Chapter 4
Organizing and Manipulating the Data in Databases
True-False Questions
1.
Microsoft Access is an example of a database, not a database management system.
2.
Microsoft Access is an example of a database management system, not a database.
3.
Microsoft Access uses a key symbol to identify the primary record key in a database table.
4.
It is not possible to save a table in Microsoft Access unless you also identify a primary record
key.
5.
A good primary record key to use for a table of employee records that you might create in
Access is the employee’s last name.
6.
The conventional prefix for the name of a table is “tbl.”
7.
To create a relationship between two tables in Microsoft Access, you should use the Queries
window.
8.
To create a relationship between two tables in Microsoft Access, you should use the
Relationships window.
9.
An example of a data type for a data field in the record of an Access table is “Text.”
10.
An example of a data type for a data field in the record of an Access table is “Number.”
11.
The inability to delete a parent record if it has subordinate or “child records” in a relational
database is enforced by using “Referential Integrity” in Microsoft Access.
12.
The inability to delete a parent record if it has subordinate or “child records” in a relational
database is enforced by using “Parental Hierarchy” in Microsoft Access.
13.
A template that you can create in Microsoft Access and that prompts users for expected values
is called a “mask.”
14.
A useful guideline to follow when creating data fields containing text is to assign at least 50
characters to it.
15.
A useful guideline to follow when creating data fields containing text is to limit data fields to
reasonable lengths.
16.
The guideline recommending that you create “mnemonic names for data fields” means that you
should name data fields that rhyme with their data types.
17.
A DBMS is a type of hardware.
TB 4.1
18.
A DBMS is a type of software.
19.
DDL is an acronym for “data definition language.”
20.
Databases are the same thing as database management systems.
21.
A DBMS is an efficient database table in third normal form.
22.
When purchasing a new database management system, managers should focus on the
system’s technological capabilities rather than its compatibility with current systems.
23.
An example of a data type for a database record field is “Memo.”
24.
An example of an input mask for an Access data field is “000\-00\-0000.”
25.
Database designers typically store employee Social Security numbers as “Long Integer”
data types.
26.
DML stands for “data management logic.”
27.
Database management systems allow their users to create “input masks” which help to
prevent input errors.
28.
A database schema is a plan of the entire database.
29.
A database subschema is a plot that can often be discovered with forensic accounting.
30.
SQL is an example of a database query language.
31.
OLAP is notable for its “drill-down capability.”
32.
Online analytical processing enables a computer system to display information that must
be computed from the data stored in a database.
33.
Pivot tables are powerful statistical tools, but allow the user little flexibility in selecting
what data can be analyzed.
34.
Object-oriented databases are used to archive older data that management no longer
needs to process.
35.
Multimedia databases have rendered traditional text databases useless.
36.
It is not necessary for data to be “clean” or accurate if they are stored in a data
warehouse.
37.
If creating a data mart is not cost effective, management should consider creating a data
warehouse, which typically uses less money and time to design.
38.
Data warehouses are only used for analyzing current accounting data.
TB 4.2
39.
Using Microsoft Access, “referential integrity” enables you to delete a record on
the “one” side of a one-to-many relationship.
40.
Using Microsoft Access, you can delete a record from the “many” side of a oneto-many relationship, even if referential integrity is enforced.
41.
A dynaset is the set of records that results from a query.
42.
A dynaset is the total set of records in a database table.
43.
Using Microsoft Access to create a select query with multiple criteria (all of which
you want satisfied at the same time), you should specify them on the same
Criteria line of the query.
44.
Using Microsoft Access to create a select query with multiple criteria (all of which
you want satisfied at the same time), you should specify them on separate
Criteria lines of the query.
45.
An OR operation (query) in Microsoft Access requires you to use multiple Criteria
lines to create the query.
46.
If you wish to create a select query with alternate criteria using Microsoft Access
(e.g., you wish to see a list of all customers living in zip codes 12345 or 12366),
you should specify them on separate Criteria lines of the query.
47.
An update query in Microsoft Access is an example of an action query that
enables you to increase the prices by ten percent for all those products starting
with product code “123.”
48.
An append query in Microsoft Access is an example of an action query that
enables you to systematically add the term “Jr.” to individual names in a
customer database.
49.
A delete query in Microsoft Access is an example of an action query that enables
you to delete all those records in a table satisfying specific criteria.
50.
It is not necessary to spell accurately or correctly when creating queries in
Microsoft Access because such matters as case or spelling are corrected
automatically by the system’s spell checker.
51.
It is not possible to conduct multi-table queries using Microsoft Access because
each table in the system is independent of the others.
TB 4.3
Multiple-Choice Questions
52.
All of the following are data types that you can assign to data fields when creating records in
Microsoft Access except:
a)
Text
b)
Number
c)
Memo
d)
Percent
e)
all of these are legitimate data types
53.
Microsoft uses this symbol to represent the “many” side of a “one-to-many” relationship:
a)
&
b)
N
c)
√
d)
∞
54.
Using Microsoft Access, you create a “one-to-many” relationship between “Customers” records
and “Customer Orders” records. When you view the Customers records in a datasheet view,
Access indicates the presence of these customer order records using this symbol:
a)
&
b)
N
c)
√
d)
∞
e)
+
55.
_________ is an Access tool that prohibits users from deleting parent records with child records
(i.e., records related in a one-to-many relationship).
a)
Referential integrity
b)
Mnemonic naming
c)
Integrative relationships
d)
Data typing
e)
none of these is correct
56.
The proper prefix to use when naming a table in Microsoft Access is:
a)
tab
b)
table
c)
tbl
d)
tb
e)
none of these
57.
Which one of these is not a good guideline to follow when creating tables in a relational
database?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Design first, create tables later
Name tables systematically, using conventional “tbl” prefixes
Use mnemonic names for data fields
Assign at least 50 characters to each text field
Use consistent data types for primary and foreign key fields
TB 4.4
58.
A database management system is:
a)
A set of computer files
b)
A set of one or more computer programs
c)
A set of data to be processed by a computer
d)
A manual accounting information system
59.
Database management systems are important to accountants because:
a)
They automate file storage tasks and enable accountants to generate worthwhile
financial reports
b)
They eliminate data redundancy
c)
They are unique data structures which accountants have never used before
d)
They are easy to develop and therefore save money
e)
They are energy efficient
60.
Database management systems can be implemented on:
a)
Mainframe computers only
b)
Mainframe and minicomputers only
c)
Mainframes, minicomputers, and microcomputers
d)
Microcomputers only
61.
A disadvantage of database management systems is that:
a)
They are not flexible
b)
They cannot be implemented on microcomputers
c)
They rarely support file inquiries
d)
They are often machine dependent (e.g., not all DBMSs can run on all types of
computers)
62.
Which of these terms is synonymous with the term “combo box?”
a)
Collection box
b)
Textbox
c)
Criteria line
d)
Drop-down box
63.
An advantage of using a drop-down box in an Access database is that:
a)
It helps users avoid input errors
b)
It provides an input mask for data entries
c)
It automatically screens numeric data for incorrect values
d)
all of these are correct
64.
All of the following are advantages of drop-down boxes in Access except:
a)
It limits users to valid input choices
b)
It takes a small amount of room, even if the number of choices is large
c)
It always limits users to numeric entries
d)
The entries for the combo box can be stored in a separate table
65.
You can instruct Access to display a particular error message if you use this property:
a)
Validation rule
b)
Validation text
c)
Validation message
d)
Validation error
TB 4.5
66.
If you require a data entry in an Access database to fall between two dates
(rather than between two numeric values):
a)
You should use a select query using one line
b)
You should use a select query, using two lines
c)
You should use a validation rule and the word “between”
d)
This is impossible to require in Access
67.
A database developer can require Access to display records in an ascending sequence
using this data field property:
a)
Organize
b)
Index
c)
Reorganize
d)
Sequencing
68.
A “default value” for an Access data field is:
a)
The value of last resort
b)
A value that Access will assume if the user does not enter one
c)
A value that Access will take from the last record entered into the system
d)
none of these
69.
An advantage of defining a default value for an Access data field is that it:
a)
Assures that the data in all records will be exactly the same for that field
b)
Eliminates data redundancy
c)
Helps create subsequent queries on that field
d)
Saves typing, and probably errors
70.
The purpose of an input mask is to:
a)
Disguise data when they are first input into a database
b)
Transform data from alphabetic to numeric formats
c)
Help users avoid data entry errors
d)
Hide sensitive data such as passwords onscreen
71.
At the time that a user starts to input data into a database, an “input mask” for a
telephone number in an Access database might look like:
a)
xxx-xxx-xxxx
b)
abc-def-ghij
c)
(___) ___-____
d)
none of these
72.
The value that a database will use if the user does not provide an alternate value is
called a(n):
a)
Asset value
b)
Text value
c)
Control value
d)
Default value
TB 4.6
73.
To perform a range test of the “hours worked” data field for an employee, you should
store the term “Between 0 and 40” in which of these properties in Access?
a)
Text
b)
Testing procedure
c)
Validation rule
d)
Validation text
74.
To perform a range test on the hours worked data field in an Access database that
requires the entry to be at least 0 and no more than 40, you should express this
requirement as:
a)
At least 0; Not more than 40
b)
0<= X <= 40
c)
Between 0 And 40
d)
none of these
75.
The purpose of using validation tests in the record definition of a database is to:
a)
Make sure the database works properly
b)
Avoid data entry errors
c)
Ensure normalized data
d)
Verify that the user is authorized to enter data in the database
76.
In Access, a validation rule triggers at the time when:
a)
The user enters a value that falls outside the allowable range
b)
The DBMS first uses the data in a report
c)
The user first requests the database to test data with a menu command
d)
The user powers up Access and loads that particular database
77.
DML stands for:
a)
Distributed management logic
b)
Data management logic
c)
Data management language
d)
Data manipulation language
78.
When Access links records to one another in different tables, the foreign key in one
record refers to the _______ in another record.
a)
Primary key
b)
Secondary key
c)
Foreign key
d)
Linkage key
79.
Which tool enables a DBMS to extract only a subset of records from a database?
a)
Table
b)
Query
c)
Validation test
d)
none of these
TB 4.7
80.
One purpose of a data manipulation language is to:
a)
Create data fields
b)
Define the record structure
c)
Create queries on the data
d)
all of these
81.
All of these are examples of action queries that you can create in Microsoft Access
except:
a)
Append query
b)
Update query
c)
Make table query
d)
Delete query
e)
Validation query
82.
You can increase the prices of selected products systematically using Microsoft’s:
a)
Append query
b)
Update query
c)
Make table query
d)
Delete query
e)
Select query
83.
You could append the term “Jr.” to selected names in a customer database using
Microsoft’s:
a)
Append query
b)
Update query
c)
Make table query
d)
Select query
e)
none of these (this is not possible using an action query)
84.
A school administrator wishes to select the names of all students who have taken at
least 130 units of credit at your university to see if they qualify for graduation. Which of
these is the best type of query to use for this task?
a)
Append query
b)
Update query
c)
Make table query
d)
Select query
e)
Make report query
85.
A school administrator wishes to select the names of all students who live in a certain
city. That city has exactly two zip codes in it. Which of these would be the best
approach to use for this task?
a)
Perform two separate select queries, using only one zip code for each task
b)
Perform a single select query, placing the zip codes on the same Criteria line of
the query
c)
Perform a single select query, placing the zip codes on separate Criteria lines of
the query
d)
Perform a single, update query
e)
none of these (this is not possible using Microsoft Access)
TB 4.8
86.
Which of these is a desirable guideline to follow when creating queries with
Microsoft Access?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Spell accurately
Don’t worry about capitalization
Join each table at least twice to ensure their connectivity
Name each query you create “Query”
87.
Which of these is an example of a data query language?
a)
ABC
b)
SQL
c)
DDL
d)
JPG
88.
Which of these types of databases might also store instructions that indicate how to
compute an employee’s net pay?
a)
Multidimensional database
b)
Hierarchical database
c)
Object oriented database
d)
Data dictionary
89.
These databases can include graphics, audio, and animation:
a)
Multidimensional databases
b)
Hierarchical databases
c)
Object-oriented databases
d)
Multimedia databases
90.
OLAP stands for:
a)
Object Language for Access Programming
b)
Object Level Analytical Programming
c)
Online Analytical Processing
d)
none of these
91.
An advantage of a multimedia database is that:
a)
They can store graphics and pictures as well as numeric data
b)
They are also object-oriented databases
c)
They allow users to upload pictures in web applications
d)
all of these are advantages
92.
Sorting and Indexing database records are similar in that:
a)
Neither require underlying table records
b)
Both require the user to first define data validation rules
c)
Both reorganize the way record data appear in outputs
d)
none of these
93.
Sorting records are unlike indexing records in that:
a)
Sorting physically rewrites records on disks whereas indexing does not
b)
Sorting requires a primary key whereas indexing does not
c)
Indexing requires a separate database file whereas sorting does not
d)
none of these
TB 4.9
94.
Which of these is true about finding data in multimedia databases?
a)
It is not possible to search them because graphics have no text keys for
searching
b)
It is not possible to search them because audio objects have no text keys for
searching
c)
It is possible to search for items in them because such characteristics as
“speaker” or “subject” can be used as search parameters
d)
It is possible to search for items in them if the name of the embedded graphics or
audio file is also known
95.
A car parts inventory database that includes a picture of the part itself as a graphic
would most likely be stored in which type of database?
a)
Multidimensional database
b)
Hierarchical database
c)
Object oriented database
d)
Data dictionary
96.
All of these are characteristics of the data stored in a data warehouse except:
a)
Data are clean of errors
b)
Data are defined uniformly
c)
Data are stored in consistent formats
d)
Data are simplified, and thus cannot be used to answer complex questions
97.
Organizations sometimes pool the historical data from various, separate organizational
databases into a common body of information called a(n):
e)
Data pool
f)
Data warehouse
g)
Amazon database
h)
Franchise database
98.
Another word for “cleaning” the data in preparation for storing it in a data warehouse in
order to ensure uniform accuracy is:
a)
Scrubbing
b)
Sanitizing
c)
Validating
d)
Coding
99.
As a general rule, creating data warehouses is:
a)
Easy
b)
Habit forming
c)
Challenging but often worth the cost
d)
Challenging, and historically rarely worth the cost
100.
In Access, the terms “size,” “data type,” and “input mask” are mostly closely associated with:
a)
A table
b)
A record
c)
A data field
d)
A database
TB 4.10
101.
Using Access, which of these terms is not associated with defining a data field within a record?
a)
Field name
b)
Data type
c)
Currency value
d)
Description
102.
Using Access, which of the following is not a recognized data type?
a)
yes/no
b)
Year
c)
Currency
d)
Date
Short Answer Questions
103.
What is the difference between a database and a database management
system?
104.
Why would an organization allow some users to only view a subschema of a
database file instead of the schema?
TB 4.11