Computers in Business

Question Maximum word count 2000 words, not counting screen shots.Your task is to create a prototype decision support system to help with animal management on Bunny Island. Scientists want to be able to analyse what happens if they cull foxes or if a virus attacks the rabbits. Implement a model of the predator-prey relationship between foxes and rabbits in a spreadsheet as we did in class (or see the Information Systems @ Work case on Page 288 of the core text). The values you use for the populations and other parameters are unimportant – it is the design of your spreadsheet that matters. Create a report that shows the following:

1. A screenshot or series of screenshots showing your spreadsheet.

2. A list of formula you have used (you might be able to show these in the screenshots).

3. A graph to show the oscillation between the two populations over time.

4. An analysis of what happens if the rate of predation increases – how high does it have to go before all the rabbits die out?

5. An analysis of a potential virus that starts killing foxes (that is, the death rate increases) – what happens to the number of rabbits?

6. A short discussion of which is more useful in making decisions – the spreadsheet text or the graphs you have produced?

7. A short discussion of the pros and cons of Microsoft Excel versus LibreOffice.Note that the core text is Principles of Business Information Systems by Stair,Reynolds & Chesney, Third Edition.