Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
True/False Questions
1. Internal outputs are intended for the internal system owners and system users within
an organization. They only rarely find their way outside the organization.
Answer: True Page: 550 LOD: Easy
2. Some detailed reports are historical.
Answer: True Page: 550 LOD: Easy
3. Some detailed reports are regulatory, that is, required by the government.
Answer: True Page: 550 LOD: Easy
4. Summary reports categorize information for managers who do not want to wade
through details. The data for summary reports are typically categorized and
summarized to indicate trends and potential problems.
Answer: True Page: 553 LOD: Easy
5. Exception reports filter data before it is presented to the manager as information.
Exception reports only include exceptions to some condition or standard.
Answer: True Page: 553 LOD: Easy
6. External reports leave the organization. They are intended for customers, suppliers,
partners, and regulatory agencies. They usually conclude or report on business
transactions.
Answer: True Page: 553 LOD: Easy
7. Summary reports present information with little or no filtering or restrictions.
Answer: False Page: 550 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Detailed reports present information with little or no filtering or
restrictions.
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8. Detailed reports categorize information for managers who do not want to wade
through summaries. The data for detailed reports are typically categorized to indicate
trends and potential problems.
Answer: False Page: 553 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Summary reports categorize information for managers who do not want to
wade through details. The data for summary reports are typically categorized and
summarized to indicate trends and potential problems.
9. Detailed reports filter data before it is presented to the manager as information.
Detailed reports only include exceptions to some condition or standard.
Answer: False Page: 553 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Exception reports filter data before it is presented to the managers as
information. Exception reports only include exceptions to some condition or standard.
10. Internal reports are intended for customers, suppliers, partners, and regulatory
agencies. They usually conclude or report on business transactions.
Answer: False Page: 553 LOD: Medium
Rationale: External reports are intended for customers, suppliers, partners, and
regulatory agencies. They usually conclude or report on business transactions.
11. Exception reports are those external outputs that eventually reenter the system as
inputs.
Answer: False Page: 553 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Turnaround outputs are those external outputs that eventually reenter the
system as inputs. Exception reports filter data before it is presented to the manager as
information. Exception reports only include exceptions to some condition or standard.
12. The paperless office is finally and quickly becoming a reality.
Answer: False Page: 554 LOD: Easy
Rationale: Although the paperless office has been predicted for many years, it has not
yet become a reality.
13. The most common medium for computer outputs is paper.
Answer: True Page: 554 LOD: Medium
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
14. Tabular output presents information as columns of text and numbers.
Answer: True Page: 554 LOD: Easy
15. Zoned output places text and numbers into designated areas or boxes of a form or
screen.
Answer: True Page: 554 LOD: Easy
16. Zoned output presents information as columns of text and numbers.
Answer: False Page: 554 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Tabular output presents information as columns of text and numbers. Zoned
output places text and numbers into designated area or boxes of a form or screen.
17. Tabular output places text and numbers into designated areas or boxes of a form or
screen.
Answer: False Page: 554 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Tabular output presents information as columns of text and numbers. Zoned
output places text and numbers into designated area or boxes of a form or screen.
18. Graphic output is the use of a pictorial chart to convey information in ways that
demonstrate trends and relationships not easily seen in tabular output.
Answer: True Page: 556 LOD: Easy
19. Zoned output is the use of a pictorial chart to convey information in ways that
demonstrate trends and relationships in zones of data not easily seen in tabular output.
Answer: False Page: 556 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Graphic output is the use of a pictorial chart to convey information in ways
that demonstrate trends and relationships not easily seen in tabular output.
20. Point of sale terminals are both input and output devices that are used in retail and
consumer transactions.
Answer: True Page: 556 LOD: Easy
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
21. Multimedia is a term coined to collectively describe any information presented in a
format other than traditional numbers, codes and words. This includes graphics,
sound, pictures, and animation.
Answer: True Page: 556 LOD: Easy
22. Multimedia output is not dependent on screen display technology. Sound, in the form
of telephone touch-tone-based systems, can be used to implement an interesting output
alternative.
Answer: True Page: 556 LOD: Easy
23. E-mail has transformed communications in modern business.
Answer: True Page: 590 LOD: Easy
24. New information systems are expected to be message-enabled, that is, to have an
interface with electronic mail.
Answer: True Page: 556 LOD: Easy
25. Many outputs are now web-enabled with hyperlinks.
Answer: True Page: 558 LOD: Easy
26. To overcome the storage problem of paper, many businesses use microfilm or
microfiche as an output medium.
Answer: True Page: 558 LOD: Easy
27. Spreadsheets are ideally suited to the creation of tabular output prototypes.
Answer: True Page: 558 LOD: Easy
28. The most commonly used automated tool for output design is the PC-database
application development environment.
Answer: True Page: 558 LOD: Easy
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
29. Computer outputs should be simple to read and interpret.
Answer: True Page: 559 LOD: Easy
30. Computer outputs should be complex so that they can present as much information as
possible to management.
Answer: False Page: 559 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Computer outputs should be simple to read and interpret.
31. Output requirements should have been defined during requirements analysis.
Answer: True Page: 562 LOD: Easy
32. Line charts show one or more series of data over a period of time.
Answer: True Page: 557 LOD: Easy
33. Column charts are similar to bar charts except that the bars are vertical. A series of
column charts may be used to compare the same categories at different times or time
intervals. Each vertical bar represents one series or category of data.
Answer: True Page: 557 LOD: Easy
34. Pie charts show the relationship of parts to a whole.
Answer: True Page: 557 LOD: Easy
35. Donut charts are similar to pie charts, except that they can show multiple series or
categories of data, each as its own concentric ring. Within each ring, a slice of that
ring represents one item in that series of data.
Answer: True Page: 557 LOD: Easy
36. Line charts show one or more areas of data under lines to summarize and show the
change in data over time.
Answer: False Page: 557 LOD: Easy
Rationale: Area charts show one or more areas of data under lines to summarize and
show the change in data over time. Line charts show one or more series of data over a
period of time. They are useful for summarizing and showing data at regular intervals.
Each line represents one series or category of data.
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
37. Area charts are useful for comparing series or categories of data, where each
horizontal bar represents the area of one series or category of data.
Answer: False Page: 557 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Area charts are similar to line charts except that the focus is on the area
under the line. Bar charts are useful for comparing series or categories of data. Each
horizontal bar represents one series or category of data.
38. Pie charts are useful for showing the relationship between two or more series or
categories of data measured at uneven intervals of time. Each series is represented by
data points using different colors or bullets.
Answer: False Page: 557 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Pie charts show the relationship of parts to a whole. They are useful for
summarizing percentages of a whole within a single series of data. Each slice
represents one item in that series of data. Scatter charts are useful for showing the
relationship between two or more series or categories of data measured at uneven
intervals of time. Each series is represented by data points using either different colors
or bullets.
39. Scatter charts are similar to pie charts except that they can show multiple series or
categories of data, each as its own concentric ring scattered around the center of a pie
chart. Within each ring, a slice of that ring represents one item in that series of data.
The colors of the series are represented by patterns such as diamonds or bullets.
Answer: False Page: 557 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Scatter charts are useful for showing the relationship between two or more
series or categories of data measured at uneven intervals of time. Each series is
represented by data points using either different colors or bullets. Donut charts are
similar to pie charts except that they can show multiple series or categories of data,
each as its own concentric ring. Within each ring, a slice of that ring represents one
item in that series of data.
40. An automated teller machine (ATM) is an example of a Point-of-Sale Terminal.
Answer: True Page: 556 LOD: Easy
41. Multimedia output can only be done with a computer monitor.
Answer: False Page: 556 LOD: Easy
Rationale: Multimedia output is not dependent on screen display technology. Sound,
in the form of telephone touch-tone-based systems, can be used to implement an
interesting output alternative.
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
42. E-mail is primarily used for external outputs, such as order fulfillment e-mails from an
e-commerce website.
Answer: False Page: 556 LOD: Medium
Rationale: Internal outputs may also be e-mail-enhanced. For example, a system can
push notification of the availability of new reports.
43. Physical data flow diagrams are a good starting point for output design.
Answer: True Page: 562 LOD: Easy
44. Pie charts are useful for summarizing percentages of a whole within a single series of
data. Each slice represents one item in that series of data.
Answer: True Page: 557 LOD: Easy
45. You should avoid abbreviations in column headings.
Answer: True Page: 566 LOD: Medium
Multiple Choice Questions
46. Output that is presented as columns of text and numbers is known as:
A) zoned
B) graphic
C) bar
D) tabular
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 554 LOD: Medium
47. Output that places text and numbers into designated areas or boxes of a form or screen
is known as:
A) zoned
B) graphic
C) scattered
D) tabular
E) none of these
Answer: A Page: 554 LOD: Medium
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
48. The use of pictorial charts to convey information in ways that demonstrate trends and
relationships not easily seen in tabular output is known as:
A) zoned output
B) scattered output
C) pie charts
D) graphic output
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 556 LOD: Medium
49. Many of today's retail and consumer transactions are enabled or enhanced by:
A) printed output
B) display screens
C) point of sale terminals
D) tabular terminals
E) none of these
Answer: C Page: 556 LOD: Medium
50. A term coined to collectively describe any information presented in a format other
than traditional numbers, codes and words; including: graphics, sound, pictures and
animation, is:
A) multimodal
B) graphical
C) zoned
D) multimedia
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 556 LOD: Medium
51. Which kind of chart shows one or more series of data over a period of time? It is
useful for summarizing and showing data at regular intervals. Each line represents
one series or category of data.
A) area
B) bar
C) column
D) line
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 557 LOD: Medium
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
52. Which kind of chart is similar to a line chart except that the focus is on the area under
the line? It is useful for summarizing and showing the change in data over time. Each
line represents one series or category of data.
A) area
B) bar
C) column
D) donut
E) none of these
Answer: A Page: 557 LOD: Medium
53. Which kind of chart is useful for comparing series or categories of data? Each
horizontal bar represents one series or category of data.
A) area
B) bar
C) column
D) donut
E) none of these
Answer: B Page: 557 LOD: Medium
54. Which kind of chart is similar to bar charts except that the bars are vertical? Also, a
series of charts may be used to compare the same categories at different times or time
intervals. Each bar represents one category of data.
A) area
B) radar
C) column
D) donut
E) none of these
Answer: C Page: 557 LOD: Medium
55. Which kind of chart shows the relationship of parts to a whole? It is useful for
summarizing percentages of a whole within a single series of data.
A) area
B) radar
C) pie
D) scatter
E) none of these
Answer: C Page: 557 LOD: Medium
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
56. Which kind of chart is similar to pie charts except that they can show multiple series
or categories of data, each in its own concentric ring?
A) area
B) radar
C) scatter
D) donut
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 557 LOD: Medium
57. Which kind of chart is useful for comparing different aspects of more than one series
of data? Each data series is represented as a geometric shape around a central point.
Multiple series are overlaid so that they can be compared.
A) area
B) radar
C) scatter
D) donut
E) none of these
Answer: B Page: 557 LOD: Medium
58. Which kind of chart is useful for showing the relationship between two or more series
or categories of data measured at uneven intervals of time? Each series is represented
by data points using either different colors or bullets.
A) area
B) radar
C) scatter
D) donut
E) none of these
Answer: C Page: 557 LOD: Medium
59. Paper is bulky and requires considerable storage space. To overcome the storage
problem, many businesses use what other output medium?
A) hyperlinks
B) microfilm
C) microfish
D) multimedia
E) B and C
Answer: B Page: 558 LOD: Medium
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
60. Computer outputs should be simple to read and interpret. Which of the following is a
guideline that applies to this principle?
A) every output should have a title
B) every output should be dated and time stamped
C) only required information should be printed or displayed
D) information should never have to be manually edited to become usable
E) all of these
Answer: E Page: 559-560 LOD: Easy
61. Which of the following is a general principle for output design?
A) The timing of computer outputs is important. Output information must reach
recipients while the information is pertinent to transactions or decisions.
B) The distribution of (or access to) computer outputs must be sufficient to assist all
relevant users.
C) The computer outputs must be acceptable to the system users.
D) Computer outputs should be simple to read and interpret.
E) all of these
Answer: E Page: 559-562 LOD: Medium
62. Which of the following is a design issue related to output design?
A) How frequently is the output generated?
B) How many pages or sheets of output will be generated for a single copy of a
printed output?
C) Does the output require multiple copies? If so, how many?
D) Have the distribution controls been finalized?
E) all of these
Answer: E Page: 563 LOD: Easy
63. Which of the following is a design issue related to preprinted forms?
A) Should the form be designed for mailing? If so, address locations become
important based on whether or not windowed envelopes will be used.
B) How many forms will be required for printing each day? Week? Month? Year?
C) What preprinted information must appear on the form? This includes contact
information, headings, labels and other common information to appear on all
copies of the form.
D) What legends, policies and instructions need to be printed on the form (both front
and back)?
E) all of these
Answer: E Page: 564 LOD: Easy
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
64. Which of the following can be used as an output prototyping tool?
A) a spreadsheet
B) Microsoft Access
C) CASE tools
D) A and B
E) all of these
Answer: E Page: 558-559 LOD: Easy
65. Which of the following reports presents information with little or no filtering or
restrictions?
A) summary
B) exception
C) external
D) detailed
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 550 LOD: Medium
66. Which of the following reports categorizes information for managers who do not want
to wade through the details?
A) summary
B) exception
C) external
D) detailed
E) none of these
Answer: A Page: 553 LOD: Medium
67. Which of the following reports filter data before it is presented to the manager as
information, and only includes information about records that are out of the ordinary
or not according to some standard?
A) summary
B) exception
C) external
D) detailed
E) none of these
Answer: B Page: 553 LOD: Medium
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
68. Which of the following reports leave the organization, and are intended for customers,
suppliers, partners and regulatory agencies?
A) internal
B) exception
C) detailed
D) external
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 553 LOD: Medium
69. Which of the following reports are external outputs that reenter the system as inputs?
A) exception
B) detailed
C) summary
D) turnaround
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 553 LOD: Medium
70. If you wanted to graph the height of a growing child over time, which of the following
kinds of charts would be best?
A) line
B) pie
C) donut
D) radar
E) time
Answer: A Page: 557 LOD: Medium
71. A list of the names all students currently earning a D or lower would be an example of
a(n):
A) summary report
B) exception report
C) external report
D) detailed report
E) none of these
Answer: B Page: 553 LOD: Medium
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
72. A count of the number of students enrolled in each major would be an example of
a(n):
A) summary report
B) exception report
C) external report
D) detailed report
E) none of these
Answer: A Page: 553 LOD: Medium
73. A count of the number of students enrolled in each major would be an example of
a(n):
A) summary report
B) exception report
C) external report
D) detailed report
E) none of these
Answer: A Page: 553 LOD: Medium
74. A listing of the names of all students enrolled at a university would be an example of
a(n):
A) summary report
B) exception report
C) external report
D) detailed report
E) none of these
Answer: D Page: 550 LOD: Medium
75. The most common medium for computer outputs is:
A) microfilm
B) microfiche
C) electronic mail
D) Internet
E) none of these
Answer: E Page: 554 LOD: Medium
Rationale: The answer is paper.
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
Fill in the Blank Questions
76. The most common medium for computer outputs is _____________________.
Answer: Paper
Page: 554 LOD: Medium
77. Internal outputs are typically printed on __________________ paper.
Answer: blank or stock
Page: 554 LOD: Hard
78. External outputs and turnaround documents are usually printed on
_______________________ forms.
Answer: preprinted
Page: 554 LOD: Medium
79. _____________________ output presents information as columns of text and
numbers.
Answer: tabular
Page: 554 LOD: Hard
80. ___________________ output places text and numbers into designated areas or boxes
of a form or screen.
Answer: Zoned
Page: 554 LOD: Hard
81. ____________________ output is most suited to the pace of today's economy that
requires information on demand.
Answer: screen
Page: 556 LOD: Hard
82. Many of today's retail and consumer transactions are enabled or enhanced by
________________________________. Examples include cashier machines and
ATMs.
Answer: point of sale terminals (POS)
Page: 556 LOD: Hard
83. _______________________ is a term coined to collectively describe any information
presented in a format other than traditional numbers, codes and words. This includes
graphics, sound, pictures and animation.
Answer: multimedia Page: 556 LOD: Hard
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
84. The most commonly used automated tool for output design is the
___________________________________.
Answer: PC-based database application development environment or Access
Page: 558 LOD: Hard
85. One way to classify outputs is according to their distribution. List three distribution
destinations for outputs.
Answer: (a) internal, (b) external, (c) turnaround
Page: 550-553 LOD: Hard
86. What are the three sub-classes of internal outputs?
Answer: (a) detailed, (b) summary, (c) exception
Page: 550-553 LOD: Hard
87. Identify three types of tools that can be used to prototype computer outputs.
Answer: (1) layout tools, (2) prototyping tools, (3) code generating tools
LOD: Hard
Page: 558
88. Which output medium is most suited to providing information on demand?
Answer: screen
Page: 556 LOD: Hard
89. List and briefly describe at least five types of charts that can be used for graphical
outputs.
Answer: (1) line, (2) area, (3) bar, (4) column, (5) pie, (6) donut, (7) radar, (8) scatter
Page: 557 LOD: Hard
90. Explain how e-mail and hyperlinks can be used for designing outputs.
Answer: E-mail is typically used to confirm or report on e-commerce transactions
generated on the Internet. It is also used to solicit customer feedback. Hyperlinks are
used to allow users to browse information on demand. It is also used for designing
consolidated reports as a report archival system. Page: 556-558 LOD: Hard
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
91. Identify four general principles for output design.
Answer: (1) computer outputs should be simple and easy to read; (2) the timing of
outputs is important, the recipients should receive the reports in time to make pertinent
decisions; (3) the distribution of or access to computer outputs must be sufficient to
assist all relevant system users; (4) the computer outputs must be acceptable to the
system users who will receive them Page: 559-562 LOD: Hard
92. Identify the steps for output design.
Answer: (1) Identify system outputs and review logical requirements. (2) Specify
physical output requirements. (3) As necessary, design any preprinted external forms.
(4) Design, validate and test outputs using some combination of (a) layout tools, (b)
prototyping tools, (c) code generating tools. Page: 562 LOD: Hard
93. The _______________________________ for a data flow specifies the attributes or
fields to be included in the output. If those requirements are specified in algebraic
notation, you can quickly determine which fields repeat, and which fields have
optional values.
Answer: data structure
Page: 562 LOD: Hard
94. Identify at least five principles associated with tabular report design.
Answer: (1) page size, (2) page orientation, (3) page headings, (4) report legends, (5)
column headings, (6) heading alignments, (7) column spacing, (8) row headings, (9)
formatting, (10) control breaks, (11) end of report Page: 565-566 LOD: Hard
95. Identify at least four principles associated with screen output design.
Answer: (1) size, (2) scrolling, (3) navigation, (4) partitioning, (5) information hiding,
(6) highlighting, (7) printing Page: 567 LOD: Hard
96. ________________________ outputs are those external outputs that eventually
reenter the system as inputs.
Answer: Turnaround Page: 553 LOD: Hard
97. _____________________ outputs are intended for the system owners and users within
an organization. They only rarely find their way outside the organization.
Answer: Internal
Page: 550 LOD: Hard
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Chapter 15 Output Design and Prototyping
98. _______________________ reports are internal outputs that present information with
little or no filtering or restrictions.
Answer: detailed
Page: 550 LOD: Hard
99. ________________________ reports are internal reports that categorize information
for managers who do not want to wade through details.
Answer: Summary Page: 553 LOD: Hard
100. _______________________ reports are internal reports that filter data before it is
presented to the manager as information. They report on out of the ordinary
conditions or conditions that vary from a standard.
Answer: Exception
Page: 553 LOD: Hard
101. _______________________ outputs leave the organization. They are intended for
customers, suppliers, partners and regulatory agencies.
Answer: External
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