CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 System Design and Model

System modelling is the process of developing an abstract representation of a

system, which helps understand the various components and interactions within a

system. The design and development of a Student Study Management System

(SSMS) is a complex and critical process, as it involves creating a comprehensive

software solution to support various aspects of educational institutions.

3.1.1 SSMS Model

Models help the analyst to understand the functionality of the system. Student

Study Management System (SSMS) is a web-based platform which is designed and

modelled with standard tools of software engineering. The model adopted for this

system is the Iterative model.

Fig 1. SSMS Model

3.1.2 Phases of SSMS Model

The Phases of the SSMS model are:

Requirements Phase: In this initial phase, a thorough understanding of the

requirements and goals of the SSMS is established. The requirements phase

includes:

 Conducting interviews and surveys with students to gather user

requirements.
  Document the features and functionalities expected from the system,

such as study material management, progress tracking, and any specific

requirements unique to the educational context.

Analysis & Design Phase: The system design phase translates the requirements

into a concrete plan based on the gathered requirements. It involves creating the

system architecture and specifying the components and modules of the SSMS. The

design phase includes:

 Architectural design: Defining the system's structure, components,

and relationships.

 Database design: Designing the database schema to store required

student-study related information.

 User interface design: Creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface

for students.

Implementation Phase: The Implementation phase is where the actual

programming and coding of the SSMS take place. Skilled software developers and

programmers are responsible for creating a system according to the design

specifications. Key activities in the implementation phase include:

 Writing code to implement the system's functionalities.

 Developing the database management system.

 Integrating security measures to protect student data.

Testing Phase: Before deploying the SSMS, rigorous testing is conducted to

ensure that it functions correctly and meets the defined requirements. The testing

phase includes:

 Unit testing: Testing individual components and modules.

 Integration testing: Ensuring that different parts of the system work

together as intended.

 User acceptance testing: Letting end-users evaluate the system for

usability and functionality.

Evaluation Phase: Gather feedback from users to understand their experiences

with the system. The evaluation phase includes:

 Conduct feedback sessions regarding usability, functionality, and any

potential issues.

 Analyze the system’s performance in terms of responsiveness,

scalability, and reliability.

 Evaluate the impact and efficiency of the system in facilitating

effective study management.

3.2 Use Case Diagram

A use case is described in terms of a sequence of interactions between some actors

and the system by which the system provides a service to the actors. Each use case

then captures a piece of functional requirements for some users. All the use case

together describes the overall functional requirements of the system. The first step

in requirement capture is to capture requirements as use cases. In the Student Study

Management System there are two (2) actors, which are;

 Students

 Admin

Fig 2. All Actors

Students
All students in the student study management system can;

 Sign up

 Log in
  Interact with the system

 Log out

Fig 3. Student Use Case Diagram

Admin
Admin can do the following tasks;

 Log in

 Modify the structure of webpages

 Manage user access

 Delete, add & modify database

 Upload course materials & quizzes

 Monitor system
  Log out

Fig 4. Admin Use Case Diagram

3.3 Student Study Management System Workflow

Student study management system workflow refers to the sequence of steps or

processes that students follow to navigate and interact with the system throughout

their academic journey.

Fig 5. Student Study Management System Workflow

3.4 Database Design and Schema

Designing the database and schema for a Student Study Management System

(SSMS) involves structuring the database to efficiently store, manage, and retrieve
various types of student-related data. The database schema outlines the structure of

the database, including tables, relationships, and constraints. Below is an outline of

the database design for an SSMS:

3.4.1 Entities in the Database Schema:

 Students: Contains personal information, contact details, enrollment

status, academic history, and associated data unique to each student.

 Courses and Curriculum: Stores information related to courses,

curriculum details, class schedules, and course materials.

Fig 6. Database Schema for Course and Curriculum

  Enrollment and Registration: Records related to student enrollment,

course registrations, academic advising, and academic progression.

Fig 7. Database Schema for Enrollment and Registration

3.4.2 Database Tables and Relationships:

 Students Table: Includes fields like UserID (Primary Key), Name,

Email Address, Username, etc.

 Courses Table: Contains CourseID (Primary Key), Course Name,

Schedule, and other related course details.

  Enrollment Table: Establishes a relationship between Students and

Courses using foreign keys (UserID, CourseID) to represent which

students are enrolled in which courses.

3.4.3 Relationships Between Tables:

 Students are related to Courses through the Enrollment table,

representing which students are enrolled in which courses.

3.4.4 Data Integrity and Constraints:

 Primary Keys: Each table has a primary key (e.g., UserID, CourseID)

to uniquely identify records.

 Foreign Keys: Used to establish relationships between tables. For

instance, the UserID in the Enrollment table references the Students

table.

 Constraints: Implementing constraints like unique constraints, not-

null constraints, and data type constraints to ensure data accuracy and

consistency.

3.4.5 Normalization and Optimization:

The database schema is designed using normalization techniques to minimize

redundancy and optimize data storage. This involves breaking data into smaller,

related tables to eliminate data redundancy and improve efficiency.

3.5 Choice of Technology
In the development of a Student Study Management System, various technologies

are commonly used to create a dynamic, interactive, and data-driven web

application. The following development tools were chosen for this study.

1. Programming Languages: Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) &

JavaScript

2. Database Management System: Structured Query Language (SQL)

3. Content Management System: WordPress

3.5.1 PHP Hypertext Preprocessor

The PHP Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is a recursive acronym for “PHP:

Hypertext Preprocessor”. It is a programming language that allows web developers

to create dynamic content that interacts with databases. PHP is a server-side

scripting language that is embedded in HTML. It is used to manage dynamic

content, databases, session tracking, and even build commerce sites. It is integrated

with several popular databases, including MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL

Server.

3.5.2 JavaScript
JavaScript is a versatile and widely- used programming language that primarily

runs in web browsers, enabling interactive and dynamic content on websites. It is a

key component of web development and plays a crucial role in enhancing the user

experience by adding interactivity, responsiveness, and dynamic behavior to web

pages.

3.5.3 Structured Query Language

Structured Query Language is a domain-specific language used in programming

and designed for managing and manipulating relational databases. SQL is used to

interact with relational database management systems (RDBMS) like MySQL,

Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and others.

3.5.4 WordPress
WordPress is a popular and open-source content management system (CMS) that

empowers users to build and manage websites easily. It was created as a tool to

publish blogs but has evolved to support publishing other web content, including

more traditional websites, mailing lists and internet forum, media galleries,

membership sites, learning management system and online stores.

3.6 Features and Functionality of SSMS

1. Course Guidance: The SSMS provides personalized course

recommendations based on the student's academic program, year of study,

and individual progress. To achieve this, the system will incorporate a

 database of all available courses and their associated program requirements.

Upon login, students will be required to input their program and year of

study. The system will then generate a list of courses that the student needs

to register for to fulfill their program requirements. The SSMS will also

track the student's progress and adjust the recommendations accordingly.

This feature ensures that students register for the right courses, plan their

studies effectively, and stay on track to graduate on time.

2. Past Questions Database: The SSMS provide a comprehensive database of

past examination questions for various courses. This feature enables students

to practice for exams effectively, gain familiarity with exam formats and

types of questions that may be asked, and identify areas of improvement.

3. Personalized Dashboard: The SSMS have a personalized dashboard for

each student, where they can view their course recommendations, progress,

and performance. The dashboard will also display upcoming assignments,

exams, and deadlines, ensuring that students stay on track with their studies.

This feature gives students a comprehensive overview of their academic

journey, enables them to plan effectively, and helps them stay organized and

motivated.

4. User Management: The SSMS have a user management feature that allows

administrators to manage user accounts, including creating new accounts,

 deleting accounts, and modifying access rights. This feature ensures that

only authorized individuals have access to the platform, and that the system

is secure and well-maintained.

3.7 Security and Privacy Measures

Security and privacy are paramount in the development and operation of a Student

Study Management System (SSMS) to safeguard sensitive student information and

maintain user trust. Implementing robust security and privacy measures is

essential. Here are key considerations:

3.7.1 Data Encryption:

 Data in Transit: Use secure communication protocols (e.g., HTTPS)

to encrypt data as it travels between the user's device and the server to

prevent eavesdropping.

 Data at Rest: Encrypt stored data to protect it from unauthorized

access, especially sensitive information like student records.

3.7.2 Access Control:

 Role-Based Access Control: Implement role-based access control

(RBAC) to ensure that users can only access the data and features

relevant to their roles (students, teachers, administrators, parents).

 Strong Authentication: Enforce strong password policies, two-factor

authentication, and password reset procedures to secure user accounts.

3.7.3 Data Backups:

 Regular Backups: Perform regular data backups and ensure disaster

recovery procedures are in place to prevent data loss.

3.7.4 Vulnerability Management:

 Regular Scanning: Conduct regular vulnerability scans and patch

system vulnerabilities to reduce the attack surface.