Development of a Conceptual Query Language: Adopting the User-Centered Methodology

Abstract

The pervasiveness of end-user computing tools in the home and in workplaces, as well as the linkage of PCs into networks, have led to a convergence of end-user computing and corporate computing. As a result of this phenomenon, and because the productivity of end-users with these tools depends on how well suited the tools are to users, the issue of the suitability of computing tools for end-users is a valid concern for organizations. In the area of databases (DBs), the concern is that of ensuring the suitability of ad hoc querying and reporting tools for end-users. The significance of this concern lies in the realization that organizations and DB users are depending on more and more complex DBs, for example those being placed on the Web. DB researchers therefore argue for the adoption of the user-centered approach in developing these tools, to ensure suitability. The adoption of this approach in the development of the Conceptual Query Language (CQL) is reported in this paper. Also discussed is the series of experimental tests conducted to ascertain the impact of the approach on the usability of CQL. The test results suggest an improvement in user performance with and perception of CQL as a result of user participation in its development process.

The Effects of User Characteristics on Query Performance in the Presence of Information Request Ambiguity

“…Hence, organizations should attempt to train users to deal with query complexity 18 and information request ambiguity before modifying their training programs for personality 19 characteristics. 20 In today's highly competitive business environments (Goldstein and Storey, 1994; Cascia and 23 Sanseverino, 1997), organizations are encouraging managers and other end users to query 24 information repositories themselves (Delligatta and Umbaugh, 1993;Owei, 2003). Frequently, 25 the queries these users compose are to satisfy information requests they receive from other 26 stakeholders, e.g., managers, trading partners, and regulatory officials.…”

A Survey on Visual Query Systems in the Web Era

“…For several reasons, there are many papers whose database representation is unknown. For example, paper [27] hides the database and tries to guess the paths for the query from the entities chosen by the user.…”

“…For example, the data model may be presented in a paper in textual form but there is no explanation about the way it is presented to the user. For example, paper [27] hides the database and tries to guess the paths for the query from the entities chosen by the user.…”

“…In paper [27], the schema is not directly presented to the user. Basically, the user specifies the beginning and the end of the query and CQL uses built-in metaknowledge about the application schema to find the complete path.…”

“…With the aid of users, in paper [27] a form-based interface for querying databases was developed (see Figure 30). This interface followed well-established guidelines on the design of human interfaces.…”