COB 204 Exam 1 (Practice) JMU
Questions and All Correct Answers
2025-2026 Updated.
Data - Answer Raw facts, no context, just numbers and text, pictures, audio; unprocessed
information
Information - Answer Data with context, processed data, value-added to data (summarized,
organized, analyzed)
Processing of Data - Answer Data -> Information -> Knowledge
What does a computer do? - Answer The information processing cycle,
Collects data for processing to produce information (output)
Components of a CBIS (Computer Based Information System) - Answer Hardware, Software,
Database, Network, Procedures, People
Information Technology (IT) - Answer Refers to any computer-based tool that people use to
work with information and to support the information and information-processing needs of an
organization.
Information System (IS) - Answer Collects, processes, stores, analyzes, and dissemiates
information for a specific purpose
Major Capabilities of Information Systems - Answer 1. Perform high-speed, high-volume
numerical computations
2. Provide fast, accurate communication and collaboration within and among organizations
3. Store huge amounts of information in an easy-to-access, yet small space.
4. Allow quick and inexpensive access to vast amounts of information, worldwide.
5. Interpret vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
6. Automate both semiautomatic business processes and manual tasks.
,Inter-Organizational Information System (IOS) - Answer Supports many inter-organizational
operations
(ex: Supply Chain management (SCM), Electronic commerce systems (e-commerce)
Why should I study IS? - Answer We are always connected (homo conexus), using
technology, in our daily routines.
IT is making our world... - Answer SMALLER, enabling more and more people to
communicate, collaborate, and compete ; thereby leveling the digital playing field.
What is an informed user? - Answer A person is knowledgeable about IS and IT.
Reasons to be an informed user: - Answer 1. Benefit more from organization IT applications
because I will understand what's "behind" those applications; on a computer screen.
2. Be in a position to enhance the quality of your organization's IT applications with input.
3. Will quickly be in a position to recommend-and perhaps select- the IT applications that your
organization will use.
4. Keep you abreast of both new information technologies rapid developments in existing
technology. Remaining "on top of things" will help you anticipate the impacts that "new and
improved" technology will have on your organization and to make recommendations on the
adoption and use of these technologies.
5. Understanding of how IT can improve your organization's performance and teamwork as well
as your own productivity.
6. Help with using IT when starting your own business.
Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Answer The executive who is in charge of the IS function
-Career opportunities in IS are strong and are projected to remain strong over the next 10 years.
Managing Information Resources is a difficult and complex task; why? - Answer 1. IS have
enormous strategic value to organizations; firms rely on them so heavily that, in some cases,
when these systems are nor working (even for a short time), the firm cannot function ("being
hostage to IS").
2. IS are very expensive to operate, acquire, and maintain.
3. The evolution of the management IS (MIS) function within the organization.
, Traditional Functions of the MIS department - Answer Managing systems development and
system project management; managing computer operations, including the computer center;
staffing, training, and developing IS skill; providing technical services; infrastructure planning,
development, and control
NEW (consultative) functions of the MIS department - Answer Initiating and designing
specific strategic information systems; incorporating the internet and electronic commerce into
the business; managing system integration including the internet, intranets, extranets;
educating the MIS staff about business; partnering with business-unit executive; managing
outsourcing; proactively using business and technical knowledge to seed innovative ideas about
IT; creating business alliances with business partners.
Purpose of Information Systems - Answer Getting the right information to the right people,
at the right time, in the right amount, in the right format.
Data Items - Answer an elementary description of things, events, activities, and transactions
that are recorded, classified, and stored but are not organized to convey any specific meaning.
Knowledge - Answer Consists of data and or information that have been organized and
processed to convey understanding, experience, accumulated learning, and expertise as they
apply to a current business problem
Computer-Based Information System (CBIS) - Answer an IS that uses computer technology to
perform some or all of its intended tasks
Hardware - Answer Devices; processor, monitor, keyboard, printer. These devices, together,
accept, process, and display data and information
Software - Answer A program or collection of programs that enable the hardware to process
data
Network - Answer A connecting system (wire or wireless) that permits different computers
to share resources
Procedures - Answer Instructions for combining the above components to process
information and generate the desired output
Questions and All Correct Answers
2025-2026 Updated.
Data - Answer Raw facts, no context, just numbers and text, pictures, audio; unprocessed
information
Information - Answer Data with context, processed data, value-added to data (summarized,
organized, analyzed)
Processing of Data - Answer Data -> Information -> Knowledge
What does a computer do? - Answer The information processing cycle,
Collects data for processing to produce information (output)
Components of a CBIS (Computer Based Information System) - Answer Hardware, Software,
Database, Network, Procedures, People
Information Technology (IT) - Answer Refers to any computer-based tool that people use to
work with information and to support the information and information-processing needs of an
organization.
Information System (IS) - Answer Collects, processes, stores, analyzes, and dissemiates
information for a specific purpose
Major Capabilities of Information Systems - Answer 1. Perform high-speed, high-volume
numerical computations
2. Provide fast, accurate communication and collaboration within and among organizations
3. Store huge amounts of information in an easy-to-access, yet small space.
4. Allow quick and inexpensive access to vast amounts of information, worldwide.
5. Interpret vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently.
6. Automate both semiautomatic business processes and manual tasks.
,Inter-Organizational Information System (IOS) - Answer Supports many inter-organizational
operations
(ex: Supply Chain management (SCM), Electronic commerce systems (e-commerce)
Why should I study IS? - Answer We are always connected (homo conexus), using
technology, in our daily routines.
IT is making our world... - Answer SMALLER, enabling more and more people to
communicate, collaborate, and compete ; thereby leveling the digital playing field.
What is an informed user? - Answer A person is knowledgeable about IS and IT.
Reasons to be an informed user: - Answer 1. Benefit more from organization IT applications
because I will understand what's "behind" those applications; on a computer screen.
2. Be in a position to enhance the quality of your organization's IT applications with input.
3. Will quickly be in a position to recommend-and perhaps select- the IT applications that your
organization will use.
4. Keep you abreast of both new information technologies rapid developments in existing
technology. Remaining "on top of things" will help you anticipate the impacts that "new and
improved" technology will have on your organization and to make recommendations on the
adoption and use of these technologies.
5. Understanding of how IT can improve your organization's performance and teamwork as well
as your own productivity.
6. Help with using IT when starting your own business.
Chief Information Officer (CIO) - Answer The executive who is in charge of the IS function
-Career opportunities in IS are strong and are projected to remain strong over the next 10 years.
Managing Information Resources is a difficult and complex task; why? - Answer 1. IS have
enormous strategic value to organizations; firms rely on them so heavily that, in some cases,
when these systems are nor working (even for a short time), the firm cannot function ("being
hostage to IS").
2. IS are very expensive to operate, acquire, and maintain.
3. The evolution of the management IS (MIS) function within the organization.
, Traditional Functions of the MIS department - Answer Managing systems development and
system project management; managing computer operations, including the computer center;
staffing, training, and developing IS skill; providing technical services; infrastructure planning,
development, and control
NEW (consultative) functions of the MIS department - Answer Initiating and designing
specific strategic information systems; incorporating the internet and electronic commerce into
the business; managing system integration including the internet, intranets, extranets;
educating the MIS staff about business; partnering with business-unit executive; managing
outsourcing; proactively using business and technical knowledge to seed innovative ideas about
IT; creating business alliances with business partners.
Purpose of Information Systems - Answer Getting the right information to the right people,
at the right time, in the right amount, in the right format.
Data Items - Answer an elementary description of things, events, activities, and transactions
that are recorded, classified, and stored but are not organized to convey any specific meaning.
Knowledge - Answer Consists of data and or information that have been organized and
processed to convey understanding, experience, accumulated learning, and expertise as they
apply to a current business problem
Computer-Based Information System (CBIS) - Answer an IS that uses computer technology to
perform some or all of its intended tasks
Hardware - Answer Devices; processor, monitor, keyboard, printer. These devices, together,
accept, process, and display data and information
Software - Answer A program or collection of programs that enable the hardware to process
data
Network - Answer A connecting system (wire or wireless) that permits different computers
to share resources
Procedures - Answer Instructions for combining the above components to process
information and generate the desired output
