Understanding Action Words in Writing

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Questions and Answers

What does the action word 'Compare' mean?

Examine to find flaws

Record details for reference

Examine relationships and differences (correct)

State precisely the meaning

Which action word means to provide a condensed version of information?

List

Describe

Summarise (correct)

Draft

What does the action word 'Define' entail?

Prepare a preliminary version

Examine the details

State precisely the meaning (correct)

Give specific examples

Which action word involves recording or itemising names or things?

List Signup and view all the answers

What action does 'Illustrate' suggest?

Provide examples to clarify Signup and view all the answers

When asked to 'Discuss', what is expected?

Examine opposing arguments Signup and view all the answers

The term 'Record' in this context means what?

Put in writing for reference Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of preparing a study schedule?

Allocate time to study units and revision Signup and view all the answers

What type of internal information do suppliers require for future planning?

Sustainability and creditworthiness of the organization Signup and view all the answers

What do customers use to compare products and services?

External information from different suppliers Signup and view all the answers

Which internal information do financial institutions require to determine creditworthiness?

Internal financial information Signup and view all the answers

Which organization primarily needs information for tax liability assessment?

South African Revenue Services (SARS) Signup and view all the answers

What type of external information do future employees need for job security evaluation?

Labor laws and unions Signup and view all the answers

How do financial institutions supplement their internal assessments of creditworthiness?

Using external sources like references and credit bureaus Signup and view all the answers

What type of information is critical for customers when deciding where to buy?

Discounts, interest rates, and payment terms Signup and view all the answers

What would not be a source of external information for evaluating an organization's performance?

Internal management meetings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the AIN1501 module?

Learning about computerized information systems in business Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles can one prepare for by completing the AIN1501 module?

User or designer of accounting information systems Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for students to keep their knowledge relevant and up to date after completing the module?

Because knowledge loses its meaning if it is outdated Signup and view all the answers

What skill is assumed for students enrolling in the AIN1501 module?

Effective communication in the English language Signup and view all the answers

What does the AIN1501 module aim to make students aware of?

Computers and information systems operations Signup and view all the answers

Which professional bodies might students consider registering with after completing the AIN1501 module?

SAICA and CIMA Signup and view all the answers

What will students learn about concerning accounting information systems?

The specific functions they can perform in processing accounting data Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of the instantaneous information in the global economy?

It speeds up the business cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of information systems in organizations?

To manage information resources Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines a system?

A set of components serving a common purpose Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of a system as described?

Input, Processing, Output Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes open systems from closed systems?

Closed systems do not share information Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes an information system?

A tool for managing organizational decision-making Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a role of information systems?

To manage environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What is required for effective planning in organizational decision-making?

Knowledge of resources and possible outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What happens in a closed system?

It has no interaction with its environment Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized as a key method for preparing for examinations?

Working through self-assessment activities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT recommended for exam preparation?

Leaving the exam venue right after completing answers Signup and view all the answers

Which element is crucial for satisfying examiners according to the guide?

Following the examiner's instructions carefully Signup and view all the answers

What does the study guide suggest about time management during exams?

Answering easier questions first Signup and view all the answers

What do the modules AIN1501 and AIN2601 focus on integrating?

Computer technology and accounting practices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a suggested study technique?

Working systematically through each topic Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of computer technology is highlighted in the module's conclusion?

Its increasing impact on day-to-day business activities Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the role of accountants as mentioned in the guide?

Accountants have a clear understanding of business activities and information needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the system implementation process?

Acquiring hardware Signup and view all the answers

Which step involves preparing users for the new system?

Preparation of current users Signup and view all the answers

When is user acceptance tested during the system implementation?

After testing Signup and view all the answers

What component is focused on during the system review process?

System maintenance documentation Signup and view all the answers

What is a major factor considered during the system review process?

System review team composition Signup and view all the answers

Which type of maintenance is essential for ongoing system performance?

Routine system maintenance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of user acceptance in the implementation cycle?

To ensure users are satisfied and able to use the system Signup and view all the answers

What does the system maintenance documentation typically include?

Details on system updates and repairs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the system implementation process?

System review Signup and view all the answers

Which step involves ensuring that new hardware is operational?

Installation of new hardware Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Accounting Information Systems in a Computer Environment (AIN1501)

This is a study guide for AIN1501, the course name is Accounting information systems in a computer environment
Authors include Mr NJ Booyse, Ms C Leonard, Mr DPJ Scott and Ms GM Viviers
Mrs A Mc Gee is a course contributor
Learning development contributors include Ms M Madiope and Ms GNW Moleko
The course is offered by the University of South Africa, Pretoria
AIN1501/1/2018-2020, 70501386

Part 1: Introduction to Information Systems

Topic 1: Nature of information and information systems
- Study unit 1: Information
  - Introduction
  - What is information?
  - The uses and users of information
    - Internal users
    - External users
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 2: Information systems
  - Introduction
  - What is a system?
  - Open or closed systems
  - System performance measurement
  - What is an information system?
  - The role of information systems in organisations
  - Computerised information systems
  - Accounting information system (AIS)
    - Definition
    - Why study accounting information systems (AIS)?
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 3: Information strategy
  - Introduction
  - What is an information strategy?
  - The relationship between information, information system and information strategy
  - Information strategy
  - Benefits of an information strategy
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment

Part 2: Information Technology Infrastructure

Topic 2: Information technology components
- Study unit 5: Hardware
  - Introduction
  - Role of hardware
  - Hardware components
  - Input devices
  - Processing – the central processing unit (CPU) and primary memory
    - Central processing unit (CPU)
    - Executing instructions
    - Clock speed
    - Primary memory
  - Secondary storage
  - Output devices
  - Other hardware components to note
  - Types of computer systems
  - Computer system hardware selection and upgrading
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 6: Software
  - Introduction
  - System software
    - Operating system
    - Types of operating systems
    - Factors to consider when choosing a computer operating system
    - Utility software
      - Tasks/uses & Examples (anti-virus, backup utilities, data compression, disk utilities, file managers, network utilities)
  - Application software
    - Types of application software
      - Tasks/uses & Examples (word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation)
  - Software trends and issues
  - Software development
    - Programming language, process, purposes

Part 3: Threats, Controls, Privacy and Ethics

Topic 4: Threats in a computerised environment
- Study unit 10: Threats to computerised information systems
  - Introduction
  - The relationship between vulnerability, threats, exposure, and risks
  - Common threats to an information system
    - Natural threats
    - Environmental threats
    - Human threats (errors, waste, computer crime)
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
Topic 5: Controls in a computerised environment
- Study unit 11: Computer and accounting information system controls
  - Introduction
  - Information system security policies
    - Defining an information system security policy
    - Documents; guidelines for an information system policy
  - Controls
    - General controls (Organisational, operational)
    - Application controls (Input, processing, output)
    - General controls
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
Topic 6: Privacy and ethical matters in a computerised environment.
- Study unit 12: Privacy and ethical concerns and measures to address these concerns
  - Introduction
  - Privacy and the individual
  - Ethics and the individual
  - Ethics and information
  - Ethics and the organisation
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment

Part 4: System Development

Topic 7: The system development process
- Study unit 13: System development lifecycles
  - Introduction
  - Reasons why information systems need to be replaced or improved
  - Factors affecting the success of system development
  - Re-engineering business processes
  - Traditional system development lifecycle (SDLC)
  - Rapid application development (RAD)
  - Outsourcing of information systems
  - End-user development lifecycle
  - Prototyping
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 14: System investigation and system analysis
  - Introduction
  - System investigation
    - Development team
    - Feasibility analysis
    - System investigation report
  - System analysis
    - Steps in the system analysis
    - Different techniques to gather information on the existing information system
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 15: System design
  - Introduction
  - System design and its purpose
  - System design process
  - Logical and physical system design
  - Interface design
  - System security and controls
  - Generating system design alternatives
  - Evaluating and selecting a system design
  - System design report
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 16: System implementation
  - Introduction
  - System implementation
  - Steps in the system implementation process
    - Acquiring hardware
    - Software acquisition or development
    - Preparation of current users
    - Hiring and training of new staff
    - Site preparation
    - Data preparation
    - Installation
    - Testing
    - Start-up
    - User acceptance
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 17: System review and maintenance
  - Introduction
  - System review and maintenance approaches
    - Time-driven
    - Event driven
  - System review
    - Review team
    - Factors to consider
    - Different aspects
    - System review report
  - System maintenance
    - Maintenance team
    - Types of maintenance
    - Documentation and financial implications
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment

Part 5: Business Applications

Topic 8: Application of information systems
- Study unit 18: Overview of information systems and operational information systems
  - Introduction
  - Information systems in perspective
  - Transaction processing system (TPS)
  - Enterprise resource planning system (ERP)
  - TPS concepts
  - ERP concepts
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 19: Management information systems and decision support systems
  - Introduction
  - The problem-solving and decision-making process
  - Management information system (MIS) concepts
  - Decision support system (DSS) concepts
  - Management Information Systems (MIS)
  - Decision Support System (DSS)
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 20: Knowledge management and other specialised information systems
  - Introduction
  - Knowledge Management System (KMS) concepts
  - Group support system (GSS) concepts
  - Executive support system (ESS) concepts
  - Applications
    - Customer relationship management (CRM) concepts
    - Expert system (ES) concepts
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
Topic 9: Electronic commerce.
- Study unit 21: Electronic commerce
  - Introduction
  - E-business Concepts
  - E-marketing concepts
  - E-commerce concepts
  - M-commerce concepts
  - Advantages and disadvantages
  - Threats and controls
  - Main e-commerce categories (B2B, B2C, C2C, C2B, E-government)
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment
- Study unit 22: Electronic commerce related threats and controls
  - Introduction
  - E-commerce specific threats
    - Information threats (Data alternation, Copyright, patent, or trade secret infringements, Incorrect website information, Website vandalism)
    - Technology threats (Denial-of-service attack, Pharming, Insufficient hardware and bandwidth)
    - Business threats
  - Controls to mitigate e-commerce threats
  - Summary
  - Self-assessment

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Description

This quiz focuses on the meanings of common action words used in academic writing. You will explore terms like 'compare' and discover other key verbs that influence how information is conveyed and summarized. Test your understanding of these essential terms now!