lecture 10 tips for exams
TRANSCRIPT
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Tips for exams
Crispin Coombs
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Topics covered
All topics may appear in the exam unless it is explicitlystated that the topic is not in the exam on these slides
Key Issues and Trends in IT
Database Management Systems
Data Warehousing
Customer Relationship Management
Business Process Re-engineering
Systems Integration & ERP
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Topics covered
Successful Systems Development
Strategic Information Systems Planning
Realising the Benefits of Information Systems Projects
I will not ask you in the exam to draw an applied Benefits
Dependency Network for a specific case study example (e.g.last exercise in benefits lecture).
However, if there was a question on benefits realization Iwould expect you to have a broad understanding of the mainelements of a BDN (e.g. drivers, investment objectives, andso on) and you could illustrate how these fit together in asimple diagram.
Integrated Manufacturing Information Systems
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Exam structure
Any 3 questions from a choice of 5
2 hours
All questions carry equal marks
Allow 40 mins per question Question style - all structured questions e.g.
a) do something [marks]
b) do something else [marks]
c) do a bit more [marks]
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Suggestions for Revision
Be selective in your reading
Find examples, note citations (e.g. Bocji, 2009) todemonstrate your reading in your exam answers
Refer to past papers Dont get overly focused on past questions
Select your best topics
But have some understanding of everything
Test yourself
Revise in class exercises Look for examples that you could mention in the exam to show your wider reading
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Suggestions for Revision
I dont give out model answers
If students want to draft a model answer to a past
exam question I am happy to discuss it with them
Requires you to make an appointment with me viaemail (and with sufficient notice e.g. 3 working
days!)
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Writing everything you know about a topic
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Failing to answer the question. For example:
Too many systems development projects end in failure.Write a report for senior managers that outlines:
a) The key steps needed to be taken to increase the likelihoodof a successful systems development project [40 marks]
b) The impacts that an information system can have onorganisations and [40 marks]
c) Explain the implications of these impacts for the successfuldevelopment and implementation of information systems[20 marks]
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Failing to answer the question
Make sure you focus on each requirement and break upyour answer into clear corresponding sections. Dont writea continuous stream of writing and then try and stick a) b)
and c) on afterwards it doesnt work. So you need toplan your answer so you know what points you want to getacross for each section.
Think also about the weighting of the marks. The balancecould be something like (depending on handwriting style)a) 1.5 sides, b) 1.5 sides c) 0.75 sides to reflect the markweightings.
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Failing to answer the question
Too many systems development projects end in failure.Write a report for senior managers that outlines:
a) The key steps needed to be taken to increase thelikelihood of a successful systems development project [40marks]
b) The impacts that an information system can have onorganisations and [40 marks]
c) Explain the implications of these impacts for the successfuldevelopment and implementation of information systems[20 marks]
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Failing to answer the question
Too many systems development projects end in failure.Write a report for senior managers that outlines:
a) The key steps needed to be taken to increase the likelihoodof a successful systems development project [40 marks]
b) The impacts that an information system can have onorganisations and [40 marks]
c) Explain the implications of these impacts for thesuccessful development and implementation of informationsystems [20 marks]
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Answering a completely different question (that wasntasked)
You may know everything about an apple, but if I askedyou to tell me about an orange, I want to know about an
orange. Writing about an apple will not get many marks.
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Failing to explain answers sufficiently For example, say this information was put on a lecture slide.
Recommended Strategies for Avoiding Information System
Failure
Strategy Reason
User Involvement yCan overcome resistance to change
yMore accurate user requirements
yIncreases quality of system
yIncrease user commitment to system
success
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Failing to explain answers sufficiently
The manager could increase the chance of thesystem being a success by involving the users
by creating user groups or asking for userrepresentatives.
* A basic answer, some marks as correct, but only
demonstrates correct recall. Why would involving users
make it a success?
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Failing to explain answers sufficiently
The manager could increase the chance of thesystem being a success by involving the users
by creating user groups or asking for userrepresentatives. User involvement would helpovercome resistance to change and improvethe quality of the system.
* Going bit further, with more explanation. Im nowwondering why would user involvement overcome
resistance to change etc?
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
The full explanation. This is an example of the best answer, assuming the reader doesnt knowanything about the topic and clearly showing the implications and the impact of user involvement itdemonstrates more understanding, more critical thinking and therefore gets more marks.
The manager could increase the chance of thesystem being a success by involving the users
by creating user groups or asking for userrepresentatives. User involvement would helpovercome resistance to change and improvethe quality of the system. Resistance tochange would be reduced because the userswould feel more engaged with the system and
positive towards it. System quality is likely tobe high because the users can ensure it meetstheir needs.
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Ignoring the context
Q2. A senior manager in a large supermarketis considering implementing a new
information system, however she is awarethat many systems development projectshave ended in failure. She has asked youto write a report to address the followingissues:
With reference to specific examples, whatactivities should be employed to reduce thelikelihood of systems failure? [50%]
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Ignoring the context
Q2. A senior manager in a large supermarketis considering implementing a new
information system, however she is awarethat many systems development projectshave ended in failure. She has asked youto write a report to address the followingissues:
With reference to specific examples, whatactivities should be employed to reduce thelikelihood of systems failure? [50%]
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Common Pitfalls in Exams
Ignoring the context
So your answer must have some links to asupermarket environment. Just providing a generic
list of best practice factors would get some marks,but the student should really think about how thefactors would apply in a supermarket e.g. Usersmay be checkout staff, stock control would be a
particularly important element compare that to ifthe context had been an accounting firm? The question is demanding examples so you should be ready to
provide some e.g. From your reading, work experience etc.
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Exam tactics
Plan your answer Always include an introduction and conclusion
Make it easy to mark use headings, sub headings etc.
Keep to time
Keep your answer focused on the question asked Refer to the context of question
Explain your answers fully assume I dont know anythingabout the topic
Use examples to demonstrate (ideally real world) If drawing on own experience make it clear
Include citations to refer to specific articles you have read
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Exam tactics
Make sure you have some knowledge of all topics
Focus on the exercises in handouts and use these to guideyour wider reading
Make sure you have read all the relevant articles as
indicated on learn as well as doing some wider reading andbeing able to draw on your own (e.g. placement)experiences
Very best of luck