Modern computing devices and user interfaces have necessitated highly interactive querying. Some of these interfaces issue a large number of dynamically changing and continuous queries to the backend. In others, users expect to inspect results during ...
Metaphors have been proved useful in facilitating learning and using an operating system or various other tools. The paper shows, through the VISTA(/sup */) query language, the benefits of using metaphors in the field of database querying by end users. ...
Query containment is the problem of checking whether for all databases the answer to a query is a subset of the answer to a second query. In several data management tasks, such as data integration, mobile computing, etc., the data of interest are only ...
Dimitrios Zissis
We have all asked questions in our daily conversations for which we have received unexpected or wrong responses. This is not uncommon in the digital world either, even when related to forming queries for databases. Formulating a correct database query is a complex and challenging issue even for experienced users. Furthermore, even a syntactically correct query may return unreasonable results, due to undetected conceptual errors in the formation of the query. Experienced users always validate these results against their knowledge of the field. A problem arises when novice users formulate queries that are syntactically correct, but may return unexpected data, because they lack the prior knowledge to validate the results. This paper explores the benefits and drawbacks of supplying these users with the prior information required to form ex ante expectations of query results. The authors experiment with providing users not only with prior period information, but also with engaging messages on how to make use of that information to validate their results. It is interesting that, according to the authors' findings, the mere availability of information for forming ex ante expectations led to no difference in query information. Users seem to ignore information without encouragement and engaging messages. To assess the reasonableness of their results, the authors conducted a series of interesting experiments, which suggest that new users of databases might make fewer errors not only if they receive prior period information, but also if they are encouraged to use the information to form ex ante expectations for query results. In my opinion, this paper presents a comprehensive and sound statement with wider implications beyond training users to query databases. User training is a critical issue to the success of all software, especially in business environments. According to these findings, user training that is designed with interventions and encouraging, engaging messages is less likely to be ignored by users. This is a well-written paper and the authors are obviously experts on the issue. I would recommend it to anyone designing user training or user interfaces. Online Computing Reviews Service
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