Where does an organisation gather information, and how does an administrator judge whether a source is reliable?
The methods of gathering information (the internet, books and journals, surveys and questionnaires, observation, internal records), the difference between primary and secondary sources, and how to judge the reliability of a source so that decisions are based on trustworthy information.
A focused answer to the SQA National 5 Administration and IT content on gathering and sharing information, covering methods of gathering information, the difference between primary and secondary sources, and how to judge whether a source is reliable so decisions rest on trustworthy information.
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What this dot point is asking
The SQA wants you to describe the methods an organisation uses to gather information, to tell apart primary and secondary sources, and to explain how to judge a source's reliability so decisions rest on trustworthy information. Reliability is a favourite Explain topic, so be ready to give reasons and consequences.
Methods of gathering information
Organisations need information to make decisions, and there are several ways to collect it. The right method depends on the question: to find out what customers think, a survey works best; to check a fact quickly, the internet is fastest; to study a topic in depth, books and reports give more detail. An administrator often combines several methods so the picture is complete.
Primary and secondary sources
The course distinguishes two kinds of source, and the terms are examined.
Judging reliability
Not all information can be trusted, especially online. Before using a source, an administrator checks whether it is reliable.
Try this
Q1. Distinguish between a primary and a secondary source. [2 marks]
- Cue. A primary source is gathered first-hand for a purpose (your own survey); a secondary source is already published by someone else (a website or report).
Q2. Describe two methods of gathering information. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two of: internet search, books and journals, survey or questionnaire, observation, internal records.
Q3. Explain one way to judge whether a website is reliable. [2 marks]
- Cue. Check it is up to date and written by a trusted author or organisation with no reason to be biased, and confirm it against a second source.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA-style Describe4 marksDescribe methods an organisation could use to gather information.Show worked answer →
Award 1 mark for each method described, up to 4. Search the internet for up-to-date information from many websites (1). Use books, journals and reports for detailed or specialist information (1). Carry out a survey or questionnaire to gather opinions directly from customers (1). Observe customers or processes to see what actually happens (1). Use the organisation's own internal records, such as past sales figures (1). Markers reward a described method, not a one-word list.
SQA-style Explain4 marksExplain why it is important to check that a source of information is reliable before using it.Show worked answer →
Award marks for explained reasons, up to 4. Decisions based on inaccurate or out-of-date information may be wrong, costing the organisation time or money (1). An unreliable source may be biased, giving a one-sided or misleading picture (1). Using a trusted, up-to-date and unbiased source means the organisation can be confident in its decision (1), and checking more than one source helps confirm the information is correct (1). Markers reward a clear reason linked to the consequence of using poor information.
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Sources & how we know this
- National 5 Administration and IT Course Specification — SQA (2024)
- National 5 Administration and IT - Course overview — SQA (2024)