1
CMIS 351 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 |
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS Q&A |
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
This comprehensive study guide is designed for students preparing for the CMIS
351 Management Information Systems final examination at Athabasca University.
The final exam is a 25% component of the course evaluation and requires a
minimum score of 50% to pass. This guide covers all twelve lessons of the course,
from information systems fundamentals to information security and privacy. The
questions and detailed rationales are structured to reinforce your understanding of
core MIS concepts, including hardware and software, cloud computing, databases,
business processes, e-commerce, information systems projects, governance and
ethics, and security. By working through these questions systematically, you can
identify areas needing further review and maximize your exam readiness.
Table of Contents
1. Information Systems and You
2. Business Processes and Decision Making
3. Productivity, Innovation, and Strategy
4. Database and Content Management
5. Decision Making and Business Intelligence
6. Competitive Advantage and Business Processes
7. Hardware and Software
8. The Cloud
9. Social Networking, E-commerce, and the Web
10. Acquiring Information Systems Through Projects
11. Structure, Governance, and Ethics
12. Managing Information Security and Privacy
, 2
Question 1: Which of the following best defines an information system (IS)?
A) A collection of hardware only used to store data
B) An integrated set of components for collecting, storing, processing, and
delivering information to support decision-making and operations in an
organization
C) A network of computers connected to the internet
D) Software programs installed on personal computers
Correct Answer: B
An information system encompasses more than just technology—it includes people,
processes, and technology working together. It integrates hardware, software,
data, people, and processes to transform raw data into actionable information that
helps organizations achieve their strategic objectives. While databases and
networks are components of IS, they are not the complete definition.
Question 2: What is the primary role of strategic information systems planning?
A) To reduce IT department budgets
B) To align IS initiatives with organizational business strategy and competitive
advantage
C) To eliminate the need for IT staff
D) To focus solely on cost reduction without considering business outcomes
Correct Answer: B
Strategic IS planning ensures that information technology investments directly
support the organization's business goals and create competitive advantage. It is
not merely about cost reduction or eliminating staff, but about leveraging
technology to achieve strategic objectives.
Question 3: What are the five components of an information system?
A) Hardware, software, data, procedures, and people
B) Hardware, software, networks, databases, and users
C) Input, processing, output, storage, and feedback
D) Computers, servers, routers, switches, and firewalls
, 3
Correct Answer: A
The five components of an information system are hardware, software, data,
procedures, and people. These components work together to collect, process, store,
and disseminate information. Option B includes networks and databases, which
are part of hardware and software. Option C describes the basic functions of a
computer. Option D lists only hardware components.
Question 4: What is the difference between data and information?
A) Data is processed; information is raw facts
B) Data is raw facts; information is processed data that is meaningful
C) They are the same thing
D) Data is only numbers; information is only text
Correct Answer: B
Data consists of raw, unprocessed facts, while information is data that has been
processed, organized, and given context to be meaningful and useful for decision-
making. Option A reverses the definitions. Option C is incorrect. Option D is an
incorrect generalization.
Question 5: What is Moore's Law?
A) The price of integrated circuits doubles every 18 months
B) The integrated circuit price halves every 18 months, or functionality doubles for
the same cost
C) The number of transistors on a chip doubles every 24 months
D) The speed of computers doubles every 10 years
Correct Answer: B
Moore's Law states that the integrated circuit price halves every 18 months, or
functionality doubles for the same cost. This has driven the rapid advancement of
computing power and the proliferation of technology in business and society.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a business process?
A) To generate revenue
B) To transform inputs into outputs that are of value to customers
, 4
C) To reduce costs
D) To increase employee satisfaction
Correct Answer: B
A business process is a network of activities that transforms inputs into outputs of
greater value. While revenue, cost reduction, and satisfaction may be outcomes,
the fundamental purpose is value creation through transformation.
Question 7: What is the difference between effective and efficient?
A) Effective means doing things right; efficient means doing the right things
B) Effective means doing the right things; efficient means doing things right
C) They are the same
D) Effective is for managers; efficient is for workers
Correct Answer: B
Effectiveness is about achieving organizational goals (doing the right things),
while efficiency is about using resources wisely (doing things right). Option A
reverses the definitions. Option C is incorrect. Option D is incorrect.
Question 8: What is the role of information systems in decision making?
A) To replace human decision makers
B) To provide timely, accurate, and relevant information to support decision-
making at all levels
C) To automate all decisions
D) To reduce the need for management
Correct Answer: B
Information systems support decision-making by providing timely, accurate, and
relevant information to managers at operational, managerial, and strategic levels.
They do not replace human judgment or automate all decisions.
Question 9: What is a competitive strategy?
A) A plan for how an organization will compete in its market
B) A plan for reducing costs
CMIS 351 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 |
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS Q&A |
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
This comprehensive study guide is designed for students preparing for the CMIS
351 Management Information Systems final examination at Athabasca University.
The final exam is a 25% component of the course evaluation and requires a
minimum score of 50% to pass. This guide covers all twelve lessons of the course,
from information systems fundamentals to information security and privacy. The
questions and detailed rationales are structured to reinforce your understanding of
core MIS concepts, including hardware and software, cloud computing, databases,
business processes, e-commerce, information systems projects, governance and
ethics, and security. By working through these questions systematically, you can
identify areas needing further review and maximize your exam readiness.
Table of Contents
1. Information Systems and You
2. Business Processes and Decision Making
3. Productivity, Innovation, and Strategy
4. Database and Content Management
5. Decision Making and Business Intelligence
6. Competitive Advantage and Business Processes
7. Hardware and Software
8. The Cloud
9. Social Networking, E-commerce, and the Web
10. Acquiring Information Systems Through Projects
11. Structure, Governance, and Ethics
12. Managing Information Security and Privacy
, 2
Question 1: Which of the following best defines an information system (IS)?
A) A collection of hardware only used to store data
B) An integrated set of components for collecting, storing, processing, and
delivering information to support decision-making and operations in an
organization
C) A network of computers connected to the internet
D) Software programs installed on personal computers
Correct Answer: B
An information system encompasses more than just technology—it includes people,
processes, and technology working together. It integrates hardware, software,
data, people, and processes to transform raw data into actionable information that
helps organizations achieve their strategic objectives. While databases and
networks are components of IS, they are not the complete definition.
Question 2: What is the primary role of strategic information systems planning?
A) To reduce IT department budgets
B) To align IS initiatives with organizational business strategy and competitive
advantage
C) To eliminate the need for IT staff
D) To focus solely on cost reduction without considering business outcomes
Correct Answer: B
Strategic IS planning ensures that information technology investments directly
support the organization's business goals and create competitive advantage. It is
not merely about cost reduction or eliminating staff, but about leveraging
technology to achieve strategic objectives.
Question 3: What are the five components of an information system?
A) Hardware, software, data, procedures, and people
B) Hardware, software, networks, databases, and users
C) Input, processing, output, storage, and feedback
D) Computers, servers, routers, switches, and firewalls
, 3
Correct Answer: A
The five components of an information system are hardware, software, data,
procedures, and people. These components work together to collect, process, store,
and disseminate information. Option B includes networks and databases, which
are part of hardware and software. Option C describes the basic functions of a
computer. Option D lists only hardware components.
Question 4: What is the difference between data and information?
A) Data is processed; information is raw facts
B) Data is raw facts; information is processed data that is meaningful
C) They are the same thing
D) Data is only numbers; information is only text
Correct Answer: B
Data consists of raw, unprocessed facts, while information is data that has been
processed, organized, and given context to be meaningful and useful for decision-
making. Option A reverses the definitions. Option C is incorrect. Option D is an
incorrect generalization.
Question 5: What is Moore's Law?
A) The price of integrated circuits doubles every 18 months
B) The integrated circuit price halves every 18 months, or functionality doubles for
the same cost
C) The number of transistors on a chip doubles every 24 months
D) The speed of computers doubles every 10 years
Correct Answer: B
Moore's Law states that the integrated circuit price halves every 18 months, or
functionality doubles for the same cost. This has driven the rapid advancement of
computing power and the proliferation of technology in business and society.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a business process?
A) To generate revenue
B) To transform inputs into outputs that are of value to customers
, 4
C) To reduce costs
D) To increase employee satisfaction
Correct Answer: B
A business process is a network of activities that transforms inputs into outputs of
greater value. While revenue, cost reduction, and satisfaction may be outcomes,
the fundamental purpose is value creation through transformation.
Question 7: What is the difference between effective and efficient?
A) Effective means doing things right; efficient means doing the right things
B) Effective means doing the right things; efficient means doing things right
C) They are the same
D) Effective is for managers; efficient is for workers
Correct Answer: B
Effectiveness is about achieving organizational goals (doing the right things),
while efficiency is about using resources wisely (doing things right). Option A
reverses the definitions. Option C is incorrect. Option D is incorrect.
Question 8: What is the role of information systems in decision making?
A) To replace human decision makers
B) To provide timely, accurate, and relevant information to support decision-
making at all levels
C) To automate all decisions
D) To reduce the need for management
Correct Answer: B
Information systems support decision-making by providing timely, accurate, and
relevant information to managers at operational, managerial, and strategic levels.
They do not replace human judgment or automate all decisions.
Question 9: What is a competitive strategy?
A) A plan for how an organization will compete in its market
B) A plan for reducing costs
