How Inconsistencies Between Multiple Conceptual Modeling Scripts Affect Readers’ Understanding

2022 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Jabbari, Mohammad; Werder, Karl

Abstract: IS professionals often use multiple conceptual modeling scripts to develop an u ... Expand

Abstract: IS professionals often use multiple conceptual modeling scripts to develop an understanding of a domain. However, using multiple scripts introduces potential inconsistencies between scrips which can reduce script readers' cognitive ability to develop an understanding. While there are computational methods to avoid or detect inconsistencies, there is a lack of studies on how individuals deal with inconsistencies when they are performing different tasks. We developed a 2x2 between-subject experimental design to investigate the effects of syntactic vs semantic inconsistency on two different systems analysis and design tasks. We expect to contribute to conceptual modeling research, by investigating the effect of inconsistencies, comparing the effects of two tasks, and by elaborating the on role of a pragmatic factor, domain familiarity. Collapse

Topics: task productivity systems development problem solving systems development life cycle accounting

Methods: design science class diagram activity diagram experimental design conceptual modelling

How Do Individuals Understand Multiple Conceptual Modeling Scripts?

2022 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 5

Authors: Jabbari, Mohammad; Recker, Jan; Green, Peter; Werder, Karl

Abstract: Because most real-world domains intended to be supported by an information syst ... Expand

Abstract: Because most real-world domains intended to be supported by an information system are complex, practitioners often use multiple different types of conceptual modeling scripts to understand them. We performed two experiments to examine how two theoretical factors of multiple scriptscombined ontological completeness and ontological overlap-influence how users develop an understanding of a real-world domain from multiple scripts. Results of the first experiment show that to some degree, ontological overlap improves participants' understanding of a domain, more so than combined ontological completeness. In the second experiment, we tracked the eye movement data of participants to understand how ontological overlap between scripts impacts users' information search and cognitive integration processes. We found that some occurrence of semantically similar constructs between scripts helps individuals to identify and relate constructs presented in different scripts. Users, therefore, can identify and focus on script areas that are relevant to their problem tasks. However, a high level of ontological overlap decreases the attention paid by participants to relevant task-specific areas because they spend more time searching for relevant information. Together, our findings both refine and extend existing conceptual modeling theory. We clarify the dialectics between the full and parsimonious real-world representations offered through multiple scripts and the individual's understanding of the domain that is represented by those scripts. Collapse

Topics: problem solving task productivity systems development IS education information storage and retrieval system

Methods: experiment design science conceptual modelling unified modeling language class diagram

Theories: theory of combined ontological completeness and overlap representation theory

Developing an Adaptive Building Evacuation Simulation and Decision Support Framework using Cognitive Agent-Based Modelling

2022 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Rollan, Therese Anne; Marquez, Leorey; Chua, Caslon

Abstract: Preparing for an unprecedented event involving the movement of populations could ... Expand

Abstract: Preparing for an unprecedented event involving the movement of populations could take up large amounts of resources if done conventionally. The main motivation of this study is the behavioural modification approach which is an underexplored potential in evacuation dynamics, offering new possibilities in terms of practicality and ease of implementation. This paper tackles an adaptive building evacuation simulation and decision support framework that will serve as a guide to evaluate and propose evacuation strategies for disaster management researchers and decision-making authorities. The framework mainly involves the formulation of the cognitive agent model, the evacuation simulation, and the decision support. The timeliness in the Philippine context of the long-overdue “Big One” earthquake, the vulnerability of the case study, and the capability of the framework to be a standard guide where components can be customized by users based on the disaster type and site-specific requirements make this research a significant undertaking. Collapse

Topics: decision support earthquake decision making personality emergency management

Methods: simulation survey structural equation modeling case study cluster analysis

Synergistically Employing User Stories and Use Cases in the Practice and Teaching of Systems Analysis and Design

2022 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Spurrier, Gary; Topi, Heikki

Abstract: Over the past three decades, user stories and use cases have become increasingl ... Expand

Abstract: Over the past three decades, user stories and use cases have become increasingly dominant systems analysis and design (SA&D) requirements techniques. Both support articulating functional requirements for software projects, although they evolved within different software development approaches-user stories from agile development and use cases from traditional software engineering-and they differ significantly in terms of their grammar, syntax, and the level of detail they can capture. As such, user stories and use cases are neither synonyms nor mutually exclusive alternatives. Rather, they can and should be complementary in the systems requirements process. Unfortunately, this mix of similarities and differences-coupled with a lack of formal standards for either-make understanding and synergistically employing user stories with use cases confusing and challenging for practitioners and students alike. To address this, this paper first provides a descriptive overview of the evolution of user stories, use cases, and their interrelationship. Second, it fills a gap in the literature by providing a prescriptive, detailed approach to employing user stories and use cases together. This prescriptive approach is illustrated via a comprehensive tutorial example, providing practitioners with actionable skills and SA&D teachers and students with a new pedagogical tool. Collapse

Topics: electronic commerce requirements analysis system quality agile software development systems development

Methods: activity diagram case study design science design methodology

Using Clinical Pathways To Virtual Coach Patients For Home Rehabilitation

2021 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 5

Authors: Gand, Kai; Stark, Jeannette; Schlieter, Hannes; Gißke, Carola; Burwitz, Martin

Abstract: When transitioning from the hospital to the home context, elderly patients need ... Expand

Abstract: When transitioning from the hospital to the home context, elderly patients need motivation and help to engage in rehabilitation. Prior research supposes Virtual Coaches (VCs) to keep motivated and to serve as a companion. Yet, using VCs for home rehabilitation requires various technologies (e.g., smart sensors and machine learning) and stakeholders. In this paper, we report about a case study as part of the vCare project on using clinical pathways to set the procedural precept for integrating diverse technologies and stakeholders for home rehabilitation. We contribute to design artifacts and to design knowledge. For design knowledge, we systemize requirements that help design further modeling languages for modeling clinical pathways, derive further clinical pathways, or integrate further technologies or stakeholders in supervised care. Furthermore, our design artifacts may be used to investigate research ideas of other IS domains such as gamification or anthropomorphism. Collapse

Topics: extensible markup language artificial intelligence knowledge base gamification

Methods: modeling language design science design artifact business process model and notation survey

How do individuals decide which modeling scripts to use during systems analysis and design?

2021 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Jabbari, Mohammad; Recker, Jan; Green, Peter

Abstract: Because most information systems in real-world domains are complex, practitioner ... Expand

Abstract: Because most information systems in real-world domains are complex, practitioners often use different types of conceptual modeling scripts to understand them. Modeling methods such as UML, for example, provide more than a dozen scripts for practitioners to use. We study how script readers decide which of several different scripts to use during systems analysis and design tasks. We carried out a free-simulation experiment to test how users select scripts based on two factors: combined ontological completeness and ontological overlap. We find that participants indeed decided to select more than one script to achieve a more complete domain representation. But, when they selected more than three scripts, they decided to remove scripts and reduce combined completeness to increase the clarity of the combined representation. Our results indicate that script readers prefer relatively less complete scripts with high levels of clarity over more complete, but more overlapping, script combinations. We detail the implications these findings have for the theory and the practice of conceptual modeling. Collapse

Topics: problem solving systems development logistics management decision making use case modeling

Methods: design science experiment unified modeling language conceptual modelling descriptive statistic

Theories: theory of combined ontological completeness and overlap representation theory

Business Process Simulation on Procedural Graphical Process Models

2021 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 0

Authors: Rosenthal, Kristina; Ternes, Benjamin; Strecker, Stefan

Abstract: Business process simulation marks an essential technique for analyzing business ... Expand

Abstract: Business process simulation marks an essential technique for analyzing business processes and for reasoning about process improvement. With first contributions dating back to the mid-1990s, computerized business process simulation has been a continuing research focus and is widely acknowledged as foundational to Business Process Management research and practice. Reviewing contributions to the field published between 1990 and 2018, the authors assess the state of research on business process simulation and develop an organizing overview of research contributions discussing simulation approaches, tool support, results visualization, use context, application purposes, and adoption barriers. Findings inform future research on business process simulation by discussing paths for behavioral research on the use of business process simulation, user requirements, and adoption barriers as well as complementary paths for design science research addressing limitations of present approaches and simulation tool support. Collapse

Topics: business process management system support database system business process management system user requirement

Methods: simulation modeling language business process modeling design science business process model and notation

Effective Presentation of Ontological Overlap and Conceptual Model Comprehension

2020 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Djurica, Djordje; Mendling, Jan

Abstract: Conceptual models serve as an important means to help IS professionals grasp a ... Expand

Abstract: Conceptual models serve as an important means to help IS professionals grasp a holistic picture of an information system. However, in most cases, the use of only one model is not sufficient to provide this information. For that reason, pieces of information are represented using multiple models and grammars, which partially overlap. The literature is still silent on how this overlap can be effectively presented to the users. Our research aims to close this gap. We plan to conduct an eye-tracking experiment to investigate our hypotheses. The results will contribute to the theory of combined ontological completeness and overlap and provide practical advice on how the connection between multiple models should be presented. Collapse

Topics: problem solving

Methods: oculometry design science unified modeling language experiment conceptual modelling

Theories: cognitive theory theory of combined ontological completeness and overlap dual-coding theory theory of human problem solving

Experimentation in Conceptual Modeling Research: A Systematic Review

2019 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Fischer, Markus; Rosenthal, Kristina; Strecker, Stefan

Abstract: Experiments are increasingly applied as a data generation method in conceptual ... Expand

Abstract: Experiments are increasingly applied as a data generation method in conceptual modeling research. Conceptual models, modeling languages and, in particular, their graphical notations are subject to experimental studies. The present comprehensive survey examines the current state of experimentation in conceptual modeling research. Based on an exhaustive sampling of publications, the study identifies and analyzes 98 publications reporting on experiments in conceptual modeling research published between 2005 and 2018 to develop an organizing overview along essential methodological dimensions. Findings reveal a remarkable variety in theoretical foundations, research designs and experiment procedures, and suggest to rethink hypotheses development and to further develop methodical standards for experimentation in conceptual modeling research. Collapse

Topics: database system

Methods: design science experiment conceptual modelling unified modeling language modeling language

Theories: cognitive load theory

Modeling and Analyzing Incremental Natures of Developing Software

2019 | ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Jiang, Jian-Min; Hong, Zhong; Chen, Yangyang

Abstract: The basic premise of iterative and evolutionary project management is that a pro ... Expand

Abstract: The basic premise of iterative and evolutionary project management is that a project is divided into early, frequent, and short duration delivery steps. Each step attempts to deliver some real value to stakeholders. The increment size and iteration length usually depend on profitability, finance, deadline, and so on, rather than the functionality of a developing system. It is difficult to guarantee the correctness in every iteration step. In this article, we propose a method of ensuring the correctness of iterative design in terms of deadlock-freedom of the behavior of software. The method first obtains the correct (deadlock-free) atomic subsystems of a system using a decomposition approach. In the iterative development process, the method then requires that one atomic subsystem or the composition of multiple atomic subsystems should be regarded as one increment. Every increment is naturally correct and can be completely independently developed, independently deployed, and independently maintained. The currently released system in each iteration step is naturally guaranteed to be correct. It is not necessary for developers to consider the composition of the increment and the previously released system may cause flaws and errors. We also discuss the approach for ensuring correctness when design modifications are made in an iteration step. Finally, we explore the automatic decomposition of a system into multiple atomic subsystems and present the corresponding algorithm. A case demonstrates these results. Collapse

Topics: open source systems development system development method systems design virtualization technology

Methods: computational algorithm design science unified modeling language activity diagram literature study