Abstract
This paper describes a study which compared learning and problem-solving performance by secretaries using two different approaches to selecting records from the contents of a data file. One of the methods evaluated became the Record Selection facility for the IBM Displaywriter-Reportpack program. The two approaches compared were: the graphic approach, similar in structure to Query By Example; and, the linear approach, similar in structure to Structured Query Language. The evaluation was done early in the product development cycle using on-line simulations of the user interfaces for the two methods. The study demonstrates how simulation of the user interface can provide valuable information on product design very early in the product development cycle, before any product code is written.
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