The development of an information system for drug misuse using self knowledge elicitation

In the past, information systems have been developed by system analysts and programmers with the involvement of end users being at a minimum. For a long time now, researchers (Lucas 1976, Alter 1996) have been stressing the importance of significant user involvement because it brings a number of beneficial results: involvement can be challenging and intrinsically satisfying; involvement usually results in more commitment to change; the user becomes more knowledgeable about change and so is better trained in the use of the system; a better solution to the problem is obtained because users know more about the present system than analysts; involvement means the user has retained much of the control over operations. The contribution that this thesis makes is the concept of self knowledge elicitation as an approach to prototyping, developing and maintaining information systems. A key feature of this concept is the high degree of user involvement in the design and development process. Self knowledge elicitation allows the user to build an information system using his/her own knowledge and expertise, and then also allows him/her to maintain and update this system. This concept initially emerged following a research project which involved the development of an Expert Advisory System for AIDS/HIV using traditional techniques of development, which were found to have a number of deficiencies including the time-factor. Both formal and informal evaluations of the self knowledge elicitation concept were carried out at 20 different sites throughout Central England, over a minimum period of nine months. The results of these trials indicated that this concept was acceptable and could be used as a practical, cost-effective way of developing and maintaining information systems - especially for the purposes of training and education. Significant technological advances in both hardware and software over recent years (advanced word processors, intemet/intranet, web browsers, e-mail, etc.), used appropriately, will increase the availability, functionality and acceptability of the self knowledge elicitation concept.

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