Date issued–Monday 19th October 2015 Final deadline – Monday 9th November 2015 Duration – Four weeks. Purpose / Scenario Overview and aims: This assignment will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of Databases and Database Management Systems (DBMS) through the production of a logically structured report and to practice and perfect your research and report writing skills. Vocational scenario You are junior database administrator who has just been employed by ChipSet©, a small IT component supplier in Nottingham. Your line manager has decided it is time for you to take the role of analysing, designing, implementing, testing and documenting a relational database for the company. Once, you have developed the new system the customer's IT department will take over the maintenance of the database. However, they do not have anyone with the expertise in relational databases so they have asked you to produce a report that explains how their business data will be stored and manipulated, the main features of a relational database, and the advantages (and possible disadvantages) that a database management system (DBMS) will bring to their organisation. Assessment and grading criteria The assignment covers the following grading criteria from learning outcome 1: LO1 - Understand databases & database management systems 1.1– Analyse the key issues and application of databases within organisational environments. 1.2 - Critically evaluate the features and advantages of database management systems. Task 1 :( LO 1: 1.1 and M1, M2, M3) Your first step is to create a report that analyses the key issues/features/benefits and application of relational databases in an organisational context that must include the following: • entities (tables) and attributes • the relationships that can exist between tables • how the integrity (correctness/accuracy) of business data is maintained • how proper design can prevent redundant and repeated data • how efficient storage can be achieved • how meaningful information can be extracted from the underlying data through the use of Structured Query Language (SQL) • how the use of report generators that can utilise the underlying data to produce business documentation i.e. invoices, monthly/weekly/annual sales reports etc., • Industry standard relational DBMS Task 2(LO 1:1.2 and M1, M2, M3, D1) Produce a section in the report that explains and critically evaluates: • The key features and advantages of a DBMS the role of the Database Administrator in maintaining the security, integrity and concurrency of the data by the use of DBMS features such as granting and revoking of permissions and the level of data access that each user has i.e. some will have total access to add, update and delete data and others will only be allowed to view predefined data sets   Meritand Distinction Criteria – M1, M2, M3 and D1 are available in this assignment In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades Grade Descriptor Indicative characteristic/s Contextualisation M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions An effective approach to study and research has been applied To achieve M1 you must use the taught research techniques to gather sufficient material described in LO 1.1 and 1.2 to answer all aspects of this assignment. The information gathered during your research activities must be combined to create a logically structured report. M2 Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques A range of sources of information has been used and a complex information has been synthesised and processed To achieve M2 you must show evidence of independent research from multiple sources through citations from various authorities on the subject i.e. authors, books, internet, journals, course materials etc. M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings The appropriate report structure has been adopted and a coherent logical development of the principles/concepts for the intended audience has been applied To achieve M3 your report must contain a front sheet an introduction, a contents page, page numbers, suitable sections for the body of the report, a summary of the report and a bibliography and citations section. The information within the report must be written so as to be understandable to non-experts D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified To achieve D1 your report must critically evaluate the various aspects of relational databases and identify the advantages and possible disadvantages of using such a system. D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities Not this assignment D3 Demonstrate convergent/lateral/ creative thinking Not this assignment Please Note - Merit and Distinction criteria all contain elements of time management and organisation and must therefore be submitted on time in order to be considered. If your submission is not in by due date then Merit or Distinction criteria will not be considered. Forms of evidence – Deliverable Produce a detailed report which contains an evaluation of Database Management Systems and the usage of database systems suitable to meet the business contexts. Other information: Jennings. R., (2007) Special Edition – Using Microsoft Office Access 2007, Indianapolis, Que Date, C. J., (2004) An Introduction to Database Systems, 6th ed., Wokingham England, Addison-Wesley Mott, J., Rendell, I., (2001)Database Projects in Access for Advanced Level, Bristol, Hodder & Stoughton Rolland, F. D., (1998)The Essence of Databases, Harlow, Pearson Education Satzinger, J. W., Jackson, R. B., Burd, S. D., (2004) Systems Analysis & Design – in a changing world, 3rd ed., Boston Mass., Thomson Learning Shelly, G. B., Cashman, T. J., Rosenblatt, H. J., (2008) Systems Analysis & Design, 7th ed., Boston, Mass., Course Technology Grading Criteria These criteria will be used to assess your FINAL submission and can therefore be reliably used for you to assess your own work and the work of your peers. Learning Outcome 1.1 –Analyse the key issues and application of databases within organisational environments. F 1 2 3 4 Usage and application of database systems in business context. Production of business documents via database activity No submission Or The use of databases in real-world business or information system context has not been discussed or analysed. An attempt has been made to describe the use of databases in real-world contexts but the submission lacks clarity and detail. No clear examples of database driven information systems or business applications have been discussed. Database produced business documents have not been discussed A good attempt has been made to describe the use of databases in real-world contexts but the submission only provides small amounts of detail which do not clearly identify how they are used. No clear examples of database driven information systems or business applications have been discussed. Database produced business documents have been partially discussed A good attempt has been made to describe the use of databases in real-world contexts. The submission provides good amounts of detail and clearly identifies how databases are used. No clear examples of database driven information systems or business applications have been discussed. Database produced business documents have been discussed An excellent attempt has been made to describe the use of databases in real-world contexts. The submission provides good amounts of detail and clearly identifies how databases are used. Several clear examples of database driven information systems or business applications have been discussed. Database produced business documents have been discussed Database structure using entities, tables, datasets and relationships. No submission Or Database structure has not been clearly explained with specific reference to entities, tables, datasets and relationships. An attempt has been made to explain database structure but the explanations lack clarity and/or detail. Nospecific reference to entities, tables, datasets and relationships is evident. A reasonable attempt has been made to explain database structure with some detail but the explanations lack overall clarity. Somespecific reference to entities, tables, datasets and relationships has been made. A good attempt has been made to explain database structure with some detail and the submission provides reasonable overall clarity. Somespecific reference to entities, tables, datasets and relationships has been made and their usage explained. An excellent attempt has been made to explain database structure with detail and the submission provides good overall clarity. Goodspecific reference to entities, tables, datasets and relationships has been made and their usage has been explained. The integrity, accuracy and efficient management of data. No submission Or Mechanisms for maintaining accurate and relevant data have not been identified An attempt has been made to explain how the integrity and accuracy of data can be managed but the submission lacks clarity and detail. The submission does not explain the consequences of redundant or repeated data. A good attempt has been made to explain how the integrity and accuracy of data can be managed with some detail. The submission does not explain the consequences of redundant or repeated data. A good attempt has been made to explain how the integrity and accuracy of data can be managed. The submission provides good amounts of detail. The submission partially explains the consequences of redundant or repeated data and the effect on efficiency. An excellent attempt has been made to explain how the integrity and accuracy of data can be managed. The submission provides good amounts of detail. The submission explains the consequences of redundant or repeated data and the effect on efficiency very well. The usage of stored data and the use of SQL to extract results. No submission Or Mechanisms for extracting data from a database via SQL queries have not been discussed. An attempt has been made to identify mechanisms for extracting data from a database via SQL queries but these have not been discussed in detail. An good attempt has been made to identify mechanisms for extracting data from a database via SQL queries. These have not been discussed in detail and no meaningful examples have been provided. An good attempt has been made to identify mechanisms for extracting data from a database via SQL queries. These have been discussed in some detail and some examples have been provided. An excellent attempt has been made to identify mechanisms for extracting data from a database via SQL queries. These have been discussed in detail and excellent examples have been provided. Learning Outcome 1.2 – Critically evaluate the features and advantages of database management systems. Description of a DBMS No Submission Or An accurate description of a DBMS and its key features is not evident An attempt has been made to describe a DBMS but the submission lacks detail and/or clarity. A good attempt has been made to describe a DBMS and the submission has some detail but lacks overall clarity. A good attempt has been made to describe a DBMS and the submission is well detailed but lacks overall clarity in defining the role of a DBMS. An excellent attempt has been made to describe a DBMS and the submission is well detailed. The submission provides overall clarity in defining the role of a DBMS. The role of the database administrator in controlling access, user permissions and data management. No Submission Or The role of the database administrator has not been discussed in any detail. An attempt has been made to describe the role of the database administrator. No meaningful analysis of the role has been undertaken. A good attempt has been made to describe the role of the database administrator. Some analysis of the role has been undertaken but no clear responsibilities have been identified or described in detail. A good attempt has been made to describe the role of the database administrator. Some analysis of the role has been undertaken and some responsibilities have been identified or described in detail. An excellent attempt has been made to describe the role of the database administrator. A good analysis of the role has been undertaken and many responsibilities have been identified and described in detail. Please Note – Merit and Distinction criteria all contain elements of time-management and ability to work to deadlines. Late submission of any assignment therefore means Merit and Distinction criteria cannot be considered. How to use the criteria Using the grid above, carefully examine the piece of work you are evaluating and try to identify where on the scale of F-4 the work falls based on the material that has been covered in the class sessions and other reference material or follow guidance from your tutor. Read the descriptions in the grid to determine whether something has been CLEARLY explained or only BRIEFLY explained and whether BRIEF examples are evident or WELL-DOCUMENTED examples are there. The words in the criteria should guide you to your decision. F = Fail 1= Reasonable attempts have been made but the submission lacks detail 2= Good clear attempts have been made but the submission lacks overall context 3= Good clear attempts have been made and the submission provides some context 4= Excellent clear attempts have been made and the submission provides good overall context To achieve a PASS grade, submissions need to be in the 3 or 4 area. Merit and Distinction grades will be considered separately after the PASS has been achieved.