User-Computer Interface Requirements for Remote Access Data Bases

Abstract

Remote Access Data Base (RADB) technology offers a variety of opportunities for rapidly acquiring and disseminating information. However, if the exchange of information is to be optimized, issues concerning the RADB user-computer interface (UCI) must be identified and addressed. For the purposes of this study, the major issues in the operation of RADBs focused primarily on the search and retrieval requirements of the remote user, who is unlikely to be willing to devote much time or effort to learn about the data base system. Many remote users will fall into the category of low sophistication with regard to details of the design and operation of the system. To resolve these issues, it is desirable to include features in the RADB UCI which will enhance the effectiveness and power of the search while minimizing the effort required td master use of the system. Differences in features related to the design and operation of the user-computer interfaces of the various RADB shells were identified from product literature. These differences were translated into questionnaire items designed to allow respondents to indicate the relative importance of each feature. The survey was organized into three areas: user access, search and retrieval protocols, and on-line help. Users ranging in experience from daily access to yearly access, were surveyed. The data were subjected to the appropriate statistical analyses. The preliminary results revealed that query procedures and search and retrieval protocols are of utmost importance to the users surveyed. Guidelines of RADB UCI design were developed from the results of both the surveys and literature reviews.