Which error would a spell check not find?

"there" used where "their" is meant. "There" is a correctly spelt word.

What is double data entry?

entering data twice so the two versions can be compared. It is a method of verification.

A number 5738 is typed as 5378. What kind of error is this?

a transposition error. Two digits have swapped places.

the first line of a paragraph alone at the bottom of a page. A widow is the last line stranded at the top of the next page.

Why is validation needed as well as verification?

Verification only checks that data matches the source, not that it is sensible. The source itself may contain unreasonable data.

Proofing: spell check, validation and verification · Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology

In plain words

However careful you are, mistakes get in. Proofing is finding them before anyone else does. The software helps, but it cannot think, so some of the checking has to be done by a person reading carefully.

7 things to know

A spell check compares each word with its dictionary and flags any it does not find, offering suggestions. It misses a wrong word that is spelt correctly, such as "form" for "from". It also flags names and technical terms, and its suggestions are not always right.
Validation is a check made by software that data being entered is sensible: a range check, character check, length check, type check, format check or presence check.
Verification checks that data has been copied accurately from its source. Visual checking: the entered data is compared by eye with the original. Double data entry: the data is typed in twice and the computer compares the two versions.
Both are needed. Validation cannot tell whether sensible-looking data matches the source. Verification cannot tell whether the source itself was sensible.
Proofreading looks for transposed numbers (64 typed as 46), spelling errors, inconsistent spacing and inconsistent use of capital letters.
It also looks for layout faults: inconsistent line spacing, blank pages, tables or lists split across two pages, styles applied inconsistently, and widows and orphans.
A widow is the last line of a paragraph alone at the top of a page. An orphan is the first line of a paragraph alone at the bottom of a page.

Worked example

A sentence reads "The meeting is on the forth of March at there office." The spell check finds nothing wrong. Explain why.

"Forth" and "there" are real words, spelt correctly, so they are in the dictionary.
The spell check only tests whether each word exists. It cannot tell that "fourth" and "their" were meant.
A person proofreading would notice both.

Tips and tricks

Validation: is it sensible? Verification: was it copied correctly? Neither proves the data is true.
A transposition error is two characters swapped. It is the classic error that only verification catches.

5 questions, about 2 minutes.

It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.

Proofing: spell check, validation and verification: 5 questions and answers

These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.

Which error would a spell check not find?
- "recieve" for "receive"
- "there" used where "their" is meant (the answer)
- "adress" for "address"
- "tommorow" for "tomorrow"
"There" is a correctly spelt word.
What is double data entry?
- a type of validation
- entering data twice so the two versions can be compared (the answer)
- saving a file twice
- printing two copies
It is a method of verification.
A number 5738 is typed as 5378. What kind of error is this?
- a spelling error
- a transposition error (the answer)
- a range error
- a format error
Two digits have swapped places.
What is an orphan?
- the last line of a paragraph alone at the top of a page
- the first line of a paragraph alone at the bottom of a page (the answer)
- a page with no text
- a heading with no style
A widow is the last line stranded at the top of the next page.
Why is validation needed as well as verification?
- They do the same job.
- Verification only checks that data matches the source, not that it is sensible. (the answer)
- Validation is done by eye.
- Verification is automatic.
The source itself may contain unreasonable data.

5 questions

Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.

Worksheet

2 questions, 4 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.

Proofing: spell check, validation and verification

Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology 0417 · 4 marks · papermunch.org

Name ______________________________ Date ______________

Explain why a document should still be proofread after a spell check has been used.[2]
Show answerHide answer
A spell check does not find a wrong word that is spelt correctly, such as "there" for "their". It also cannot check that names or numbers are right.
I got this one
Describe the two methods of verification.[2]
Show answerHide answer
Visual checking: the data entered is compared by eye with the original. Double data entry: the data is entered twice and the two versions are compared by the computer.
I got this one

Answers: Proofing: spell check, validation and verification

1. A spell check does not find a wrong word that is spelt correctly, such as "there" for "their". It also cannot check that names or numbers are right.
2. Visual checking: the data entered is compared by eye with the original. Double data entry: the data is entered twice and the two versions are compared by the computer.