a mainframe. Personal computer software is normally characterized by an operating system which provides basic file access, management and display services and well as application scheduling and management.Reasons For Initiating Information Systems Analysis Projects• As part of a program of System Modernization.• A change in the basic aspects of the user's functional role• A change in company strategic objectives• A need for increased performance, greater or different functionality, different operating characteristics, or increased user friendliness from the automated systems• A need for more direct and immediate access to the firm's automated files.• A need to upgrade the system to take advantage of more current technology.• A need to clean up the systemThe Three Types of Information Systems Analysis ProjectsThe scope and magnitude of the functional and procedural changes may be fairly narrow or wide ranging. In some cases, aside from re-coding the system, there may be no changes in functionality at all.Given the variety of reasons for a project being undertaken, the starting point may also be quite different from project to project. These starting points reflect the differences in current user processing environments and the current level of user automation. Because of these differences in current user processing environments and user automation, information systems projects can be categorized into three types.1.Manual 2.Manual to automated 3.Reautomation 4.The last, reautomation, has four subtypes.

a) System rewriteb) System redesign and redevelopmentc) System enhancementd) System maintenance

From an analysis perspective, each of these types of projects involves different, and yet similar, work. The work is similar in that the development activity.