← VCE Data Analysis

Writing an IPO chart for a spreadsheet or database task

A table that plans a data task: Input (data entered or imported), Process (calculation, sort or query done) and Output (result shown), e.g. scores in, average worked out, chart out.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 72, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 32, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 151

Understanding Writing an IPO chart for a spreadsheet or database task in VCE Data Analysis

What it does: Importing a file of sales is data going in, so it belongs in the Input column. A chart displayed to the user is the result of the task, so it is an Output. Process is the calculation, sort or query done on the data. Typing the scores in is Input. Data goes in, an action is done to it, and the result comes out. The wrong answer mixes up the three columns.

Common mistakes: The Output row should say what result is shown, such as the average in D2. The formula is the calculation, so it belongs in the Process row. Importing the Students table is data coming in, so it is an Input. The Output row should show the result, such as the list of Year 11 names.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 68–80) and word search (Modules 56–80).

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Learning
Duo
A student plans to find the average of five test scores in a spreadsheet. Which entry belongs in the Input column of the IPO chart?
The average mark shown at the bottomThe five test scores typed into cells
Matches
Input: Average of the scores | Process: Scores in B2:B11 | Output: Class average
↓
The Input and Process are swapped. The average is a calculation (Process) and the scores are the data entered (Input).
Applying
Meanings
Term
IPO chart
Meaning
A table that plans a data task: Input (data entered or imported), Process (calculation, sort or query done) and Output (result shown), e.g. scores in, average worked out, chart out.
Practice
INPUT: Test scores typed into B2:B11
Testing
Gaps
: test scores typed into B2:B11
Check Answer
Spots
2Process: =AVERAGE(B2:B11)
3Output: =AVERAGE(B2:B11)

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Quick Questions

1. A student plans to find the average of five test scores in a spreadsheet. Which entry belongs in the Input column of the IPO chart?
A. The five test scores typed into cells ✓
B. The average mark shown at the bottom
Input is the data entered or imported. The five scores go in. The average is the result, so it belongs in Output.
2. For the task 'work out the average of the scores', which entry is the Process?
A. Add the scores and divide by how many there are, e.g. =AVERAGE(B2:B6) ✓
B. Type the scores into column B
Process is the calculation, sort or query done on the data. Typing the scores in is Input.
3. A database table of students is searched to find everyone in Year 11. Where does 'Run a query to select records where Year = 11' go in the IPO chart?
A. Output
B. Process ✓
Running a query is something done to the data, so it is the Process. The list of matching records is the Output.
4. Which is the best Output for a query that finds all students with a mark above 80?
A. A list of the matching student records ✓
B. The full table of marks before searching
Output is the result shown to the user. The full table before searching is the Input data, not the result.
5. A student is planning a column chart of monthly sales. What goes in the Output column?
A. The monthly sales figures typed into the sheet
B. A column chart showing sales for each month ✓
The chart is the result shown, so it is Output. The sales figures typed in are Input.

Match the Pairs

Input: Test scores in B2:B11 | Process: =AVERAGE(B2:B11) | Output: Class average → An IPO chart row for a spreadsheet task where entered scores are averaged to show one result
Input: Students table | Process: SELECT * WHERE Year = 11 | Output: List of Year 11 students → An IPO chart row for a database task where a query filters a table and shows the matching records
The Input column lists the data entered or imported into the task, not the calculation done on it → Input: Monthly sales imported from sales.csv
The Output column states the result shown to the user, such as a chart → Output: Column chart of sales for each month
Input: Average of the scores | Process: Scores in B2:B11 | Output: Class average → The Input and Process are swapped. The average is a calculation (Process) and the scores are the data entered (Input).
Input: Customers table | Process: Sort by surname | Output: Sort by surname → The Output repeats the Process instead of describing the result shown, such as a list of customers in A-Z order.

Key Term

IPO chart
A table that plans a data task: Input (data entered or imported), Process (calculation, sort or query done) and Output (result shown), e.g. scores in, average worked out, chart out.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Input: test scores typed into B2:B11 Process: work out the average score Output: average shown in cell D2
Hint: Type the IPO column heading for the data entered or imported.
2. Input: scores in B2:B11 Process: =AVERAGE(B2:B11) Output: mean mark shown in D2
Hint: Type the spreadsheet function that calculates the average.
3. Input: Students table Process: sort by score, highest first Output: ranked list shown on screen
Hint: Type the IPO column heading for the result shown to the user.
4. Input: Students table with Score field Process: find rows where Score > 80 Output: list of matching names
Hint: Type the operator that means greater than in the query step.
5. Input: monthly sales in B2:B13 Process: group sales by month Output: column chart of sales by month
Hint: Type the word for the visual result shown as output.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Input: scores in B2:B11
B Process: =AVERAGE(B2:B11)
C Output: =AVERAGE(B2:B11)
Line C — The Output row should say what result is shown, such as the average in D2. The formula is the calculation, so it belongs in the Process row.
Question 2
A Input: Students table
B Process: query Year = 11
C Process: sort Surname A to Z
D Output: import Students table
Line D — Importing the Students table is data coming in, so it is an Input. The Output row should show the result, such as the list of Year 11 names.
Question 3
A Input: column chart of sales
B Process: select A1:B7
C Output: column chart of sales
Line A — A chart is the result shown, so it is an Output. The Input row should list the data entered, such as the monthly sales in B2:B7.
Question 4
A Output: Books table, 200 rows
B Process: query Genre = Fantasy
C Output: list of fantasy titles
Line A — The Books table is the data imported or entered, so it is an Input. Line 1 should start with Input, not Output.
Question 5
A Input: quiz marks, C2:C21
B Process: find the mean mark
C Process: =COUNT(C2:C21)
D Output: mean mark in E2
Line C — COUNT only counts how many cells hold numbers. To find the mean mark the Process should use =AVERAGE(C2:C21).

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