Chapter12 Gines
6. List three main ways in which presentations of output are unintentionally biased?
INTRODUCING BIAS WHEN INFORMATION IS SORTED
Bias is introduced to output when the analyst and users make choices about how information is sorted for a report. Common sorts include alphabetical, chronological, and cost.
INTRODUCING BIAS BY SETTING LIMITS
A second major source of bias in output is the predefinition of limits for particular values being reported. Many reports are generated on an exception basis only, which means that when limits on values are set beforehand, only exceptions to those values will be output.
INTRODUCING BIAS THROUGH GRAPHICS
Output is subject to a third type of presentation bias, which is brought about by the analyst’s choice of graphics for output display. Bias can occur in the selection of the graph size, its color, the scale used, and even the type of graphic.
7. What are five ways the analyst can avoid biasing output?
Systems analysts can use specific strategies to avoid biasing the output they and other design:
1. Be aware of the sources of bias.
2. Create an interactive design of output during prototyping that includes users and a variety of differently configured systems when testing the appearance of Web documents.
3. Work with users so that they are informed of the output’s biases and can recognize the implications of customizing their displays.
4. Create output that is flexible and that allows users to modify limits and ranges.
5. Train users to rely on multiple outputs for conducting “reality tests” on system output.
8. What is the difference between constant and variable information presented on a report?
Constant information is information that remains the same whenever the report is printed. The title of the report and all the column headings are written as constant information. On the other hand, variable information is information that can vary each time the report is printed out.
9. List six functional elements of printed reports.
INTRODUCING BIAS WHEN INFORMATION IS SORTED
Bias is introduced to output when the analyst and users make choices about how information is sorted for a report. Common sorts include alphabetical, chronological, and cost.
INTRODUCING BIAS BY SETTING LIMITS
A second major source of bias in output is the predefinition of limits for particular values being reported. Many reports are generated on an exception basis only, which means that when limits on values are set beforehand, only exceptions to those values will be output.
INTRODUCING BIAS THROUGH GRAPHICS
Output is subject to a third type of presentation bias, which is brought about by the analyst’s choice of graphics for output display. Bias can occur in the selection of the graph size, its color, the scale used, and even the type of graphic.
7. What are five ways the analyst can avoid biasing output?
Systems analysts can use specific strategies to avoid biasing the output they and other design:
1. Be aware of the sources of bias.
2. Create an interactive design of output during prototyping that includes users and a variety of differently configured systems when testing the appearance of Web documents.
3. Work with users so that they are informed of the output’s biases and can recognize the implications of customizing their displays.
4. Create output that is flexible and that allows users to modify limits and ranges.
5. Train users to rely on multiple outputs for conducting “reality tests” on system output.
8. What is the difference between constant and variable information presented on a report?
Constant information is information that remains the same whenever the report is printed. The title of the report and all the column headings are written as constant information. On the other hand, variable information is information that can vary each time the report is printed out.
9. List six functional elements of printed reports.