Facilitating Database Queries: Graphical versus Numeric Preview

Abstract

Numeric query preview was compared to graphical preview for constructing ad-hoc database queries in a usability study. The overall objective was to provide evidence to make design recommendations for a future software prototype. Based upon an earlier filter/flow graphical prototype, a visual query builder was developed to enable end users with little pre-existing knowledge to graphically construct complex database queries containing multiple Boolean operators. Usability evaluation was conducted with 12 users each generating 12 queries. Overall query completion rates were 83%, affirming the usability of this prototype query builder. Numeric preview allowed faster query construction than visual preview for complex queries, but visual preview may have promoted increased verification of constructed queries. Participants were likely able to use and interpret numeric preview information more readily than graphical preview information. While further studies are needed, numeric query preview, possibly combined with visual preview, is recommended for future prototypes.

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