Abstract
The present study examines the difficulties novice data modelers face when asked to provide a data model addressing a given problem. In order to map these difficulties and their causes, two short data modeling problems were given to 82 students who had completed an introductory course in database modeling. Both problems involve three entity sets with relationships between them, either ternary or binary. The students' solutions were classified according to the types of errors they committed. More than half of the students provided faulty solutions. After an analysis of these results, open interviews were conducted with a selected group of students in order to figure out the reasons underlying the students' erroneous decisions regarding the data model. Among the reasons for their erroneous solutions were insufficient experience, lack of reflection on their solution, and lack of immediate feedback. In addition, the authors suggest instructional modifications derived from the research results.
Highlights
The research literature includes an academic discussion on the difficulties novice modelers may encounter when designing a data model addressing given requirements in general (Dey et al, 1999) and regarding ternary relationships in particular (Hitchman, 2003; Batra, 2007)
In order to map these difficulties and their causes, two short data modeling problems were given to 82 students who had completed an introductory course in database modeling
The aim of this study is to explore the difficulties novice data modelers encounter as novice data modelers regarding relationships between three entities
Summary
The research literature includes an academic discussion on the difficulties novice modelers may encounter when designing a data model addressing given requirements in general (Dey et al, 1999) and regarding ternary relationships in particular (Hitchman, 2003; Batra, 2007) They encounter many difficulties, mostly concerned with cognitive complexity; among them, No Flexibility for errors, lack of immediate feedback, and information overload (Batra, 2007). They study how to identify entities and how to set relationships between them. They learn how to transform the entities and relationships into tables, fields and keys in order to form a relational schema
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