Abstract
This paper describes the experiences encountered by new users of a natural language interface for ad hoc query of a relational database. During the study, subjects with wide ranging computer experience performed queries of varying complexity using a commercial natural language system. Their experiences are compared with those of similar subjects working on artificial language and graphical user interfaces doing the same queries. The study revealed strengths and weaknesses of the natural language interface studied as well as natural language interfaces for database query in general, and it showed that interaction with the natural language interface was qualitatively different than interaction with either of the other systems while the overall performance was quantitatively very similar.
Research supported in part by a grant from BP America and by the National Science Foundation under grant MIP 87-15557.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bell, J. E. and L. A. Rowe. An Exploratory Study of Ad Hoc Query Languages for Relational Databases, in Eighth International Conference on Data Engineering. 1992. Phoenix, Arizona: IEEE CS Press.
Boyle, J. M., K. F. Bury, and R. J. Evey. Two studies evaluating learning and use of QBE and SQL. in Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 27th Annual Meeting. 1983. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors Society.
Cattell, R. G. G., An Entity-based Database User Interface. ACM SIGMOD, 1980: p. 144-150.
Greenblatt, D. and J. Waxman, A study of three database query languages, in Databases: Improving Usability and Responsiveness, B. Shneiderman, Editor. 1978, Academic Press, Inc.: New York. p. 77–97.
Jarke, M., et al., A field evaluation of natural language for data retrieval. IEEE TSE, 1985. SE-11(1): p. 97–114.
Limperis, E., Personal communication. 1990.
Maier, D., et al. Toward logical data independence: A relational query language without relations, in ACM SIGMOD Conference. 1982.
Natural Language™ Database Retrieval System User Manual. 1988, Natural Language Incorporated.
Ogden, W.C., Using Natural Language Interfaces, in Handbook of Human-Computer Interaction, M. Helander, Editor. 1988, Elsevier Science Publishers: p. 281-299.
Ogden, W. C. and S. R. Brooks, Query Languages for the Casual User: Exploring the Middle Ground between Formal and Natural Languages. CHI’83, 1983.: p. 161-165.
Reisner, P., R. F. Boyce, and D. D. Chamberlin. Human factors evaluation of two database query languages — Square and Sequel, in National Computer Conference. 1975. Anaheim, CA: AFIPS.
Using INGRES Through Form and Menus. 1989, Relational Technology, Inc.
Shneiderman, B., Improving the human factors aspect of data base interactions. ACM TODS, 1978. 3(4): p. 417–439.
Small, D. W. and L. J. Weldon, An experimental comparison of natural and structured query languages. Human Factors, 1983. 25: p. 253–263.
SunSimplify™ 2.0 Reference Manual 1989, Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1993 British Computer Society
About this paper
Cite this paper
Bell, J.E. (1993). The Experiences of New Users of a Natural Language Interface to a Relational Database in a Controlled Setting. In: Cooper, R. (eds) Interfaces to Database Systems (IDS92). Workshops in Computing. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3423-7_24
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3423-7_24
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-19802-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-3423-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive