2005 HSC Paper - Section II

Section II of the 2005 HSC Paper consists of 4 short answer questions with sub-questions a, b and c (only a and b for question 24). This page provides dot-point answers to each question, the area of study each question falls under and a reference that can justify each answer. As such, this page is best used in conjunction with the paper open in a separate window or tab.

References follow the following format:
 * (Area of study) [source] page number/url


 * [1] Refers to 'Information Processes and Technology HSC Course' by Peter Ware + Paul Cheleski + Bill Chivers
 * [2] Refers to 'Information Processes and Technology HSC Course' (2007), by Sam Davis
 * [3] Refers to 'Information Processes and Technology The Preliminary Course' (2004), by Sam Davis
 * [4] Refers to non-textbook resources such as websites.

Question 21a

 * A communication protocol is formal description of digital message formats and the rules for exchanging those messages in or between computing systems and in telecommunications.
 * Examples: Parity checking, Check sum & CRC (cyclic redundancy check)

(Communication Systems) [1] p90; [2] p231; [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_protocol modified 13.11.10 at 00:07.

Question 21b

 * Include other meta language e.g. board of studies information process and technology.
 * Key terms would use "AND" operator and double quotes so that the text string is exactly matched. Important because words like 'boards, studies & information' might be found widely in irrelevant documents.
 * Use "NOT" operator to exclude obviously irrelevant data.

(Communication Systems) [1] p74; [2] p74

Question 21c

 * Include metalanguage on each page - improved method of searching
 * Beta testing (Testing by non-expert users who attempt to search information they expect to find on the +site by using keywords)

(Project Work) [2] p197-198

Question 22a
An example of data redundancy in the table is evident through the fields 'Borrower's first name' and 'Borrower's surname'. These fields are redundant as they can both be tracked down by using the 'Item number' of each item. As a result of this, data integrity would lose strength and more memory than is actually required will be used.

(Information Systems and Databases) [1] p52-53

Question 22b
Normalising a rational database involves linking attributes from original data fields and eliminating situations where attributes are linked to other attributes.

(Information Systems and Databases) [1] p52-53

Question 22c
Most DBMS have the ability to create neatly presented reports from the database. The standard data display of rows and columns can be useful for many purposes, such as checking data values and editing the database.

(Information Systems and Databases) [1] p79-90

Question 23a
Technologies that would be needed for regionally-based employees to communicate with co-workers would include:


 * Teleconferencing


 * Telephone


 * Voice mail


 * Electronic mail

(Communication Systems) [1] p98-102

Question 23b
Advantages include:
 * Community growth in regional areas.


 * Cost of renting/leasing property may be lower.


 * If target market is located in remote areas, then it becomes an advantage to set up business there.

Disadvantages include:


 * Communication disadvantages in regards to limited technologies.


 * May not be near facilities such as transportation & education.


 * Harder to find employees in local areas or city areas who will be willing to move.

(Project Work) [1] p134

Question 23c

 * Active listening: concentration, attention & comprehension.
 * Conflict resolution: bargaining, appointing a mediator, using active listening, remind groups about the common goal & allocating more resources.
 * Negotiation skills: finding a common ground.
 * Interview techniques: explaining purpose, putting interviewee at east, preparing standard questions & using active listening.

(Project Work) [1] p3-5

Question 24a
A shared database is stored on one computer but is available to all other computers on network. There is a single online copy of the database, which makes data management and security much easier. A distributed database is split between several computers in the network.

(Information Systems & Databases) [1] p61-62

Question 24b
Using wireless communications in the hospital may result in technical difficulties such as interference, equipment disruption, a possible slow-down in communications compared to using a cabled network. Interference may be caused as a result of physical barriers, such as walls, or by digital interferences such as hackers who attempt to intrude on the system. Equipment may be disrupted as some technology malfunctions when in contact with EMR, such as pacemakers and defibrillators. A communication slow-down may occur as compared to cabled networks, wireless is much slower, delaying the transmittal of information across the entire system.

(Information Systems & Databases) [1[p119-121; [4] http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/wlanh_20