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Semantic Structuring in Analyst Acquisition and Representation of Facts in Requirements Analysis

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  • George M. Marakas

    (University of Maryland, Department of Information Systems, College Park, Maryland 20742)

  • Joyce J. Elam

    (Florida International University, Decision Sciences and Information Systems, Miami, Florida 33199)

Abstract

The determination of information requirements is one of the most crucial stages in the software design and development process (Montezemi 1988). It is during this stage that the greatest degree of interaction occurs between the analyst and the user (Lauer et al. 1992). Despite the system development method employed, the functional success of many aspects of requirements determination ultimately rests on how well the user(s) and analyst(s) communicate (Holtzblatt and Beyer 1995). The purpose of this paper is to report the results obtain from a laboratory experiment that investigated the effects of a semantic structuring process of inquiry on the process of interview-derived information acquisition and the subsequent overall correctness of the logical representation of the facts obtained. The study focused on the specific question types used by systems analysts and the role their semantic construction played in representing the information flows in a business system. Three underlying semantic patterns of questions emerged from the analysis. The results showed that certain question types were associated with increased accuracy of logical representations regardless of analyst experience level. Further, the semantic and process patterns that emerged were also directly related to accurate representation of facts and demonstrated an experience-level independence. The results indicate that disciplined questioning strategies are not necessarily learned from practice and they can be improved via structured training. Each of the patterns provide insight into the questioning process employed and the effectiveness of different strategies of inquiry. Implications for both the practitioner and the academic research communities with regard to analyst interview behavior are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • George M. Marakas & Joyce J. Elam, 1998. "Semantic Structuring in Analyst Acquisition and Representation of Facts in Requirements Analysis," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 9(1), pages 37-63, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:9:y:1998:i:1:p:37-63
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.9.1.37
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. C. W. Churchman & A. H. Schainblatt, 1965. "The Researcher and The Manager: A Dialectic of Implementation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 11(4), pages 69-87, February.
    2. Russell L. Ackoff, 1967. "Management Misinformation Systems," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 14(4), pages 147-156, December.
    3. Richard J. Boland, Jr., 1978. "The Process and Product of System Design," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(9), pages 887-898, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luis F. Luna‐Reyes & Laura J. Black & Anthony M. Cresswell & Theresa A. Pardo, 2008. "Knowledge sharing and trust in collaborative requirements analysis," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 24(3), pages 265-297, September.
    2. Browne, Glenn J. & Pitts, Mitzi G., 2004. "Stopping rule use during information search in design problems," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 95(2), pages 208-224, November.
    3. Cibej, Joze Andrej, 2002. "Operations research education for forgotten populations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(2), pages 225-231, July.

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