* DIDA gave a brief of designing a database that would be able to store details of endangered species. The purpose of the database was so that members could easily access all of the different endangered species and see which one’s they’d like to adopt. I used Microsoft Access to create this database as it is the basic template of creating databases and it creates databases simply, quickly and efficiently. Once I had opened the document I entered in the correct field names as provide by the website and then I changed the data types accordingly e.g. For Name of species I kept the data type as ‘Text’.

The first data type that I had to enter was ‘Text’ for the Name of species field. This was because the data that would be required for this specific field would be worded. Not only did I change the data type, but I also changed the field size. I changed it from 255 to 45 as, presumably, you wouldn't need any more characters than this for the name of any species.

The second data type that I had to enter was ‘Text’ for the Group field. This was because the data that would be required for this specific field would only be text. Not only did I change the data type, but I also changed the field size. I changed it from 255 to 60 as, presumably, you wouldn't need any more characters than this for the group that the animal is in.

For this Group field a ‘Validation rule’ and ‘Validation text’ was required as stated by the DIDA WildCare website. This was because only certain information could be entered into this field and this would make it easier for the members to access the database and chose and animal to adopt. The DIDA WildCare website stated that only 4 specific groups could be entered, ‘Bird/ Insect’, ‘Mammal’, ‘Fish’ or ‘Reptile/ Amphibian’. The validation rule would reduce the risk of any incorrect data being imported into the database and it also ensure that human error is not made, for example someone spelling ‘Mammal’ as mamal etc. If the member was to enter incorrect data into this field then they would receive an error message notifying them that they had entered incorrect data and it would tell them, what the specific 4 groups are that are required for this field.

To make the database more user friendly and to give people a specific option as to what to enter for this particular field I created a ‘Lookup Wizard’. So after I had entered the data type as ‘Text’ I clicked on ‘Lookup Wizard’. I then typed in the values that were required for this field, ‘Bird/ Insect’, ‘Mammal’, ‘Fish and ‘Reptile/ Amphibian’. Once I had finished the ‘Lookup Wizard’ all of the specific values had been applied to the database, making it easier to use and access.

The third data type that I had to enter was ‘Text’ for the Location field. This was because the data that would be required for this specific field would be worded. Not only did I change the data type, but I also changed the field size. I changed it from 255 to 70 as there is not a location in the world in which you’d need more than 70 words to write, so by lowering the field size it wouldn’t take up as much space on the actual database.

The fourth data type that I had to enter was ‘Text’ for the Status field. This was because the data that would be required for this specific field would be worded. Not only did I change the data type, but I also changed the field size. I changed it from 255 to 15 as there was specific codes to enter into this particular field and none of them exceeded 15 words and so it was more relevant and more suitable for the field size to be changed to a small number, hence 15.

For this Status field a ‘Validation rule’ and ‘Validation text’ was required. This data that was to be entered into this specific field was coded. There were three different codes ‘Red’ meaning that the animal was critically endangered, ‘Orange’ which meant that it was endangered and ‘Blue’ which meant that it was simply at risk. The validation rule would reduce the risk of any incorrect data being imported into the database. If the member was to enter incorrect data into this field then they would receive an error message notifying them that they had entered incorrect data and it would tell them, what the 3 different codes that can be entered into this specific field are.

To make the database easier to use and access and to give people a specific option as to what to enter for this particular field I created a ‘Lookup Wizard’. I clicked on ‘Lookup Wizard’. I then typed in the 3 coded that were required for this field, ‘Red’, ‘Orange’ and ‘Blue’. Once I had finished the ‘Lookup Wizard’ all of the specific values had been applied to the database, making it easier to use and access. To check that my validation rules worked I entered the wrong code into one of the fields and the error message appeared telling me that what I have entered was incorrect.

The fifth data type that I had to enter was ‘Text’ for the Threat field. This was because the data that would be required for this specific field would be worded. Not only did I change the data type, but I also changed the field size. I changed it from 255 to 1 as there was only 1 specific lettered code that had to be entered either, ‘C’, ‘L’, ‘H’ or ‘P’. So therefore to save space on the database it was more suitable to change the field size to 1, as opposed to a larger quantity of 255.

For this Threat field a ‘Validation rule’ and ‘Validation text’ was required. This data that was to be entered into this specific field was coded. There were four different codes which stands for four different harms which are seen as a threat towards animals; ‘C’ which meant climate change, ‘L’ which stands for loss of habitat, ‘H’ which stands for hunting and ‘P’ which means predator. The validation rule would reduce the risk of any incorrect data being imported into the database. If the member was to enter incorrect data into this field then they would receive an error message notifying them that they had entered incorrect data and it would tell them, what the 4 different codes that can be entered into this specific field are.

To make the database easier to use and access and to give people a specific option as to what to enter for this particular field I created a ‘Lookup Wizard’. I clicked on ‘Lookup Wizard’. I then typed in the 4 codes that were required for this field, ‘C’, ‘L’, ‘H’ and ‘P’. Once I had finished the ‘Lookup Wizard’ all of the specific values had been applied to the database, making it easier to use and access. I entered in the wrong code into the Threat field and the error message appeared telling me that I was incorrect and what was required for the field. So as a result Ii knew that both my validation rule and text was working.

The sixth data type that I had to enter was ‘Hyperlink’ for the Weblink field. This was because the data that would be required for this specific field would be a URL hyperlink and so the ‘Hyperlink’ data type was most suitable for this particular field. Not only did I change the data type, but I also changed the field size. The Weblink is evidence of where the data for each species has come from and if people want to know any more information then they can simply click on the hyperlink and look it up.

The final data type that I had to enter was ‘Currency’ for the Adoption cost field. This was because the data that would be required for this specific field would be numerical currency and so this data type was most suitable. I changed the decimal places number to 2 as currency always has 2 decimal places e.g. £1.50 etc. so this would make it easier for the member looking at the database, to determine what the price is to adopt one of the endangered species.

Finally I had to import the data into the database and ensure that all of the different fields that I had changed were working. I went to the import data tab and then I browsed my documents to get the text file which contained all of the data to be imported and then once I had imported the data I checked to see if there was 173 records and that none were missing. Luckily, there was so this made it clear that all of the validation setting’s and data types were correct and that database was ready for use.

Once I had completed my database I had to create a data entry form. This was so that I would be able to use this data entry form to enter 3 new entries into the endangered species database. I wanted to make the data entry form look nicer and more appealing to others as at this point, it looked quite simply bland and very boring. So I changed the font, I changed the colours and added a suitable image of the WildCare logo. To do this I clicked the design tab, then insert image and I browsed my area to find the saved image and inserted it and re-sized to make the data entry form more eye-catching and more relevant to the topic.

Secondly, after I had made the data entry form look more appealing to the audience/ user I created a suitable title for the data form. I decide to name it ‘WildCare’ as I felt that this title was most suitable, especially considering that it was the name of the adoption charity. After I made this alteration, I had to ensure that there was features on the data entry form that would help the user to enter valid data, the first of these being ‘drop down boxes’. This particular feature was best suited for the Group, Status and Threat fields as there were specific codes and words that had to be entered into them. They were the same as those designed when creating the database. This feature would ensure that only correct data would be entered into these fields.

Once I had designed an appealing outline of the data entry form add added the ‘drop down boxes’ it was vital that we added the second feature of different buttons to make it more accessible and easier to use by the users, therefore, hopefully expanding the market of the target audience. To add the buttons e.g. ‘Save Record’. You must click on the button tab and this particular button is a Record Operation so you then click the action as ‘Save Record’ and then you click text, write the name of what you want the button to be and then it will appear in your database. The user can easily you these buttons to enter data into the data entry form. I did this same process for 5 other buttons that were all vital to make the data entry form more accessible and easy to use by all.

The final touch to add to the data entry form to make it clear and easy to use was to add a key for the 2 coded fields so that it clarified to users what each letter/ colour meant in particular. I designed a key using Microsoft word and then opened it up with Photoshop to save it as a J.PEG image. Once I had completed this process I went on to the data entry form and clicked on include image and then browsed for my saved copy of my coded keys. Then once I had inserted them I placed them at the bottom of the data entry form and made them a suitable size so that all users could see them. This key would ensure that only valid data was entered into the fields which is why it was a vital, key element that had to be included into the data entry form. ‘Design’ tab, used to change the design of the data entry form to suit the particular target audience. I used this tab to insert the images I used in my data entry form; coded key and WildCare logo. The coded key for both coded fields; Threat and Status. These key’s make it easier to understand the particular requirement to be entered into these specific fields, to ensure that only valid data is entered.

Suitable Heading. All Fields Included On Data Entry Form. Variety of buttons-Feature to help the user enter valid data. WildCare Logo. Drop-Down Boxes-Feature to help the user enter valid data. Colour scheme and fonts that are appealing to users and make the data entry form stand out.

Once my database was complete I had to add 3 new species that were from the same group but did not duplicate existing records. Before I could enter any data I had to research a species. I decided to chose Mammals and so I found a useful website which gave me information on all endangered animals that are Mammals. I then added all of the research into the data entry form and then I clicked ‘Add Record’ and then ‘Save Record. Finally, I checked the imported data table and the new record had been added. During my research I discovered that the Blue Whale an ‘Endangered’ species which is why I gave it a status of orange and that this was due to climate change and ‘pollution’, hence the threat of C (climate change). I gathered this information from: angered/mammals/blue-whale.html angered/mammals/blue-whale.html

I did the exact same process as I did for the previous time and this was a lot easier as all of the animals were from the same group of Mammals and so I made it rather basic just so that the audience can get a slight overview as to what the answer could be. The website told me that the Hirola was ‘Critically Endangered’ by ‘poaching’ and so I gave it a status of Red (Critically Endangered) and a threat of H (hunting). I found this research from:

Again the exact same process was used and so I entered the data and worked out the equations and then added this to the WildCare database and ‘Add Record’ and ‘Save Record’. I discovered that the Ruffed Lemur was ‘Endangered’ due to ‘hunting’. This is why I gave it a status of orange (endangered) and a threat of H (hunting). This information was provided by: mals/ruffed-lemur.html mals/ruffed-lemur.html

To ensure that the features on the data entry form, that were used to make sure that the user entered only valid data and to make the database more accessible to use, worked I had to test the different drop down boxes and buttons. When I’d click on the drop down boxes all of the different codes and species came up as suspected and I knew that the buttons worked well because, for example, when I entered the details of the three new species into the data entry form I clicked on the ‘save record’ button and then ‘add record’ to the database and when I checked the database the record had been entered into the database and this worked for all 3 of the species that I entered so I knew that the buttons worked. Drop Down Boxes to ensure valid information is entered into coded fields. Click on ‘Find Record’ button and this box appears. You then type in the animal you want to find and click ‘Find Next’ it appears in the data entry form.

After I had designed and completed my database and data entry form and added the 3 new records I checked that all of the documents that I used would be able to be viewed by the viewed using only the Moderators toolkit. I went on the Edexcel website and it said that all Microsoft PowerPoint files could be viewed that were saved as.ppt,.pptx,.ppsx. Instantly it was clear that the Moderators toolkit would be able to view my evidence of screenshots as the PowerPoint is saved as a.pptx file.