3.2 Data and Information
Overview
Understand the difference between information
and data.
Discuss features important in form design such
as: use of tick boxes, colour, font, position,
instructions.
Identify advantages, disadvantages and
applications for OMR and OCR.
Data
Data is raw facts and figures.
Data does not have meaning.
Examples:
5
John
A
Information
Information is processed data that gives it
meaning.
Examples:
There are 5 cows in the field.
My brother’s name is John.
Gathering information
Method
• Questionnaire
• Observation
• Reading documentation
• Interview
Gathering information
Source
• Paper based
• Computer based
• Automated data capture
Sources compared
Paper based
Computer based
Automated data capture
Humans enter the data
Direct data capture
method
Collected data is keyed into Data typed in directly onto
a computer
an on-line form
Two methods available
OCR and OMR
Prone to human error
Less human error
No processing errors
Instructions need to be
clear
Marks need to be entered
carefully
Can cope with large
volumes of data
Can cope with large
volumes of data
Time consuming if large
volumes of data
For each of the following features state the importance of
considering them in form design.
Font
Instructions
Colour
Images
Positioning
Method of
answering
Size
Title
Suitability
Suitability
Does not
obscure
Space
required
Intended
audience
Prompts
purpose
Clarity
Logical order
Use of tick
boxes
Clarity
Help
Purpose
Samples of forms
OMR
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Direct data capture method
• High speed reading of large
volumes of data
• Accurate: No processing
errors
• Results can be processed
quickly
• Very little staff training
required
• Forms require pre-printed
boxes
• Forms need to be carefully
filled in
• Requires specialised
machinery to read the
forms
• A paper based system so
forms need to be carefully
handled
Sample OMR form
OCR
Advantages
• Large quantities of text can
be input quickly
• A paper based form can be
turned into an electronic
one
• It can read handwriting
Disadvantages
• Handwriting needs to be
learnt by the computer
• Systems are expensive
Applications
OMR
• National lottery
• School attendance mark
sheets
OCR
• Letter sorting
• Digitising old books
Acronyms
• OCR
• OMR
Optical Character Recognition
Optical Mark Recognition