INTRODUCTION TO

INFORMATION
SYSTEM
CSC 311
2 UNIT

Ikono, Rhoda (PhD)

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Faculty of Technology
MODULE 1

LECTURE 2
 CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Objectives
3. Content
✔ History of information communication and Information
Systems
✔ Definitions and Basic Concepts of IS
✔ System
✔ System Components

4. Conclusion
5. Summary
6. Marked Assignment
7. References/Further Readings
 RATIONAL FOR THE STUDY

• Learn about emerging advances in information System

• Create a timeline of the history of information technology
• Explain the difference between data and information
• Understand the characteristics of valuable information
system
• To provide you with a basic knowledge of the different
elements of information systems:
 OBJECTIVES

• Define the basic concepts of Information System (IS)

• Distinguish data from information and describe the
characteristics used to evaluate the quality of data
• analyse the way in which information flows in and out of an
organization.
• Identify the components of an IS and describe several system
characteristics
• Identify the basic types of models and explain how they are
used
HISTORY: INFORMATION SYSTEM

• JUL 1, 1642: First Calculator

• Blaise Pascal, French mathematician and philosopher invented mechanical
calculator so figures could be added to provide information

• Aug 30, 1890: Tabulator

• Herman Hollerith created a punch card system to tabulate data for the 1890 census.
• Hollerith later used the company to provide data processing equipment evolving into
International Business Machines (IBM)
 HISTORY: INFORMATION SYSTEM

• May 21, 1952: Punch Cards

• IBM Created a punch card system- allowed mainframes to read and
interpret data from computers by reading hole punchers.
• Jan 1, 1960: Enthusiasm for information systems
• Increased enthusiasm for information systems to enhance management
decision process.
• Mid1960's accounting systems were fairly effective in supplying
descriptive information’s but lacked capacity.
HISTORY: INFORMATION SYSTEM
• Sep 7, 1970: Four year program
• Colleges and Business schools created a full four-year program designed to study
information systems
• Mainframe Computers are being used
• Computers and data are centralized
• Systems are connected to business functions (billing, inventory and payroll)
• First cell phone call made

• Jan 3, 1980: PC
• PC's and LANs were installed.
• Departments set up own computer systems.
• Using Word Processors and Spreadsheets made departments less depend on the IT
department.
HISTORY: INFORMATION SYSTEM

• Jan 1, 1990
• Wide Area Networks (WANs) become corporate standards
• Management looks for system integration and data integration

• Jan 1, 2000: Wide Area Network

• Wide Area Networks expands to the Internet to include global enterprise and
business partners. Also began to look for data sharing across systems.
Iphone, Ipad and Ipod invented. Main focus was efficiencies and speed
in inventory, manufacturing and distributions
 INFORMATION

Common definition of information is data. However, data is no

true information. Data gets its meaning and significance if only it
is information. Information is represented with data, symbols and
letters.
Information has following properties:
• Objective: One of the key properties of information is its
objectiveness. Objective information is a key component of any
modern scientific research.
• Subjective: Set of information which is useful to science may
be abstract or irrelevant for others. Therefore, information is
subjective also.
• Temporary: Information is temporary with every update in the
database.
 REPRESENTATION OF
INFORMATION
• Information is represented with help of data, numbers,
letters or symbols. Information is perceived in a way it
gets represented. Decimal system and binary system are
two ways of representing information. The binary circuits
of computers are designed to operate under two states
(0,1).
 INFORMATION CONCEPT
• Data: data is raw. It simply exists and has no
significance beyond its existence (in and of itself).
It can exist in any form, usable or not. It does not
have meaning of itself. In computer parlance, a
spread sheet generally starts out by holding data.
• Data is the plural of datum, a single piece of
information. In practice, however, people use data
as both the singular and plural form of the word.
• The term data is often used to distinguish binary
machine-readable information from textual human-
readable information.
• In database management systems, data files are
the files that store the database information,
Types of Data

Data Represented by

Alphanumeric data Numbers, letters and other

characters

Image data Graphic images and pictures

Audio data Sound, noise or tones

Video data Moving images or pictures.

 PROCESS

• This is a set of logically related tasks performed to

achieve a defined outcome. That is turning data into
information. The process of defining relationships among
data to create useful information requires knowledge.
 KNOWLEDGE

• This involves both data and the relationships among data elements or their
sets. This organization of data based on relationships is what enables one
to draw generalizations from the data so organized, and to formulate
questions about which one wishes to acquire more data.
• An awareness and understanding of a set of information and how that information can be
made useful to support a specific task
• The act of selecting or rejecting facts based on their relevancy to particular
tasks is also based on a type of knowledge used in the process of converting
data into information.

• Knowledge base
• The collection of data, rules, procedures, and relationships that must be
followed to achieve value or the proper outcome
 INFORMATION

• Information is data that has been given meaning by way of

relational connection. This "meaning" can be useful, but
does not have to be. In computer parlance, a relational
database makes information from the data stored within it.
• When we compare data with information, the first obvious
difference is that information must be seen in a context in
which it makes sense.
• The second characteristic is that there must be a process by
which data gets transformed into information
 The
transformation
Dat process (applying Informat
a knowledge by ion
selecting,
organizing and
manipulating data

The process of Transforming Data into

Information
 ORGANIZATION OF
INFORMATION
• The way in which information is organized
directly affect the way the information is
managed and retrieved.
• The simplest way of organizing information is
through linear model. In this form, data is
structured one after another, for example, in
magnetic tapes, music tapes, etc.
• In a binary tree model, data is arranged in an inverted
tree format where it assumes two values.
• The hierarchy model is derived from a binary tree model.
In this model, branch can assume multi-value data, for
example in the UNIX operating system this model is used
for its file system.
• The hypertext model is another way of organizing
information; World Wide Web is an example of this model.
• Random access model is another way of organizing
information. This model is used for optimum utilization of
 NETWORKING INFORMATION

Information is networked through network topology. The

layout of all the connected devices, and it provides virtual
shape or structure to the network is known as network
topology. The physical structure may not be representative
of network topology. The basic types of topology are bus,
ring, star, tree and mesh.
• The above topologies are constructed and managed with
help of Hubs, Switches, Bridges, Routers, Brouters and
Gateways.
 SECURING INFORMATION

• Security of information as well as an information system

is critical. Data back-up is on the way through which
Information can be made secured. Security management
for network and information system is distinct for
different setup like home, small business, medium
business, large business, school and government.
 THE VALUE OF INFORMATION

• Data becomes information when it is applied to some purpose

and adds value for the recipient.
• The value of information is directly linked to how it helps
people achieve their organizational goal.
• The value of information must also relate to the frequency of
its provision, and to the level in the management hierarchy
where it is sent and used.
• To be valuable, information must have several characteristics
such as:
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
VALUABLE INFORMATION
Characteristics Definitions
Accurate How accurate is the information. Accurate information is
error free
Complete Does it contain all the important facts? Complete
information contains all the important facts
Economical How much did it cost to produce the information?
Information should also be relatively economical to produce.
Flexible Flexible information can be used for a variety of purposes.
Reliable How dependable is the information? It is related to
how the information was obtained.
Relevant How pertinent is the information to the question or
decision?
Simple How complex or detailed is the information?
Timely How up-to-date is the information?
Verifiable Can the correctness of the information be checked?
Accessible Should be easily accessible by authorized users
Secure Should be secure from access by unauthorized users
 FLOW OF INFORMATION

• Without a good flow of information, most organisations would

not find it possible to function
• Information flows in a
• Hierarchy and
• project based organisation

• Dynamics in Technology has made it faster for information

flow
• Information has become more readily available due to the
explosion of electronic information
 INFORMATION MAPPING

• Mapping the information flow into and out of an organization

is one way to think about how effectively information is
managed.
• To do this,
• Identification of the source of information is necessary and the
people that require the information
• Determine how effective this information meets decision making
needs
• Determine how it meets the information needs of others within
and outside the organisation.
 SYSTEM
• System: Since a system is a subjective concept, there is
no unanimously accepted definition of a system.
• a system is a set of elements or components that interact
to accomplish a goal or set of objectives
• The system does something, i.e. it exhibits a type of
behaviour unique to the system or has a specific
objective or purpose.
• Each component contributes specifically towards the
behaviour of the system and is affected by being in the
system. If a component is removed, it will change the
system behaviour.
 SYSTEM

• A system may include software, mechanical, electrical

and electronic hardware and be operated by people.
• System components are dependent on other system
components
• The properties and behaviour of system components are
inextricably inter-mingled
 SYSTEM

• In a system, network of components work towards a

single objective, if there is lack of co-ordination among
components, it leads to counterproductive results. A
system may have the following features:
• Adaptability: some systems are adaptive to the exterior
environment, while some systems are non-adaptive to the
external environment. For example, anti-lock braking
system in car reacts depending on the road conditions,
where as the music system in the car is independent of
other happening with the car.
• Limitation: every system has pre-defined limits or
boundaries within which it operates. This limits or
boundaries can be defined by law or current state of
technology.
 THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF A
SYSTEM

• Inputs
• The activity of gathering and capturing data
• Processing mechanisms
• Converting or transforming data into useful
outputs
• Outputs
• Useful information, usually in the form of
documents and/or reports
 EXAMPLE
System Element
Inputs Processing Outputs Goals
Mechanism
Students, Teaching, Educated Acquisition of
Professors, Research, students; knowledge
Administrator Services Meaningful
s, research;
Text books, Services to
College Equipment community,
state and
nation

An example of systems and their goals

and element
 EXAMPLE Patient with glasses is
Environment
a lot better. (feedback)

Eye problem due to so Obtains glasses.

much focus on the Visits an (output)
computer screen. Ophthalmologist who
(input) checks and prescribes
the aid of glasses.
(Process)
 SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND
BOUNDARIES
• The components of a system include inputs, processing
mechanism and outputs.
• The system components responsible for these
transformations are called the interfaces.
• Systems also contain boundaries that separate them from the
environment and each other. The boundaries between the
three terms are not always clear.
• The part of the outside world with which the system interacts
is called the system’s environment
 SYSTEMS TYPES
Simp Compl
Has few le Has many elements that are highly
components, and the ex
related and interconnected
relationships or interaction between
elements is uncomplicated and
straightforward
Ope Clos
n with the environment
Interacts No interaction with
ed the environment

Stab Dyna
le very little change over
Undergoes mic
Undergoes rapid and constant
time change over time

Adapti Non
veto change in response to
Is able adaptive
Not able to change in response to
change in the environment change in the environment

Perman Tempor
ent
Exists for a relatively long period of ary
Exists for only a relatively short
time period of time
 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND
STANDARD
•
 SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND
STANDARD
• System Performance Standard is a specific objective of the system.
• It can be computed by dividing the goals actually achieved by the total
of stated goal.

• Once standards are established system performance is measured

and compared with the standard.
• Variances from the standard are determinants of system
performance.
• A system variable is a quality or item that can be controlled by the
decision maker.
• A system parameter is a value or quantity that cannot be controlled.
 SYSTEM VARIABLES AND
PARAMETERS
• System variable

• A quantity or item that can be controlled by the

decision maker
• E.g. the price a company charges for a product
• System parameter

• A value or quantity that cannot be controlled by

the decision maker
• E.g., cost of a raw material
 SYSTEM MODELLING

• The real world is complex and dynamic. Therefore when

testing for different relationships and their effects,
models of systems are used which are simplified instead
of real life systems.
• Hence a model can be said to be an abstraction or an
approximation that is used to represent reality.
 TYPES OF SYSTEM MODEL

• There are for basic types of models: narrative, physical,

schematic and mathematical.
• Narrative model provides a verbal description of reality
• A physical model is a tangible representation of reality
often computed, designed or constructed.
• A schematic model is a graphic representation of reality
such as a graph, chart.
• A mathematical model is an arithmetic representation
 TYPES OF SYSTEM MODEL

Narrativ Physic
e al

Design of Full Adder Circuit

Recall from the truth table
for full adder circuit design

Schemat Mathemati
ic cal
 CONCLUSION

• In this module we have been able to

• Learn what data, information, knowledge, process and the components or elements
of information
• Also study about Transforming data into information and its measurement,
• critically considered the factors that affect the quality and use of data and
information
• Understood the concept of system and system modelling.

• Additional reading
• Book
• Information Systems Essentials, Stephen Haag and Maeve Cummings. Published by
McGraw-Hill Irwin
 SUMMARY
1. From an information systems perspective, we need to ask:
• Why are we storing data?
• What purpose does it serve?
• What (or whose) information needs will it satisfy?
• How will we know if these needs have been met?

2. From a technology perspective, we may ask:

• How can data be captured, stored, communicated and displayed?
• What devices might be used?
• What are their relevant characteristics?
3. From a systems development perspective, we need to consider:
• How might we design such a system?
• Who is going to do it and what tools or techniques will they need to
use?
• Exactly what type of data is to be stored?
• How long will it take, and what will it cost?
4. From a practical perspective, there is the need to:
• Establish and resource a project to construct a system to do the job.
 EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. Analyse the way in which information flows in and out of an

organization.
2. How are data, information, process and knowledge related?
3. Distinguish data from information and describe the
characteristics used to evaluate the quality of data
4. Identify the components of a system
5. How does a knowledge worker differ from other types of workers
6. Identify four basic types of models and explain how they are
used.
 TERM PAPER

• Write a term paper of at least 10 pages on the topics:

• The history of information communication technology and
• The history of Information System
 ASSIGNMENT

QUESTION 1
• Do some research to obtain the rate of growth of Internet example number of computers connected to the
Internet, number of Internet websites etc. Use plotting capability of your spreadsheet to produce a bar chart of
the growth over a number of years?.

QUESTION 2
• Go to an Internet search engine example yahoo and find any company of your choice. Write a report that
summarizes the size of the company, number of employees, its products and location of its headquarters and its
profit and loss for last year. Would you like to work with this company?

QUESTION 3
• Create a table that lists all the courses you are taking in the first column, other columns should be weeks of the
semester/quarter such as week1, week2. The body of the table should contain actual assignments quizzes,
exams for each course. Create the table into a database for the first-three weeks and print the result. Create
another table in the database for hardest classes for all the weeks and print result?. [For harmony of work we
can all use access database tool]
 ACTIVITY
• Submit at least five (5) page discuss on the
effective use of a mobile phone over a laptop or
vise versa.
• Visit the main website of the federal government of Nigeria and
discover a recent government policy statement or proposal for:
a. computers in schools
b. computers in health care
c. the promotion of e-commerce.
• Look at the websites of three airlines that operate from Nigeria.
Evaluate the quality of these sites by using them to gather
information and prices for a trip to, a West African Country and
Britain. What broad criteria will you use for your evaluation?
 REFERENCES/FURTHER
READINGS
• Book
• Information Systems Essentials, Stephen
Haag and Maeve Cummings. Published by
McGraw-Hill Irwin
• Principles of Information Systems A
Managerial Approach, Ralph M. Stair and
George W. Reynolds. © 2010 Course
Technology, Cengage Learning
THANK YOU