∙ Produce a data capture sheet.
∙ Collect and input data on the cars.
∙ Sort the data on the cars.
∙ Show the results of searches.
∙ Write up a conclusion of the process.
∙ Create a guide to show users how to use the data handling system.
Research
To gain information about types of data that I will be using I will use the internet to research what factors are important when selling a second hand car. As well as the Internet I will collect advertisements from magazines and newspapers. From the information I have gathered from the various sources I will create a questionnaire to find out what is important to know about car they are buying second hand.
When I have gathered the information, which the general public look for when buying a second hand vehicle I will use this information to go into my data capture sheet.
Inputs outputs and processes required
The inputs that are needed by the data system will be various details about the cars and their owners. These details will be important so that potential customers will be able to select a vehicle, which they desire and will be able to contact the owners for information such as further details or how to collect the vehicle.
The processes involved in the database are:
∙ Data collection
∙ Data preparation
∙ Data input
∙ Data verification
∙ Data validation
∙ Database searches
∙ Printing various forms
The outputs needed by the system are print outs that show the requirements of potential customers.
Identification of software
Data capture sheet
I have researched car companies across the country finding what details they show in their advertisements. Below is a list of various car companies I have found on the Internet and in magazines or newspapers.
Internet
First I have gone onto the auto trader website, then I have gone onto dealer directory. There I have selected auto traders at random and gone onto their company website.
A Nicolas Autos
A Nicolas Autos gives the following information about the cars which they are advertising on the web site:
∙ Make
∙ Model
∙ Colour
∙ Type of car
∙ How many doors
∙ Price
∙ Alloy wheels
∙ Mileage
∙ Electric windows
∙ Air conditioning
∙ Taxed until
∙ Power steering
∙ Registration
∙ Cruise control
∙ Sunroof
∙ Convertible
∙ CD player
∙ Fuel type
Aire valley autos
Aire valley autos gives the following information about the cars which they are advertising on the web site:
∙ Make
∙ Model
∙ Colour
∙ Fuel type
∙ Mileage
∙ Doors
∙ Air conditioning
∙ Automatic transmission
∙ CD player
∙ Air bag
∙ Electric adjustable mirror
∙ Electric boot release
∙ Electric windows
∙ Power assisted steering
∙ Remote central locking alarm
∙ Climate control
∙ Roof rails
∙ Traction control system
∙ Year
∙ Car type
Data recorded in advertisements
This is a collection of data from paper based and Internet based research I have done to find what information is in an advertisement for selling a second hand car.
∙ Make
∙ Model
∙ Price
∙ Colour
∙ Electric windows
∙ Air conditioning
∙ Remote locking
∙ Remote boot
∙ Airbags
∙ Engine size
∙ Alloy wheels
∙ Registration letter (when made)
∙ Leather seats
∙ Cd player
∙ Spoilers
∙ Tinted windows
∙ M.O.T date
∙ Alarm
∙ Mileage
∙ Contact information
∙ Taxed date
∙ Power assisted steering
∙ Anti-lock brake system
∙ Remote central deadlocking
∙ Central locking
∙ Tyres
∙ Amount of doors
∙ Cruise control
∙ Seatbelt Pretensioners
∙ Parking sensors
∙ Sunroof
∙ Wash wipe
∙ Climate control
∙ Type of car
∙ Convertible
∙ Fuel type
∙ Automatic transmission
∙ Electric adjustable mirror
∙ Roof rails
∙ Traction control system
Questionnaire
Please could you tick the following depending on what information you would want to be in an advertisement for a second hand car.
Questionnaire results
Collection of range of data
Reasons for choice of fields, field type and field length
Validation of database
Creation of database
Database visually checked
Database edited
Test questions produced
Search database using single condition
Search database using more than one condition
User guide produced
Conclusions