Methods of capturing, selecting, managing and exchanging data

Candidates need to have an awareness of a range of methods for capturing data (such as forms, OCR, OMR and sensors) selecting data (such as Query By Example and SQL), managing data (such as changing data by manipulating it – e.g. arithmetic functions, adding, editing, deleting the data) and exchanging data (with commons formats such as CSV and JSON). Candidates won’t be specifically asked about any one of these methods but may be asked to discuss/justify suitable methods as part of a more open question. Candidates need to have an understanding of the need to interrogate data within a database. Candidates should understand the purpose of indexing in a database and the benefits of using indexing to optimise the searching for data. Candidates need to have experience of a range of methods for capturing data (such as forms – what do they collect, what do they look like - data mining, where does the data come from, how is it collected and analysed), selecting data (such as how to produce QBEs – adding fields, tables, criteria, sorting - selecting through Boolean expressions – AND, OR, NOT), managing data (such as changing data by manipulating it – e.g. arithmetic functions - , adding, editing, deleting the data) and exchanging data (such as methods of transferring data – electronic i.e. memory stick, e-mail, and non-electronic e.g. paper based - appropriate formats for the transfer of data and communication mediums to transfer data – such as the structure, is it in a table or a list).