Assignment # 4 - Query your data base

Objectives:

  1. Become familiar with the basic types of queries.
  2. Conduct queries from one or more tables using single or multiple search criteria.
  3. Group records and calculate summary statistics.
  4. Create calculated fields using functions and/or numeric, text and date fields.
  5. Sort, save and print your results.

Preparation:

  1. Read chapters 4 and skim 8 on queries from Access 2000 Guidebook by Maggie Trigg and Phyllis Dobson.
  2. Practice with the files that you have downloaded from your Student CD in the previous exercise.  If you had trouble with the setup program, you can download the practice files below:  
  3. Master the terms in the Data Dictionary section of chapter 4.
  4. After reading chapter 4, review what you have learned by going through the Fast Track section. 
  5. Make sure that you can answer the questions under each Test Yourself section for chapter 4.

Tasks:

  1. Run a query in which you specify a search criteria on one field and then on multiple fields.  Experiment with the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT.
  2. Run a query in which you calculate a new field from existing fields.  Common examples are formulas for calculating fields such as age, length of service, vacation days remaining, total price, etc.
  3. Demonstrate that you know how to pull fields from multiple tables in conducting a query.
  4. Perform several queries on your data base in which you calculate summary statistics.  Common examples include subtotals, totals, counts, averages, minimums and maximums.
  5. Build an update, append and delete query.

Getting Help:

While working with queries, you may get stuck.  When this happens, do not spend an hour spinning your wheels and getting frustrated.  Instead, go to the the class bulletin board and ask your colleagues what keystrokes will perform the desired function(s).  Post your question under the topic

 Questions on Assignment # 4  

Skip over the problem area and work on another part of the assignment.  Later, return to the bulletin board to see if a colleague has answered your question.  

You may also receive help from me or my graduate assistant.  You may contact us by calling the department office at 618-650-3762 or  e-mail us at  dhostet@siue.edu or jburrou@siue.edu.  I will also ask him to periodically check the questions posted on the bulletin board.

last revised January 10, 2002 by dhostet@siue.edu