Authors: Andrew Gemino, Yair Wand
Tags: 2005, conceptual modeling
Two versions of the entity-relationship model (ERM) are compared in this empirical study. One modelgrammar uses optional properties and the other employs mandatory properties and subtypes. The optionalgrammar produces apparently less complex models than the mandatory with subtypes. An ontologicalanalysis indicates that mandatory properties may be superior to optional properties in providing clearerrepresentations. The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning is used to hypothesize superior local infor-mation provided by mandatory properties can lead to improved viewer understanding of a model. Anexperiment comparing the two ERM grammars is described and results confirm the use of mandatory rela-tionships leads to improved understanding even though the model is apparently more complex. Theseresults suggest clarity within the model may be more important than the apparent complexity of the modelwhen a model is used for developing domain understanding.Read the full paper here: https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S0169023X04002332?token=F5955AA2D59C5509241C05DBBFC6C6C5B3DC79A4EB779A72D31CACF6A5235F96C6D115A7D82C785D54BCDD1551C97614
