The use of a knowledge-based system in conceptual data modeling

Based on a study of the data modeling process of novice designers, and the errors they commit, a knowledge-based system (KBS) was designed and developed. It was found that the performance of novice designers was significantly better when they utilized the KBS instead of a system with no knowledge base. Two versions of the KBS-one with a guidance interface that advised the designer on appropriate design choices and another with a restrictive interface that restricted the design choices available to the designer-were developed. The restrictive interface was rated as being significantly easier to use than the guidance inter-face. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.