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Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Assessment 1: Numerical Information System - Project Journal
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
Scenario requirements for a new system...
Ethical issues:
Hardware:
There is some bias that is evident among the use of different collection tools as it does not allow the responder to freely provide their opinion due to a selection of limited option that are provided to them.
Regardless of the range of options that are available, there may be others that the designer had not implemented into the question that the user may acquire to.
For example, the use of checkboxes may display a variety of option and allows the responder to choose more than one option. If the question in the survey stated to choose the programs they user uses, a program that they may use often may not be presented. Multiple choice, also is an inevitable example as the user is restricted to chosing one option when more than one may apply. Because of the limited option it creates bias in the responses due to its limitation of options.
The use of free-form answers for example is effective in the means of allowing the responder to express their opinions and suggestions on the issue in the survey more clearly. However, in regards to the analysis of the data in the end it would be significantly difficult to asses the free-form answer as they are too open. The range of opinions and suggestion that are made may not be relevant to the implementation of a numerical system. Although, it can be usefull to make any improvements.
Using a variety of direct collection tools such as checkboxes, multiple choice and scales; allows the participant to easily analyse the end results and provides a more focused range of data to
make links and determine how to implement the system.
Spreadsheet Templates:
Once there is a significant amount of responses, the data can be converted into an Excel spreadsheet. This allows the data to be easily dealt with arranging the data into different sheets that allows easier access for analysis. As the Raw Data is placed on a single sheet, multiple other sheets can be created to transfer specific results into other sheets to find trends, patterns, create graphs and to anylysis more efficiently. This option makes it easier to deal with the data and each sheet can be dedicated to a spiecifc function or issue.
For example, placing the data of the use of computers by student, with the similar data from the staff survey to find link and trends to implement a numerical system.
The necessity to structure the data accordingly into a methodical manner makes it easier to understand what is being presented. The use of graphs to accompany the data can assist in finding patterns and to further clarify the results given. When comparing results, instead of individually looking at cells from one survey to another for example, the graphs can be used to assess the contrasts and similarities.
Organising the Survey:
There are a number of ways in organising the survey such as creating and distributing it online or creating, printing and handing the survey out personally to people. However, collecting data through a hardcopy of the survey would be dificult in terms of analysis as the results of the survey would have to be entered into a spreadsheet for the process of analysising. This would be time consuming and data may be entered incorrectly.
Desiging a survey online through the use of google docs spreadsheet form and distributing it online - through facebook, emails etc... is beneficial in the means of being able to convert the data into Excel by simply downloading the data. By doing this no data is lost or incorrectly presented. Doing it online is also more efficient, especially when distributing it since the internet is widely use by a variety of people, hence enforcing the large number of people that have access to the internet. Due to the extensive internet use by responders the survey would reach them more quicker, therefore they would respond to the survey faster. Also sending it online to a large number of people will provide a sufficient amount of responses due to its extensice use - whereby people are bound to respond.
Evaluating different ways information can be presented:
Information or results from the survey can be presented in numerous ways.
For example:
A pie chart for example may illustrate the percentage of responses to a question, a bar or column graphs can demonstrate the number of responses for a question on a particular question which can be easily use for the comparison of other graphs on similar issues. Bar and Column graphs will be more usefull in presenting data in which responders may have chosen more than one option - check boxes. Both Line and Scatter graphs often convey trends and patterns among different perspectives, ideas or issues.
Link to survey:
Published live form:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGNHa0pveGZxcDVQOV9KMXZaSDJGSXc6MQ
Spreadsheet - Responses on google docs:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AoSv0PNwg-VNdGNHa0pveGZxcDVQOV9KMXZaSDJGSXc&hl=en#gid=0
Scenario requirements for a new system...
- training is required to make the use of laptops at school effective - some may find it difficult or challenging to skillfully work with function on the computer.
- The extensive use of IT that an individual attains reflects their interest and purpose in using a numerical system in relation to its use in school.
- An individual should be aware of the multiple application, software and programs that are used and can be used in context with school, thus, reflecting their knowledge and uses of IT.
- The necessity and usage of laptops at school implements certain advantages and disadvantages such as scrolling up and down instead of simply flipping throuhg pages or the ability to view multiple sheets at once without the need to switch between screens.
- Use of laptops in school creates emphasis on environmental safety but creates concerns on the ergonomical, social and ethical factors - however, it is less costly.
- The extensive use of the laptop at a given period of time, for example within a day has to be determined. e.g. how often the computer is to be used during each lesson of the day.
Ethical issues:
- open questions - not prone to analysis, misleading and inadequate
- indirect questions
- questions that are directed at the wrong target audience
- recommnedations that are wrong and questions that are irrelevant
- bias in the information and the survey - effects the results in relation to its analysis and interepretation
- questions asked determine the results
- poorly designed survey - results in unethical analysis of the results and therefore the solution is both socially and eithcally inadequate
- equity - those that dont have access to a computer
- privacy - anonymous - depends on how direct the questions are
- reliability of data - infromation presented in the data
- security - an individual has access to redo the survey numerous times to satisfy their views and opinions.
- design - display of information may effect the responder, the survey fonts may be too small, disadvantages to those who reuquire style sheets for screen display. - relates back to the ethical issues of biasness. It's subject to those who have access to the survey and those who have difficulties not only accessing but also reading the survey.
Hardware:
- Computer/laptop
- Display screen
- USB
Software:
- Internet access
- Google Docs
- Microsoft Excel
- Blogger
- Microsoft Word
- Checkboxes - provides a variety of options where more than one can be chosen at one time
- Multiple choice - gives a set of options whereby only one can be chosen
- Scales - giving an opinion based on how strongly they feel about the issue (e.g. agree or disagree)
- Free form answers - text or paragraph - allows the responder to give their opinion freely
There is some bias that is evident among the use of different collection tools as it does not allow the responder to freely provide their opinion due to a selection of limited option that are provided to them.
Regardless of the range of options that are available, there may be others that the designer had not implemented into the question that the user may acquire to.
For example, the use of checkboxes may display a variety of option and allows the responder to choose more than one option. If the question in the survey stated to choose the programs they user uses, a program that they may use often may not be presented. Multiple choice, also is an inevitable example as the user is restricted to chosing one option when more than one may apply. Because of the limited option it creates bias in the responses due to its limitation of options.
The use of free-form answers for example is effective in the means of allowing the responder to express their opinions and suggestions on the issue in the survey more clearly. However, in regards to the analysis of the data in the end it would be significantly difficult to asses the free-form answer as they are too open. The range of opinions and suggestion that are made may not be relevant to the implementation of a numerical system. Although, it can be usefull to make any improvements.
Using a variety of direct collection tools such as checkboxes, multiple choice and scales; allows the participant to easily analyse the end results and provides a more focused range of data to
make links and determine how to implement the system.
Spreadsheet Templates:
Once there is a significant amount of responses, the data can be converted into an Excel spreadsheet. This allows the data to be easily dealt with arranging the data into different sheets that allows easier access for analysis. As the Raw Data is placed on a single sheet, multiple other sheets can be created to transfer specific results into other sheets to find trends, patterns, create graphs and to anylysis more efficiently. This option makes it easier to deal with the data and each sheet can be dedicated to a spiecifc function or issue.
For example, placing the data of the use of computers by student, with the similar data from the staff survey to find link and trends to implement a numerical system.
The necessity to structure the data accordingly into a methodical manner makes it easier to understand what is being presented. The use of graphs to accompany the data can assist in finding patterns and to further clarify the results given. When comparing results, instead of individually looking at cells from one survey to another for example, the graphs can be used to assess the contrasts and similarities.
Organising the Survey:
There are a number of ways in organising the survey such as creating and distributing it online or creating, printing and handing the survey out personally to people. However, collecting data through a hardcopy of the survey would be dificult in terms of analysis as the results of the survey would have to be entered into a spreadsheet for the process of analysising. This would be time consuming and data may be entered incorrectly.
Desiging a survey online through the use of google docs spreadsheet form and distributing it online - through facebook, emails etc... is beneficial in the means of being able to convert the data into Excel by simply downloading the data. By doing this no data is lost or incorrectly presented. Doing it online is also more efficient, especially when distributing it since the internet is widely use by a variety of people, hence enforcing the large number of people that have access to the internet. Due to the extensive internet use by responders the survey would reach them more quicker, therefore they would respond to the survey faster. Also sending it online to a large number of people will provide a sufficient amount of responses due to its extensice use - whereby people are bound to respond.
Evaluating different ways information can be presented:
Information or results from the survey can be presented in numerous ways.
For example:
- Bar Graphs
- Column Graphs
- Pie Charts
- Line Graphs
- Scatter Graphs
A pie chart for example may illustrate the percentage of responses to a question, a bar or column graphs can demonstrate the number of responses for a question on a particular question which can be easily use for the comparison of other graphs on similar issues. Bar and Column graphs will be more usefull in presenting data in which responders may have chosen more than one option - check boxes. Both Line and Scatter graphs often convey trends and patterns among different perspectives, ideas or issues.
Link to survey:
Published live form:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGNHa0pveGZxcDVQOV9KMXZaSDJGSXc6MQ
Spreadsheet - Responses on google docs:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AoSv0PNwg-VNdGNHa0pveGZxcDVQOV9KMXZaSDJGSXc&hl=en#gid=0
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