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Date	May 2022	Marks available	8	Reference code	22M.1.SL.TZ0.2
Level	SL	Paper	1	Time zone	no time zone
Command term	To what extent	Question number	2	Adapted from	N/A

Question

Investigation of ocean disasters

A system called the Marine Accident Data Analysis Suite (MADAS) uses data collected from marine accidents to create models that are used as part of a simulation¹ to help understand what has happened (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: An example of a MADAS model

Cruise ships are required to carry a voyage data recorder (VDR), which uses sensors to monitor the conditions in the ship at all times. The data from the sensors is collected and input into a relational database² (see Figure 3) that is a part of the MADAS system (see Figure 4).

Figure 3: Part of the relational database in the MADAS system

Figure 4: The MADAS system

¹ simulation: a computer simulation is the usage of a computer for the modelling of a real-world process or system

² relational database: a database that consists of one or more tables where there are pre-defined relationships between the data elements

[Figure 2: With permission from the International Union of Marine Insurance. Source adapted.]

The voyage data recorder (VDR) gathers information during a voyage.

Identify three sensors that may be used to detect data about the weather conditions.

[3]

a.i.

Identify three advantages of using a relational database rather than a flat-file database.

[3]

a.ii.

There are concerns about the reliability of the data being input into the MADAS system.

Explain why data validation and data verification are used to ensure the reliability of the data being input into the MADAS system.

[3]

b.i.

The MADAS system uses data visualization.

Explain why data visualization is used by the MADAS system.

[3]

b.ii.

To what extent can the use of models and simulations like the MADAS system help prevent future accidents?

[8]

Markscheme

Answers may include:

(Atmospheric) pressure
Temperature
Wind (speed/direction)
Humidity
Rain / precipitation / water level (BOD)
Sunlight

Award [1] for identifying each sensor that may be used to detect data about weather conditions up to a maximum of [3].

a.i.

Answers may include:

Any item of data is only entered once, which eliminates redundant data.
Reduces the amount of storage space needed for the database.
Reduces the chance of an error occurring.
(Normalization) reduces the chance of anomalies (e.g., update / deletion / insertion).
Improves security of the data, as different permissions can be added to different tables.
Quicker to enter and update data.

Award [1] for identifying each advantage of a relational database rather than using a flat-file database up to [3].

a.ii.

Answers may include:

Data validation is the process of ensuring the data entered is valid (clean, correct and useful) using computer-based rules (e.g. presence check, length check, type check, range check etc).
Data verification is the process of checking what has been entered is correct compared to the original (integrity) or by entering the data twice and comparing the instances of the data entry.
The combination of validation and verification ensures that the data can be checked most efficiently. Validation prevents erroneous data being added so that only a smaller subset of the data needs to be manually checked (verification).

Award [1] for a definition of data validation.

Award [1] for a definition of data verification.

Award [1] for a statement that explains why both validation and verification is necessary.

b.i.

Answers may include:

Visualization is story telling with images, graphs and charts.
It uses mathematical operations to model events that enables complex data to be presented in a way that can be easily understood.
Allowing the easy identification of trends to make connections between operations and results / to identify future problems which may arise / predict accidents.

Award [1] for identifying a reason why data visualization is used by the MADAS system and [1] for each subsequent development of that reason up to [3].

b.ii.

Answers may include:

Advantages:

There is a lot of data and if this is put together usefully then the causes of the accident can be better understood (systems).
Understanding the accident will mean that mitigation strategies can be developed (systems).
If the model/simulation was part of a training programme, then the simulations could be used to teach future boat pilots how to avoid the same kind of accidents.
Cheaper to run a model/situation through a simulation to see what will happen than to wait for it to happen in real life (cost).
The information from the model and simulation may allow the authorities to make changes to the regulations.
“What if” models/simulations can be easily run to observe the effects of changes in behaviour or conditions (values/ethics).

Disadvantages:

Models/Simulations are only as accurate/reliable as the data which is given to them. GIGO.
Models/Simulations might be biased because they have been created by a particular organization / company.
Models/Simulations are not the real thing so even if a person has trained on a simulation, there is no guarantee that this will mean they will know what to do if facing a possible accident.
Too many variables to account for and it is unclear which of these might have made the accident worse or better (systems, data, algorithms).

In part (c) of this question it is expected there will be a balance between the terminology related to digital systems and the terminology related to social and ethical impacts.

Keywords: transport, infrastructure, data, algorithm, accuracy, reliability, model, modelling, training, environment, systems, ethics, values

Refer to SL/HL paper 1, part c markbands when awarding marks. These can be found under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials > Digital society markbands and guidance document.