Intuitive Understanding of Domain-specific Modeling Languages: Proposition and Application of an Evaluation Technique

Intuitive Understanding of Domain-specific Modeling Languages: Proposition and Application of an Evaluation Technique

Abstract

For correct utilization of a modeling language and comprehension of a conceptual model, the graphical representation, i.e., the notation, is of paramount importance. A graphical notation, especially for domain-specific languages, should be aligned to the knowledge, beliefs, and expectations of the intended model users. More concretely, the notation of a modeling language should support computational offloading for the human user by increasing perceptual processing (i.e., seeing) and reducing cognitive processing (i.e., thinking and understanding). Consequently, method engineers should design intuitively understandable notations. However, there is a lack of support in evaluating the intuitiveness of a notation. This paper proposes an empirical evaluation technique for bridging that research gap. The technique comprises three experiments that are supposed to be executed in sequence and independently from each other. Usefulness of the technique is shown by an exemplary evaluation of a business continuity management modeling language.

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Authors
  • Bork, Dominik
  • Schrueffer, Christine
  • Karagiannis, Dimitris
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Shortfacts
Category
Paper in Conference Proceedings or in Workshop Proceedings (Paper)
Event Title
38th International Conference on Conceptual Modeling
Divisions
Knowledge Engineering
Event Location
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Event Type
Conference
Event Dates
04.11.2019-07.11.2019
ISSN/ISBN
978-3-030-33222-8
Page Range
pp. 311-319
Date
November 2019
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