METHODS COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Two Methods Compare and Contrast Using the NIMSAD Framework



Two Methods Compare and Contrast Using the NIMSAD Framework

1. Introduction

Along with the rapid development in computer technology from the 1970s? development of information systems has emerged to meet user needs and system requirements in organizations. (Cook? 1992)Failure of information systems development projects is mainly caused by miscommunication and misspecification of requirements ? ? and. Standish Group's report listed incomplete requirements and specifications as the second most important factor that caused projects to be challenged and the top factor that caused projects to be impaired and ultimately canceled. (Cook? 1992) A survey on a corporation and an analysis of the corporation's planning database showed that 40% of the requirements specified in the feasibility and requirements phase of the life cycle were redefined in the later phases? which cost this corporation an average of 50% more than the budgeted amount. (Avison? 1995)

IS researchers propose the use of system engineering tools for information modeling. This study discusses in detail three of the well-known systems development techniques that have been used as information modeling methods:

(i) Use case diagram

(ii) Rich picture diagram

(iii) Entity-relationship diagram

This study also proposes the use of cognitive mapping methods for information modeling. Researchers believed that “advances in cognitive psychology and related sciences lead us to the conclusion that knowledge of human cognitive behavior is sufficiently advanced to enable its applications in computer science and other practical domains”. (Davis? 1982? 4) There has been a strong and growing interest for researchers to understand IS stakeholders' cognition about information systems and technology they develop and use. Kelly's personal construct theory and its methodological extensions? the RepGrid and the causal mapping techniques have been proposed and employed in a variety of published IS studies with different research objectives (e.g. ? ? and ). (Avison? 1995)

Cognitive mapping techniques have the potential to facilitate information modeling because of their capability to capture and represent users' needs and systems requirements in the form of a mental map. Three different forms of cognitive mapping methods investigated here are:

(i) Trochim's concept mapping

(ii) Repertory grid (RepGrid)

(iii) Causal mapping

The importance of information modeling has been recognized by practitioners and researchers? but little has been explored to analyze the available information modeling methods or to evaluate them in terms of their strengths? weaknesses? effectiveness and philosophical foundations. (Davis? 1982? 4)The objective of this research is to enhance our knowledge and understanding of information modeling methods and to compare and evaluate them from different aspects. Because the proposed information modeling methods have their pros and cons? and one method is not suited for all situations? we attempt to evaluate and compare the methods in detail by exploring the Stillings et al. critical question list from a cognitive perspective. The analysis using the Stillings et al. (Eden? 1992? 261-265)question is intended to explore and evaluate the strengths and limitations of each method with respect to the information modeling domain. (Avison? 1990)

2. An outline of each methodology

2.1. Information modeling methods

Information modeling is ...