Data Modeling: Theory and Practice

by Graeme Simsion

Overview

Graeme Simsion, author of several bestsellers including The Rosie Project, provides a detailed review of the extensive literature on data modeling and logical database design, referencing nearly 500 publications, with a strong focus on their relevance to practice.

DATA MODELING THEORY AND PRACTICE is for practitioners and academics who have learned the conventions and rules of data modeling and are looking for a deeper understanding of the discipline. The coverage of theory includes a detailed review of the extensive literature on data modeling and logical database design, referencing nearly 500 publications, with a strong focus on their relevance to practice. The practice component incorporates the largest-ever study of data modeling practitioners, involving over 450 participants in interviews, surveys and data modeling tasks. The results challenge many longstanding held assumptions about data modeling and will be of interest to academics and practitioners alike.

Graeme Simsion brings to the book the practical perspective and intellectual clarity that have made his Data Modeling Essentials a classic in the field. He begins with a question about the nature of data modeling (design or description), and uses it to illuminate such issues as the definition of data modeling, its philosophical underpinnings, inputs and deliverables, the necessary behaviors and skills, the role of creativity, product diversity, quality measures, personal styles, and the differences between experts and novices.

Data Modeling Theory and Practice is essential reading for anyone involved in data modeling practice, research, or teaching.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780977140015
Publisher:	Technics Publications
Publication date:	06/15/2007
Edition description:	TECHNICS PUBLICATIONS LLC
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

Part II - Theory 23
Chapter 2 Definitions of design and data modeling 25
2.1. Design in information systems 25
2.2. Definitions of design 27
2.3. Definitions of data modeling 30
Chapter 3 Beliefs about the database design process 33
3.1. A model of the database design process 34
3.2. Interaction with the UoD 40
3.3. Requirements analysis 43
3.4. Conceptual data modeling 45
3.5. View integration 53
3.6. Logical data modeling 55
3.7. Physical database design 59
3.8. External schema specification 60
3.9. Process modeling 60
3.10. Beliefs from end-to-end 62
Chapter 4 Comparison with Lawson's model 65
4.1. Lawson's characteristics of design 65
4.2. Problem 65
4.3. Process 70
4.4. Product 79
4.5. Summary and review 91
Chapter 5 Studies of human factors in data modeling 93
5.1. The gold standard 94
5.2. Industry participation 95
5.3. Problem complexity 96
5.4. Focus of the studies 97
5.5. Generalizing the findings 97
5.6. Summary 98
Chapter 6 What the thought-leaders think 99
6.1. Introduction 99
6.2. Design and method 100
6.3. Participants 102
6.4. Results 104
6.5. Discussion 122
Part III - Practice 125
Chapter 7 Research design 127
7.1. Introduction 127
7.2. Research question and sub-questions 127
7.3. Research design - overview 129
7.4. Data collection and management 136
7.5. Use of statistics 141
7.6. Participants 146
Chapter 8 Scope and stages 153
8.1. Introduction 153
8.2. Research design 154
8.3. Measures 155
8.4. The Scope and Stages questionnaire 157
8.5. Method 159
8.6. Sample 164
8.7. Results 164
8.8. Discussion and conclusions 182
Chapter 9 How practitioners describe data modeling 189
9.1. Introduction and objectives 189
9.2. Research design 190
9.3. Method 191
9.4. Sample 193
9.5. Results 194
9.6. Discussion 202