MET CS 669 Database Design and Implementation for Business

Health Assignment 1

The two parts in this assignment will contribute equally to your grade
and will be evaluated separately.
Part 1: Database Concepts
Imagine that a small, countryside hospital maintains its data in flat files
on a file system. To assist in tracking patients and medical supplies,
the hospital staff uses a custom application that accesses these flat
files. The staff sometimes accesses the files directly. With this scenario
in mind, address each of the topics below.
Topic 1: The Advantages of Database Management Systems

Identify and describe several advantages that a database system

would offer the hospital over their current data management solution.
Topic 2: Structural Independence

Database systems exhibit structural independence, which occurs when

the way that applications and users operate with the database is
independent of how the data is actually stored in the file system or
other storage device. Explain why structural independence is important
to the hospital staff.
Topic 3: Problems with Data Redundancy

Data redundancy occurs when the same data is duplicated in different

parts of a data management system in such a way that the duplicates
are unnecessary and the duplicates can become inconsistent. Identify
and explain how the hospitals current data management solution
could exhibit the three kinds of data anomalies described in the
textbook.
Topic 4: Five Major Components of a DBMS

Our Coronel, Morris and Rob text describes database systems as

having five major components: hardware, software, people,
procedures, and data. If the hospital were to adopt a database
management system, describe ways in which people would interact
with and be responsible for the hardware, software, procedures, and
data. You dont need to try to provide an exhaustive list, because that
would be voluminous, but only an indication that you have thought
about how people would be responsible for and interact with each of
the other four components.

Part 2: Converting a Spreadsheet to a Database

The table below represents a table such as you might encounter in a
spreadsheet or file-based application . **Only answer the question Below.
First Last Name
Roger
McHaney
Roger
McHaney
Telly
O'Grady
Telly
O'Grady
Telly
O'Grady
Telly
O'Grady
Telly
O'Grady
Telly
O'Grady
Telly
O'Grady
Grant
Brikestein
Grant
Brikestein
Grant
Brikestein
Alarry
Abu
Betty
Marygrade
Samuel
Timod
Samuel
Timod

I
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
5
6
6

Code
99204
99214
99203
99213
99213
99213
99212
99212
99212
99202
99212
99212
99205
99203
99202
99202

Fee
$361.56
$126.52
$311.56
$106.52
$106.52
$106.52
$86.25
$86.25
$86.25
$261.56
$86.25
$99.37
$411.56
$311.56
$261.56
$261.56

Discount
$98.31
$32.35
$98.31
$32.35
$32.35
$32.35
$32.35
$32.35
$32.35
$98.31
$32.35
$53.23
$128.31
$98.31
$98.31
$98.31

Amoun
$263.2
$94.17
$213.2
$74.17
$74.17
$74.17
$53.90
$53.90
$53.90
$163.2
$53.90
$46.14
$283.2
$213.2
$163.2
$163.2

VisitDat
6/23/201
8/17/201
6/25/201
7/06/201
7/13/201
7/20/201
7/27/201
8/04/201
8/11/201
7/06/201
8/04/201
8/10/201
7/13/201
7/17/201
7/18/201
7/24/201

Imagine that you want to convert this to a relational database. Answer the
following questions, which are progressively more difficult:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

How many records does this file contain?

How many fields are there per record?
What are the field names?
What do the records in this table probably represent?
Is there data redundancy in the table? If so, describe it.
Does this table contain data that is part of different entities? If you
think so, list the entities that are confounded in this file-like table.

7. Are there any fields you would add when converting this
spreadsheet to a database? If your answer is yes, identify each
field then briefly describe the reason why you would choose to
add it.
8. Are there other problems you would you need to address in
converting this data to a relational database? If your answer is
yes, identify and briefly describe each problem.

Your submission will be evaluated according to the following grading

rubric.
Grade

A+ 100

The content demonstrates exceptional understanding of all relevant subject matter and its interrelationships. All major relevant issues are thoroughly covered, and all content is very focused
and on-topic. There is no known way to improve the content, and there are absolutely no
technical or coverage errors present.

A 96

The content demonstrates exceptional understanding of all relevant subject matter and its interrelationships. All major relevant issues are thoroughly covered, and all content is very focused
and on-topic. At most one insignificant technical or coverage error may be present

A- 92
B+ 88
Content (70%)
Measures the
quality of the
content in the
assignment

B 85

B- 82
C+ 78
C 75

C- 72

D 67
F0
A+ 100

A 96
A- 92
Exposition
(30%)
Measures how
well the content
is expressed

Qualities Demonstrated by the Assignment Submission

B+ 88
B 85
B- 82
C+ 78
C 75
C- 72
D 67
F0

The content demonstrates deep understanding of all relevant subject matter and its interrelationships. All major relevant issues are covered, and all content is on-topic.
The content demonstrates understanding of all relevant subject matter and its inter-relationships.
Almost all major relevant issues are covered, and the content is at least reasonably on-topic.
The content demonstrates understanding of most relevant subject matter and its interrelationships. Almost all major relevant issues are covered, and all content is at least reasonably
on-topic.
The content demonstrates moderate understanding of much relevant subject matter and its interrelationships. There is reasonable coverage of major relevant issues, and the content is at least
reasonably on-topic.
The content demonstrates some understanding of relevant subject matter and its interrelationships. Some major relevant issues are covered, and at least some content is on-topic.
The content demonstrates understanding of a small portion of the relevant subject matter and its
inter-relationships. Some major relevant issues are covered, and at least a small portion of the
content is on-topic.
The content demonstrates little understanding of and insight into the relevant subject matter and
its inter-relationships. A small portion of the major relevant issues are covered. The focus of the
content may be off topic or on insubstantial or secondary topics
The content demonstrates almost no understanding of or insight into the relevant subject matter
and its inter-relationships. Almost none of the major relevant issues are covered, and the content
may be almost entirely off-topic.
The content demonstrates no understanding of or insight into the relevant subject matter and its
inter-relationships. No major relevant issues are covered, and the content is entirely off-topic.
The presentation of all ideas and designs is exceptionally clear and persuasive; the entire
submission is exceptionally organized. There is no known way to improve the clarity or
organization of the submission.
The presentation of all ideas and designs is exceptionally clear and persuasive; the entire
submission is exceptionally organized. There may be at most one insignificant way to improve
the clarity or organization of the submission.
The presentation of all ideas and designs is very clear and persuasive; the entire submission is
very organized.
The presentation of all ideas and designs is clear and persuasive; the entire submission is
organized.
The presentation of most ideas and designs is clear and persuasive; most of the submission is
organized.
The presentation of most ideas and designs is generally clear; most of the submission is
reasonably organized.
Some parts of the submission are hard to understand; some parts are disorganized.
About half of the submission is hard to understand; about half is disorganized.
Most parts of the submission are hard to understand; most parts are disorganized.
Almost all of the submission is hard to understand and disorganized.
The entire submission is hard to understand and disorganized.

Grade
Assigned