Digital Society Complete Study Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards reviewing Data and Data Analysis, Algorithms, Computers, Networks, Media (VR/AR/MR case studies), Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Supporting Topics.

What are the four levels of the DIKW pyramid and how are they defined?

1. Data: raw facts or observations that have not yet been interpreted. 2. Information: data that has been processed or organized so that it has meaning. 3. Knowledge: information understood and applied using experience or context. 4. Wisdom: the ability to use knowledge and understanding to make informed judgments or decisions.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

Quantitative data is numerical data that can be measured or counted, whereas qualitative data is non-numerical data describing qualities, characteristics, opinions, or experiences.

What is metadata?

Data that provides information about other data, such as when a file was created, who created it, or where it was recorded.

How does data support decision-making in organizations?

Data can be collected and analysed to identify patterns and trends. These patterns provide evidence that organizations or individuals can use to make more informed decisions, such as predicting demand or allocating resources.

What are the stages of the data life cycle?

Create, Collect, Extract, Store, Process, Analyse, Access, Preserve, and Reuse.

What is the difference between primary data collection and secondary data collection?

Primary data is collected directly by the person or organization conducting the investigation (e.g., a survey conducted by a researcher). Secondary data has already been collected by another source and is obtained and reused (e.g., government statistics).

What is a relational database?

A database that organizes data into related tables, allowing relationships between different sets of data to be established.

In a relational database, what are records and fields?

A record is a complete set of related data about one entity (normally represented by a row). A field is an individual category of data within a record (normally represented by a column).

What are four methods used to maintain data integrity in a database?

1. Database normalisation: structuring data into related tables to reduce duplication and inconsistencies. 2. Audit trails: recording who accessed or changed data, what they changed, and when. 3. Redundant data removal: removing unnecessary duplicate data to save space and prevent inconsistencies. 4. Back up data: making copies of database data so it can be restored if accidentally deleted, corrupted, or lost.

What is the difference between a primary key and a foreign key?

A primary key is a field containing a unique value that identifies each record in a database table. A foreign key is a field that refers to a primary key in another table, establishing a relationship between the tables.

How does a database differ from a spreadsheet?

A database is designed to organize and manage structured collections of data and establish relationships between different datasets. A spreadsheet stores information in cells arranged in rows and columns and is primarily useful for calculations and simpler data organization.

What is blockchain?

A distributed ledger in which data is stored in linked blocks across a network, making records difficult to alter without detection.

What are the four characteristics (the 4 Vs) of big data?

1. Volume: the extremely large quantity of data generated and stored. 2. Variety: the many different types and formats of data produced. 3. Velocity: the speed at which data is generated, collected, and processed. 4. Veracity: the reliability, accuracy, and trustworthiness of data.

What is personally identifiable information (PII)?

Information that can be used to identify a particular individual, either directly or when combined with other information.

What are two fundamental characteristics of an algorithm?

1. Unambiguous: each instruction has one clear interpretation and cannot be misunderstood. 2. Finite: the algorithm must eventually reach an endpoint rather than continuing indefinitely.

What is a black-box algorithm and why is algorithmic transparency important?

A black-box algorithm is one whose internal decision-making process is difficult or impossible for users to inspect or understand. Transparency is important because it allows people to understand how decisions are reached, making it easier to identify bias, challenge decisions, and determine responsibility when harm occurs.

What is Moore's law?

An observation about the historical growth in the number of transistors on integrated circuits and the resulting increase in computing capability over time.

How do client-server and peer-to-peer (P2P) network models differ?

In a client-server network, client devices request services or resources from centralized servers. In a peer-to-peer network, connected devices can communicate and share resources directly without relying entirely on a central server.

What is interoperability in computer networking?

The ability of different systems or technologies to communicate and work together effectively.

What is net neutrality?

The principle that internet traffic should generally be treated without unjustified discrimination between different content, services, or users.

What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?

The internet is the global interconnected network infrastructure that allows devices and networks to communicate. The World Wide Web is a system of interconnected webpages and resources that operates on top of the internet.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

A network of physical devices connected through digital networks that can collect, transmit, and exchange data.

What is media convergence?

The integration of different forms of media, communication, and computing technologies into connected digital systems or platforms.

What are three key differences between virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)?

1. VR creates a fully artificial/simulated digital environment replacing the physical world, whereas AR overlays digital media/objects onto the real world. 2. VR isolates or disconnects users from the physical world, whereas AR enhances the user's perception of reality while keeping them in contact with the real world. 3. VR typically requires a headset device, whereas AR can often be accessed through a smartphone.

Explain how augmented reality (AR) glasses qualify as an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

They are devices other than traditional computers that contain sensors (such as microphones) to collect data, an embedded processor to process that data, and network capabilities (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to connect to the internet or a smartphone to communicate and share data.

Suggest two reasons why AR glasses need to be connected to a smartphone.

1. The smartphone has more processing power and storage space than the small, low-powered processor on the glasses (needed to run applications or perform speech transcription). 2. The smartphone provides internet connectivity (to access cloud services/AI translation) and longer battery life.

What quantified efficiency gains were reported by an automotive company using Gravity Sketch VR compared to its traditional workflow?

$40\%$ less elapsed time and $60\%$ fewer man-hours.

How was mixed reality (MR) via Microsoft HoloLens 2 applied in the assembly of NASA's Orion spacecraft by Lockheed Martin?

Technicians wore HoloLens 2 to overlay holographic assembly instructions directly onto the spacecraft for routing cables and positioning fasteners. This resulted in repetitive measuring tasks being completed $90\%$ faster with zero reported errors or rework requests.

What is media obsolescence?

The process through which digital formats, devices, or technologies become outdated and may become difficult to access or use.

What is the difference between Supervised Learning and Unsupervised Learning?

Supervised learning uses labelled training data where the expected output is already known, allowing the model to learn relationships between inputs and outputs. Unsupervised learning uses unlabelled data to identify patterns, groupings, or structures without predetermined target labels.

What is an AI winter?

A period of reduced interest, investment, and development in artificial intelligence following disappointment when AI progress or results failed to meet expectations.

What is the uncanny valley?

A phenomenon where an artificial character or robot that appears almost human causes discomfort or revulsion because its appearance or behaviour is not quite convincingly human.

What is additive manufacturing and what are two of its primary advantages?

Additive manufacturing is producing a physical object by adding material progressively according to a digital design (such as 3D printing). Two advantages are customization (producing objects to specific individual requirements) and rapid prototyping (quickly converting digital designs into physical models for testing).

What is the difference between an active and a passive digital footprint?

An active digital footprint consists of information a person deliberately creates and shares online (such as social media posts). A passive digital footprint consists of data collected about a person without direct deliberate sharing (such as browsing activity and server logs).