UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DATA
ANALYICS/MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MANAGEMENT
MDA 5203/MISM 5203: DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
DATE: DECEMBER 2016 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE [20 MARKS]
a) Define the term “neural network” (2 Marks)
b) Explain how neural networks relate to Decision Support Systems (6 Marks)
c) With the aid of one or more diagrams, describe the general structure of an artificial
neural network AND explain how it “learns” (6 Marks)
d) Explain how Linear Programming models are used to provide optimal decisions in
Decision Support Systems (6 Marks)
QUESTION TWO [15 MARKS]
a) Using an appropriate case, explain the meaning of term “data mining”
(3 Marks)
b) Explain the relevance of data mining to Decision Support Systems (6 Marks)
c) Explain how network models relate to Decision Support Systems (6 Marks)
QUESTION THREE [15 MARKS]
a) Define the terms “forward Chaining” and “backward chaining” (2 Marks).
b) Explain the relevance of these techniques to Decision Support Systems (5 Marks).
c) Using diagrams, show the order of evaluation of the following rule set using;
i) Forward chaining (4 Marks)
ii) Backward chaining (4 Marks)
Rule 1 : IF a THEN success ELSE failure
Rule 2 : IF (b ANDc) OR d THEN a
Rule 3: IF e AND f THEN b
Rule 4 : IF g OR (h AND i) THEN c
Rule 5 : IF g AND h THEN d
Initial conditions: {e,f,h,i} TRUE, {g} FALSE
QUESTION FOUR [15 MARKS]
a) Explain how expert systems relate to Decision Support Systems (5 Marks).
b) Discuss and provide a schematic diagram illustrating the relationships and
interdependencies of the following DSS components (10 Marks)
i) External data source
ii) Internal data source
iii) Model management sub-system
iv) External model
v) Knowledge management sub-system
vi) Knowledge base
vii)Networks (internet, intranet, extranet)
viii) User interface
ix) User
x) DBMS
