UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Unit 10: Introduction to Database Systems
Level: 2
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners will investigate the use of database systems in organisations and how they
support business processes. They will use database software to create and test a
relational database to support the decision-making process.
Unit introduction
Database systems play an important role in today’s business processes. Without
databases storing and interrogating information for decision-making, organisations
would not be as efficient. Database systems provide different ways for users to access
data, such as sorting the data to provide answers to specific queries, and organising the
data into reports for easy interpretation.
In this unit, you will explore how different organisations use database systems, and
examine how the information databases provide can assist the decision-making process.
You will carry out data manipulations, design and develop a database system using a
database application, and review your database system to ensure that it meets the
user requirements.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Understand the purpose and features of database systems in organisations
B Develop a relational database system to meet user requirements
C Review the effectiveness of the database system in line with user requirements.
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Summary of unit
Learning aim Key content areas Assessment approach
A Understand the A1 Database role,
purpose and features structure and A written report that
of database systems relationships examines the purpose,
in organisations function, type, tools and
A2 Types of database
systems techniques used in
database systems.
A3 Tools and techniques
B Develop a relational B1 Design and
database system to development of a
meet user requirements database system Design and develop a
B2 Data manipulation database system to meet
B3 Factors affecting the user requirements.
design of a database
system
C Review the effectiveness C1 Review of the
of the database system effectiveness of the A written report that
in line with user database system evaluates the effectiveness
requirements of the system to meet user
requirements.
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Content
Learning aim A: Understand the purpose and features of database systems
in organisations
Features of database systems and their role in supporting decision making.
A1 Database role, structure and relationships
Purpose and role of database system:
• Purpose of a database, e.g. management and organisation of data:
o centralised data storage
o reduces data redundancy
o reduces updating errors
o increased consistency
o improved data integrity
o improved data access and reporting
o up to date information
o automated features
o improved data security
o reduced costs, e.g. data entry, storage.
• Organise data:
o database structure including data, tables, records, rows/tuples
o relationships including one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many
o entity relationship, primary key, foreign key, secondary key.
• Store and extract information:
o data management, e.g. select, input, edit, delete
o perform calculations, e.g. analysing financial data, invoice generation
o presentation of information, e.g. queries, reports.
• Data accuracy, compatibility, consistency, and security.
A2 Types of database systems
Type, features and functions of databases that support business processes.
• Centralised database, e.g. payroll, inventory/stock control, customer/supplier/
patients, scheduling, data analysis, financial management/accounts.
• Personal database, e.g. address book, birthdays, passwords.
• Relational Database/Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS),
e.g. booking system, patient records.
A3 Tools and techniques
The function of different software tools and techniques used in database systems.
• Database functions including retrieve data, update data, modify data, edit data,
delete data, search for data, validation and verification rules, index,
forms/subforms, sorts, queries, export/ import data.
• Entity Relationship Model (ERD) including entities, attributes, relationships.
• Structured Query Language (SQL), manipulate and retrieve data.
• Reducing redundancy, e.g. normalisation.
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Learning aim B: Develop a relational database system to meet user
requirements
B1 Design and development of a database system
• Purpose and requirements.
• Constraints.
• Table relationship and structure to include table and field properties,
primary key, foreign key.
• Data/filed types, size and formats including text, number/numeric,
yes/no or true/false date/time, currency.
• Verification and validation.
• Query structure to include table, fields, criteria.
• Data output design including screen designs (input, output).
B2 Data manipulation
Purpose and techniques used in the manipulation of data.
• Report layout including titles, page layout, colours, field selection, date/time,
grouping, introductions and images.
• Sorting records using a single field (alphabetically or numerically, ascending and
descending) and sort records using multiple fields.
• Creating queries, e.g. with single criteria on one or two fields using relational
operators, queries with multiple criteria using at least two tables, making use
of logical operators, e.g. AND, OR, NOT, and wildcards.
• Automation, security and usability, e.g. macros, security to protect the database,
provide onscreen user navigation and instructions.
B3 Factors affecting the design of a database system
• Functionality of the database system.
• User friendly interface and functions.
• Security.
• Compatibility with other software/systems.
• Scalability and cost.
Learning aim C: Review the effectiveness of the database system in line
with user requirements
C1 Review of the effectiveness of the database system
Considerations when reviewing the success of the database system and how it meets the
user requirements.
• Purpose and requirements.
• Constraints.
• Fitness for purpose.
• Use of database software tools and techniques
• Strengths and improvements.
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Assessment criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
Learning aim A: Understand the purpose and
features of database systems in organisations A.D1 Analyse how
A.P1 Identify how database A.M1 Describe how database systems
systems support and database systems support and impact
impact the decision- support and impact the decision-making
making process. the decision-making process.
process.
Learning aim B: Develop a relational database system
to meet user requirements
B.P2 Produce a basic B.M2 Produce a detailed
design for a relational design for a B.D2 Produce a
database. relational database. comprehensive
B.P3 Demonstrate the use B.M3 Demonstrate the design and develop
of database tools and use of a range of an effective
techniques to develop database tools database system
a basic database and techniques to demonstrating an
system develop a detailed awareness of user
demonstrating an database system requirements.
awareness of some demonstrating an
user requirements. awareness of user
requirements.
Learning aim C: Review the effectiveness of the
database system in line with user requirements C.D3 Evaluate the
C.P4 Describe the ways in C.M4 Assess the effectiveness of the
which the database effectiveness of the database software
software tools and database software tools and techniques
techniques are used tools and techniques used to meet user
to meet user used to meet user requirements.
requirements. requirements.
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Essential information for assignments
The recommended structure of assessment is shown in the unit summary, along with
suitable forms of evidence. Section 6 Internal assessment gives information on setting
assignments and there is also further information on our website.
There is a suggested maximum number of three summative assignments for this unit.
The relationship of the learning aims and criteria is:
Learning aim: A (A.P1, A.M1, A.D1)
Learning aim: B (B.P2, B.P3, B.M2, B.M3, B.D2)
Learning aim: C (C.P4, C.M4, C.D3)
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Further information for teachers and assessors
Resource requirements
For this unit, learners must have access to a variety of different database systems
to enable them to investigate database tools and techniques used to support the
business process.
Learners require access to database software that allows the creation and use of
relational database structures.
For learning aim A, learners will require access to a local database system so that they
can integrate the purpose, function, type, tools and techniques used in the database and
how it is used to support the business process.
Essential information for assessment decisions
Learning aim A
For Distinction standard, learners must provide a comprehensive analysis of the
purpose and type of database systems used in the business process, and the tools
and techniques used. Learners must explore how the database systems manage and
organise data, and draw conclusions as to how the tools and techniques used (such as
data-update, searching, or data-validation and verification and output reports), impact
on decision-making. Learners will provide a wide range of relevant examples.
For Merit standard, learners must provide a description of the purpose and type of
database systems used in the business process and the tools and techniques used.
Learners must consider how database systems manage and organise data and draw
some conclusions as to how the tools and techniques used (such as data-update,
searching, or data-validation and verification and output reports), impact on decision-
making. Learners will provide some relevant examples.
For Pass standard, learners must identify the purpose and type of database systems
used in the business process and the tools and techniques used. Learners must outline
how database systems manage and organise data and draw a basic conclusion as to how
the tools and techniques used (such as data-update, searching, or data-validation and
verification and output reports) impact on decision-making. Details exploring how the
database system supports and impacts on the decision-making process will be
appropriate, but maybe generic or lacking in detail.
Learning aim B
For Distinction standard, learners must create a comprehensive design that clearly
meets the user requirements and identifies the purpose and constraints of the
database. A comprehensive database structure will:
• include relationships, data types and formats
• define primary and foreign key(s)
• include the validation and verification procedures that would apply to the data.
The design will include a comprehensive input and output screen/form for a main menu
with options to access data entry sub-forms, run queries and view reports. All forms
should be customised to meet the audience and purpose, e.g. titles and user
instructions.
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Learners should correctly demonstrate the use of the tools and techniques used
to generate:
• at least six appropriate queries that extract meaningful information
• at least three reports to present clear and meaningful information
• customised data-entry forms, to enable entry of data into single and multiple
tables with appropriate field formats
• main menu with the option to access the sub-forms.
For Merit standard, learners must create a detailed design that clearly meets most of
the user requirements, and that identifies the purpose and constraints of the database.
A detailed database structure will:
• include some relationships, data types and formats
• define some primary and foreign key(s)
• include some validation and verification procedures that would apply
to the data.
The design will include a detailed input and output screen/form for a main menu with
options to access data entry sub-forms, run queries and view reports.
Most forms should be customised to meet the audience and purpose, e.g. titles and
user instructions.
Learners should correctly demonstrate the use of the tools and techniques to generate:
• at least four appropriate queries that extract some clear information
• at least two reports to present generally clear and meaningful information
• customised data-entry forms, to enable entry of data into single and multiple
tables with appropriate field formats
• main menu with the option to access the sub-forms.
For Pass standard, learners must create a basic design that clearly meets key user
requirements and identifies some of the purpose and constraints of the database.
The basic database structure will:
• include some relationship data types and formats
• define some primary and foreign key(s)
• include limited validation and verification procedures that would apply
to the data.
The design will include a basic input and output screen/form for a main menu,
with options to access data entry sub-forms, run queries and view reports. They will
demonstrate some basic customisation of the forms to meet audience and purpose,
e.g. titles.
Learners should correctly demonstrate the use of the tools and techniques to generate:
• at least three appropriate queries that extract some basic information
• at least two reports to present some basic information, although there
may be occasional omissions in the detail.
These will demonstrate some awareness of user requirements. Learners should
generally demonstrate the correct use of the tools and techniques to generate
and present basic information.
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UNIT 10: INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS
Learning aim C
For Distinction standard, learners must judge the success of the database system
in meeting the user requirements, demonstrating a sound awareness of these
requirements. Learners must make well-reasoned judgements as to the effectiveness
of the software tools and techniques used, giving a wide range of relevant examples to
support the conclusions.
For Merit standard, learners must judge the success of the database system in meeting
the user requirements, demonstrating a clear awareness of these requirements.
Learners must make sound judgements as to the effectiveness of the software tools
and techniques used, giving some relevant examples to support the conclusions
although there may be occasional omissions in the detail. Learners will use relevant
examples to support the explanation.
For Pass standard, learners must judge the success of the database system in meeting
the user requirements, demonstrating some awareness of these requirements. Learners
must make some judgements as to the effectiveness of the software tools
and techniques used, giving some relevant examples, although there may be some
gaps in their reasoning and the examples given will be appropriate but limited.
Links to other units and curriculum subjects
This unit links to:
• Unit 1: Using IT to Support Information and Communication in Organisations
• Unit 2: Data and Spreadsheet Modelling
• International GCSE/core curriculum in Information Technology.
Employer involvement
This unit would benefit from employer involvement in the form of:
• guest speakers and interview opportunities
• work experience
• business material as exemplars
• visits to appropriate business organisations.
Opportunities to develop transferable employability skills
In completing this unit, learners will have the opportunity to develop skills in research
and planning, problem-solving, responsibility, and communication.
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Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Qualifications in Information Technology –
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