Question 1

The process of concentrating on what is said in an interview and noticing any nonverbal communication that takes place is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Engaged listening is the process of paying close attention to what is being said in an interview and also noticing any nonverbal communication that occurs. This helps the listener to fully understand the message being conveyed and to respond appropriately. The other choices, brainstorming and fact-finding, are not related to the process of listening during an interview. Sampling is a term used in statistics to refer to the process of selecting a representative subset from a larger population.

Question 2

A(n)_____ shows the timing of interactions between objects as they occur.

Accepted Answer

A sequence diagram shows the timing of interactions between objects as they occur, making it the best choice out of the given options. Timing diagrams are also used to show timing information, but they are more commonly associated with hardware systems. Class diagrams show the structure of a system and how the classes within that system relate to each other. Orientation diagrams do not have a defined meaning in the context of software engineering.

Question 3

When studying an information system,examples of actual documents should be collected using a process called _____.

Accepted Answer

Sampling involves selecting a representative subset of documents from a larger population, which can be a useful way to gain insight into the characteristics of the population as a whole without having to review every document. Stratification, randomization, and indexing are all related concepts but do not specifically involve the collection of documents for study.

Question 4

To evaluate _____,a systems analyst needs information about projected future volume for all outputs,inputs,and processes.

Accepted Answer

Scalability refers to the ability of a system to handle increased volume and complexity. In order to evaluate scalability, a systems analyst needs information about projected future volume for all outputs, inputs, and processes.

Question 5

In addition to direct evaluations,systems developers must identify and document indirect expenses that contribute to the _____.

Accepted Answer

Total cost of ownership (TCO) includes both direct and indirect expenses associated with developing and maintaining a system, and is an important consideration in decision-making for systems development projects. Business process modeling notation (BPMN), functional decomposition diagrams (FDD), and Rapid Economic Justification (REJ) are all methods or tools that may be used in the systems development process, but do not directly relate to identifying and documenting indirect expenses.

Question 6

If an interviewee gives only short or incomplete responses to open-ended questions,a systems analyst should _____.

Accepted Answer

If an interviewee gives only short or incomplete responses to open-ended questions, a systems analyst should switch to closed-ended questions to get more specific responses. Closed-ended questions are designed to elicit a specific answer or a limited range of answers, and can help to stimulate the interviewee's thinking process. Continuing to use open-ended questions may not generate the desired information, while rudely concluding the meeting is unprofessional and unlikely to yield any helpful results. Providing supportive materials may be helpful, but switching to closed-ended questions is the most effective approach in this scenario.

Question 7

_____ can help a systems analyst understand how the current system is supposed to work.

Accepted Answer

Document review involves studying existing documents and information to understand the current system. This can help the analyst gain insight into how the system is supposed to work and identify areas for improvement. Brainstorming, systematic sampling, and productivity software may also be helpful in the analysis process, but they do not specifically address understanding how the current system operates.

Question 8

In a(n)_____ structure,which usually is based on interpersonal relationships,some people have more influence or knowledge than appears on an organization chart.

Accepted Answer

An informal structure is based on social or interpersonal relationships rather than formal roles or job titles. In this kind of structure, people may have more or less influence than their official position suggests, based on factors like their personal connections, skills, or knowledge.

Question 9

When preparing a representative sample from a list of 200 customers who complained about errors in their statements,a _____ could ensure the sample is balanced geographically by selecting five customers from each of four zip codes.

Accepted Answer

A stratified sample involves dividing the population into subgroups, or strata, based on a specific characteristic (in this case, geographic location). By selecting five customers from each of the four zip codes, the sample will be more representative of the overall population and ensure that the sample is balanced geographically.

Question 10

The term "_____" refers to a system's ability to handle increased business volume and transactions in the future.

Accepted Answer

Scalability refers to the capability of a system to handle an increase in business volume and transactions in the future. It is an essential feature that helps businesses to grow their operations without interrupting the performance of their systems. Reliability refers to the ability of a system to function consistently and without failures, compatibility is the capability of a product or system to work with others without any conflicts or issues, and applicability refers to the suitability of a product or system to apply to a particular situation or need.

Question 11

A common tool for showing the distribution of a questionnaire or sampling results is a vertical bar chart called a _____.

Accepted Answer

A vertical bar chart used for showing questionnaire or sampling results is called a histogram. A flowchart is used to represent a process or workflow. A tree map is a type of visualization used for hierarchical data. A streamgraph is used for showing changes in data over time. Therefore, the best choice is B, histogram.

Question 12

In an interview,_____ limit or restrict the response.

Accepted Answer

Closed-ended questions limit the response and require a brief and specific answer. The other options may provide more information or bias the response.

Question 13

When phrasing interview questions,a systems analyst should avoid _____ that suggest or favor a particular reply.

Accepted Answer

Leading questions suggest or favor a particular reply and can bias the respondent's answer. Systems analysts should avoid using leading questions and use neutral and objective questions instead. Range-of-response questions offer a range of options that respondents can choose from, open-ended questions let respondents provide their own answers, and closed-ended questions offer specific response options. While it is important to use a mix of all three types of questions, none of these options specifically suggest or favor a particular reply like leading questions do.

Question 14

A(n)_____ is a characteristic or feature that must be included in an information system to satisfy business needs and be acceptable to users.

Accepted Answer

A system requirement is a characteristic or feature that must be included in an information system to meet business needs and be acceptable to users. It specifies what the system must do, how it should behave or perform, and any constraints or limitations that must be considered during development. A system requirement is an essential part of the requirements analysis process and is necessary for ensuring that the system meets the needs of its stakeholders.

Question 15

When preparing a representative sample from a list of 200 customers who complained about errors in their statements,a _____ might select every tenth customer for review.

Accepted Answer

A systematic sample is when a pattern is used to select the sample, such as selecting every tenth customer in this case. This method ensures that the sample is representative and avoids bias. A stratified sample involves dividing the population into different subgroups and selecting a sample from each subgroup, which may not be necessary in this case. A random sample involves selecting customers at random, which may not provide an accurate representation of the population. A comprehensive sample involves examining the entire population, which may not be feasible or necessary.

Question 16

When preparing a representative sample from a list of 200 customers who complained about errors in their statements,a _____ might select any 20 customers.

Accepted Answer

A random sample is the best choice as it ensures that each customer in the list has an equal chance of being selected for the sample, minimizing the potential for bias in the selection process. A systematic sample selects a sample based on a specific interval in the list, which could potentially overlook certain customers. A stratified sample divides the list into categories and selects a proportionate amount from each category, which may not be necessary or appropriate for this particular study. A comprehensive sample would entail selecting all 200 customers, which may not be feasible or necessary for the purposes of the study.

Question 17

Supporters of neutral locations for interviews believe that it _____.

Accepted Answer

Neutral locations like conference rooms or meeting spaces can reduce interruptions and distractions, allowing for better concentration during the interview. They also help maintain a professional atmosphere and keep the focus on the interview rather than the interviewee's personal surroundings.

Question 18

In an interview,_____ are questions that ask a person to evaluate something by providing limited answers to specific responses or on a numeric scale.

Accepted Answer

Range-of-response questions typically ask for quantitative assessments or evaluations on a scale (e.g. "On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your job?"). They provide limited responses or options for the interviewee to choose from. Open-ended questions allow for more in-depth and varied responses, factual questions seek specific information, and leading questions can influence or bias the interviewee's response.

Question 19

In an interview,_____ encourage spontaneous and unstructured responses.

Accepted Answer

Open-ended questions do not limit the response options and encourage the interviewee to provide more detailed and free-flowing answers. Closed-ended questions, on the other hand, limit the response options to a yes or no or other predetermined answer choices. Leading questions suggest a particular answer and may influence the interviewee's response. Range-of-response questions provide answer choices within a specific range or category, but still allow for some flexibility in the response.

Question 20

_____ is a planned meeting during which a systems analyst obtains information from another person.

Accepted Answer

An interview is a planned meeting during which a systems analyst obtains information from another person. Surveys, sampling, and research are other methods of obtaining information, but they do not involve direct interaction with another person.

Quiz 4: Requirements Engineering