IBDP Computer Science A3.3 Database programming HL Paper 1 - New Syllabus

(a)
For the correct answer:

• Regularly scheduled backups: create copies of the database so that recent data can be recovered if the original database is damaged or lost.
• Data validation rules/database constraints: prevent inappropriate insert, update or delete operations, helping maintain accurate and consistent data.
• Regular data auditing and logs: identify integrity problems or unauthorized modifications to the database.
• Access control and authentication: controls who can view, add, modify or delete data.
• Regular data cleaning: removes or corrects outdated, incomplete or inaccurate data.

Any other reasonable strategy for maintaining data integrity is valid.

(b)
For the correct answer:

• An integrated database holds data for several applications or combines data from multiple sources/databases.
• The data is converted into a standardized structure so that different systems can share and use the data.
• APIs may be used to allow systems to communicate, while Extract, Transfer, Load (ETL) processes can be used to standardize data.

(c)
For the correct answer:

1. Select the required tables from a dropdown list or drag the tables into the visual query builder.
2. Select the required fields using a list of fields or checkboxes in the query grid.
3. Enter or select the required conditions/criteria to filter the records.
4. Select the execute query option to display the filtered results.

For example, the user could select the PATIENT table, choose PatientName and PatientID, specify a filtering condition, and then execute the query to display only matching records.

(d)
For the correct answer:

• Data mining can scan and analyse large volumes of patient and treatment data quickly, potentially integrating information from multiple sources.
• Historical patient treatment data can be analysed to identify hidden patterns and trends associated with infectious oral diseases.
• Automated techniques such as association, classification, link analysis, cluster analysis or deviation detection can identify patterns that may indicate an emerging outbreak.
• Data mining could also identify anomalies or unusual increases in particular infections, which could then be investigated further.
• Geospatial analysis could be used to identify regions where infection rates are unusually high.

For example, if records show an unusual increase in patients with similar infectious oral symptoms in a particular region, data mining could identify this pattern and help predict a possible outbreak.

(e)
For the correct answer:

Advantages:

• Faster payment: allowing insurance companies to access relevant records can accelerate the insurance claim process.
• Accurate billing: the insurance company can access accurate treatment information, reducing billing errors and potential disputes.
• Fraud prevention: access to records can help identify unusual or fraudulent insurance claims, protecting the clinic.

Disadvantages:

• Privacy concerns: allowing an external organization to access records increases the risk of sensitive patient information being exposed.
• Security risks: opening access to the database can increase vulnerability to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
• Misuse of data: an insurance company could potentially use medical information inappropriately, such as increasing premiums based on medical history.
• Legal challenges: the clinic must ensure that sharing patient information complies with applicable data protection legislation.

Conclusion: Allowing controlled access could improve the efficiency and accuracy of insurance claims, but the clinic should only provide the minimum necessary information and use appropriate security and access controls to protect patient privacy.