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Understanding Conceptual Schemas: Exploring the Role of Application and IS Domain Knowledge

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  • Vijay Khatri

    (Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, 1309 East 10th Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405)

  • Iris Vessey

    (University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia)

  • V. Ramesh

    (Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, 1309 East 10th Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405)

  • Paul Clay

    (Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, 1309 East 10th Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405)

  • Sung-Jin Park

    (School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405)

Abstract

Although information systems (IS) problem solving involves knowledge of both the IS and application domains, little attention has been paid to the role of application domain knowledge. In this study, which is set in the context of conceptual modeling, we examine the effects of both IS and application domain knowledge on different types of schema understanding tasks: syntactic and semantic comprehension tasks and schema-based problem-solving tasks . Our thesis was that while IS domain knowledge is important in solving all such tasks, the role of application domain knowledge is contingent upon the type of understanding task under investigation. We use the theory of cognitive fit to establish theoretical differences in the role of application domain knowledge among the different types of schema understanding tasks. We hypothesize that application domain knowledge does not influence the solution of syntactic and semantic comprehension tasks for which cognitive fit exists, but does influence the solution of schema-based problem-solving tasks for which cognitive fit does not exist.To assess performance on different types of conceptual schema understanding tasks, we conducted a laboratory experiment in which participants with high- and low-IS domain knowledge responded to two equivalent conceptual schemas that represented high and low levels of application knowledge (familiar and unfamiliar application domains). As expected, we found that IS domain knowledge is important in the solution of all types of conceptual schema understanding tasks in both familiar and unfamiliar applications domains, and that the effect of application domain knowledge is contingent on task type. Our findings for the EER model were similar to those for the ER model. Given the differential effects of application domain knowledge on different types of tasks, this study highlights the importance of considering more than one application domain in designing future studies on conceptual modeling.

Suggested Citation

  • Vijay Khatri & Iris Vessey & V. Ramesh & Paul Clay & Sung-Jin Park, 2006. "Understanding Conceptual Schemas: Exploring the Role of Application and IS Domain Knowledge," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 17(1), pages 81-99, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:17:y:2006:i:1:p:81-99
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.1060.0081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. François Bodart & Arvind Patel & Marc Sim & Ron Weber, 2001. "Should Optional Properties Be Used in Conceptual Modelling? A Theory and Three Empirical Tests," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 12(4), pages 384-405, December.
    2. Ron Weber, 1996. "Are Attributes Entities? A Study of Database Designers' Memory Structures," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 7(2), pages 137-162, June.
    3. Teresa M. Shaft & Iris Vessey, 1995. "Research Report—The Relevance of Application Domain Knowledge: The Case of Computer Program Comprehension," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 6(3), pages 286-299, September.
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