New
New
Lesson 2 of 9
  • Year 11
  • AQA

Database design

I can design a relational database structure for a given scenario.

Lesson 2 of 9
New
New
  • Year 11
  • AQA

Database design

I can design a relational database structure for a given scenario.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A DBMS is a software application that allows a database administrator to maintain one or more relational databases.
  2. A data model helps visualise how data is structured for a given scenario, including the relationships between elements.
  3. One of the easiest ways to show how data is organised is by using an entity-relationship diagram (ERD).

Keywords

  • DBMS - DataBase Management System: a software package that allows a database administrator to maintain one or more databases

  • ERD - Entity Relationship Diagram: a diagram that shows the relationship between two or more entities

  • Entity - an entity is a single object, place, person or thing

Common misconception

A DBMS is only used for storing data.

While storage is a major function, a DBMS also provides data security, integrity and querying capabilities.


To help you plan your year 11 computer science lesson on: Database design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson introduces learners to the concept of a DBMS. You may wish to demonstrate the functionality of a DBMS by using an open source system such as MySQL or DB Browser for SQLite.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a database?

Correct answer: An organised collection of data
A single number
A type of software for editing images
A random list of files

Q2.
What is the name for a category heading in a database table?

Correct Answer: Field, attribute

Q3.
Match the term to its meaning:

Correct Answer:Record,A set of related fields for one object

A set of related fields for one object

Correct Answer:Field,A category heading in a table

A category heading in a table

Correct Answer:Primary key,An attribute that uniquely identifies a record

An attribute that uniquely identifies a record

Correct Answer:Foreign key,A field that links to a primary key in another table

A field that links to a primary key in another table

Q4.
Which of these could be a record in a database of books?

Title
Author
Correct answer: All the details about one book
Genre

Q5.
Why do databases use fields?

To make tables look bigger
Correct answer: To organise data into categories
To store images
To lock information

Q6.
What is the main purpose of a primary key?

To decorate the table
To store text only
To hide information
Correct answer: To ensure each record is unique

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What does DBMS stand for?

Correct Answer: DataBase Management System

Q2.
Which of the following is a main function of a DBMS besides storage?

Drawing pictures
Printing documents
Correct answer: Providing data security and integrity
Playing music

Q3.
What is an entity in a database?

A type of software
Correct answer: Something about which data is stored
A computer virus
A data backup

Q4.
Match each database term to its correct description:

Correct Answer:Table,A collection of related data arranged in rows and columns

A collection of related data arranged in rows and columns

Correct Answer:Field,A single category of data within a table, such as "Name"

A single category of data within a table, such as "Name"

Correct Answer:Record,All the data about one item, shown as a row in a table

All the data about one item, shown as a row in a table

Correct Answer:Query,A search or request to find or analyse specific data in a database

A search or request to find or analyse specific data in a database

Correct Answer:Report,A formatted summary or printout of selected data

A formatted summary or printout of selected data

Correct Answer:Form,A user-friendly way to enter or view data in a database

A user-friendly way to enter or view data in a database

Q5.
What is the abbreviated name for the diagram used to represent how different parts of a database are linked?

Correct Answer: ERD

Q6.
Put these steps in order for designing a relational database:

1 - Identify the entities
2 - Determine relationships between entities
3 - Draw an entity-relationship diagram (ERD)
4 - Create the database structure in a DBMS