Data Types, Metadata, and Basic Data Analysis – Review Flashcards

Fifty question-and-answer flashcards summarizing key points on structured vs. unstructured data, multimedia databases, data vs. information, unit conversions, basic statistics in course data, the quadratic formula, and comprehensive metadata concepts.

What type of data are a customer’s name, address, and phone number stored in rows and columns?

Structured data

Why is a customer‐contact spreadsheet considered structured data?

Because it is stored in a tabular form with predefined fields (e.g., name, address, phone) that use specific data types.

Which phrase best defines structured data?

Data stored in a tabular form, including numeric, character, and date types.

Which phrase best defines unstructured data?

Data not organized in a predefined manner, such as images, audio, video, or social-media text.

Photo images, sound clips, and scanned documents are examples of what data category?

Unstructured (multimedia) data

Do multimedia files fit into traditional relational tables?

No, multimedia elements generally do not fit into traditional tabular structures.

Combining customer tables with images and scanned forms creates what kind of environment?

A true multimedia database environment

Traditional definition of data in information systems?

Facts concerning objects and events that can be recorded and stored on computer media.

What is 1 petabyte (PB) in bytes?

10^15 bytes

How many bytes are in 3 PB?

3 × 10^15 bytes

Convert 3 PB to terabytes (TB).

3,000 TB (using 1 PB = 1,000 TB)

Why can several terabytes of data add complexity to a decision-support database?

Large size plus varied data types require sophisticated management and processing.

How does data variety add complexity to decision-support systems?

They must integrate and analyze both structured and unstructured data.

Are the raw strings “Smith, John A. – 123456789” considered data or information?

Data (they lack context).

What first step begins turning raw facts into information?

Identify the raw data items present.

Give an example of context that converts student name/ID pairs into information.

Stating they form a class roster for a specific course.

Provide a structured presentation that increases knowledge for: Brown, Alice M.; 112233445.

Brown, Alice M. – Student ID: 112233445

Total enrollment for Course A (30), Course B (25), Course C (40)?

95 students

Which course (A 30, B 25, C 40) has the highest enrollment?

Course C

Best chart type for comparing enrollments of three separate courses?

Bar chart

If Course C has 40 students, what might the instructor need?

Additional resources or faculty

How many total courses are taught when Dr. Smith teaches 3, Dr. Johnson 2, Dr. Lee 4?

9 courses

Which instructor has the greatest workload in the previous question?

Dr. Lee (4 courses)

What percentage of 9 total courses is Dr. Johnson’s 2 courses?

≈ 22.22 %

Quadratic formula for ax² + bx + c = 0?

x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac))⁄(2a)

Discriminant value for 2x² − 4x − 6 = 0?

64

Roots of 2x² − 4x − 6 = 0 using the quadratic formula?

x = 3 and x = −1

Sum of the roots of 2x² − 4x − 6 = 0?

2

Product of the roots of 2x² − 4x − 6 = 0?

−3

In metadata, what does the term length 50 for ‘Student Name’ indicate?

Up to 50 characters can be stored in that field.

What is the correct metadata source for ‘Course Code’ if listed as Academic Unit?

Academic Unit

Describe the metadata field ‘Student Name’.

Full name of the student

Data type for ‘Course Code’ having letters and digits?

Alphanumeric

Which metadata property is missing if ‘Student ID’ lists Type: Integer, Length: 9 but no minimum value?

Min

Is any property missing for GPA metadata with Type Decimal, Length 4, Min 0.0, Max 4.0?

None – metadata is complete.

Which GPA value violates metadata (0.0–4.0)?

4.5

Which Student ID value violates a 9-digit length rule?

12345678 (only 8 digits)

Correct metadata definition for ‘Course Title’ length 100?

Name: Course Title; Type: Alphanumeric; Length: 100; Description: The title of the course; Source: Academic Unit

Correct metadata for ‘Enrollment Count’ (Type Integer, Length 3, Min 0, Max 999)?

Name: Enrollment Count; Type: Integer; Length: 3; Min: 0; Max: 999; Description: Number of students enrolled; Source: Registrar

Data type of ‘Major’ field with letters/numbers?

Alphanumeric

Length allowed for ‘Major’ field (metadata length 4)?

4 characters

Source system for ‘Major’ field according to metadata?

Student Information System

Why is managing metadata essential?

It provides context (source, meaning, usage) so designers and users understand and properly use data.

How does metadata prevent misinterpretation?

By distinguishing between similar items and clarifying definitions and formats.

Simple definition of metadata?

Data about data

File title, author, and keywords are what kind of metadata?

Descriptive metadata

Which metadata category controls data rights and access?

Administrative metadata

Purpose of structural metadata?

Describe the format and organization of data files and their relationships.

Is increasing data redundancy a common use of metadata?

No; metadata is used for retrieval, security, and management, not redundancy.