Cognitive mapping techniques for user-database interaction

• Main Authors: SIAU, Keng, TAN, X.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2006
• Subjects: Cognitive mapping; technical communication; user–database interaction; Databases and Information Systems
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/9382; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/10382/viewcontent/cognitive_mapping.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

In this paper, we first develop a framework of user-database interaction. Based on this framework, we then provide a discussion on how notable human factors influence various dimensions of user-database interaction. Following that, we propose using cognitive mapping techniques to overcome some cognitive and behavioral biases during user-database interaction. Three popular cognitive mapping techniques-causal mapping, semantic mapping, and concept mapping-are introduced as techniques to elicit an individual's belief systems regarding a problem domain. Through an example database application, we demonstrate how to use these cognitive mapping techniques to improve user-database interaction. Finally, we discuss the implications of this research for technical communicators during user-database interaction analysis and design.