Database Design Support: An Empirical Investigation of Perceptions and Performance

Although the success of large DB design in companies is, in part, dependent on the performance of information systems (IS) professionals, research on their performance, preferences, and perceptions is sparse. This article contributes by reporting the results of an experiment performed with senior-level MIS students who served as surrogates for IS professionals. The results of the study indicate that the semantic-object (top-down) approach is perceived as superior to the data-element (bottom up) approach in information modeling, task execution, and comprehensibility. Personal perceptions and task execution were influenced by training, task complexity, and selected methodology. The subjects perceived relationship specification as a major factor in performing design. This factor was also found to be the most difficult component in the experimental task. Additionally, the subjects did not like deriving relationships. The methodology chosen did not necessarily affect task execution but was more influential in determining the subject’s perceived job satisfaction. Recommendations are provided to MIS management based on these results.