Design Recommendations for Query Languages
Abstract
The existing human factors literature on query language is both sparse and scattered. This paper seeks to collect and review that literature. The first section of the paper introduces the subject of query languages. In the second and third sections, the topics of natural and formal query languages are respectively discussed. These two types of query languages are reviewed with the objective of determining their potential for expanding the population of computer users. The fourth section considers some general issues pertinent to both types of query languages. These issues include the ability of people to deal with logical quantifiers, the user's concept of data organization, mixed initiative dialogues, and the use of abbreviations. Methods for experimentally evaluating specific query language features and research on person-to-person communication are also discussed here. To focus the findings reported in the preceding sections, the fifth section summarizes the implications of the research performed to date. Next, the sixth section presents possible new research which would be of value to the designers of Army tactical information systems. The paper concludes with two appendixes. Appendix A discusses human factors review papers concerned with the design of interactive systems. Appendix B presents a compendium of design recommendations directed towards the system designer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA115894
Entities
People
- S. L. Ehrenreich
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences