A Theoretically Grounded Approach to Assist Memory Recall during Information Requirements Determination

Abstract:

The interview has long been a part of the system professional’s repertoire of elicitation techniques, used extensively in both requirements analysis and knowledge acquisition. Unfortunately, although interviewing is a widely recommended elicitation technique, the literature offers little in the way of theoretically grounded support or advice on exactly how the interview should be conducted and what format should be used.

This paper reports the findings of a study that compared the efficiency and effectiveness of the cognitive interview with the standard information requirements interview in an experiment using reference librarians as interviewees. The cognitive interview was found to be both more effective and more efficient than standard interviewing techniques in eliciting episodic knowledge from reference librarians. Use of the cognitive interview resulted in a richer recall, in terms of both breadth and depth, of details relevant to the task domain.

Key Words and Phrases:

• cognitive interview
• communication tools
• communication tools
• information requirements determination
• information systems development tools
• interviewing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janette W. Moody

Janette W. Moody is an Assistant Professor in the Business Administration Department at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where she teaches in the areas of management information systems and accounting. Prior to receiving her Ph.D. in information systems and decision sciences from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Moody worked in various corporations, including GTE, Price Waterhouse, CPAs, and Eastern Airlines. Her research interests include the behavioral and communication aspects of systems development and she has published in various journals, including MIS Quarterly, Journal of Systems Management, and Expert Systems with Applications.

J. Ellis Blanton

J. Ellis Blanton is an Associate Professor in the College of Business Administration at the University of South Florida. He received a Ph.D. in management information systems from the University of Georgia and has published in various journals, including MIS Quarterly, Information and Management, International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, and the Journal of Information Technology Management. His primary research interests include the strategic use of information technology and the impact of information technology on organizations.

Paul H. Cheney

Paul H. Cheney is a Professor in the College of Business Administration at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He was formerly the chairman at Texas Tech University and has taught at the University of Georgia and Iowa State University. He has published two books in the information systems field and over thirty articles in such journals as MIS Quarterly, Decision Sciences, Data Base, and the Academy of Management Journal. He has also consulted with over 100 organizations, including Exxon, Ford, Coca Cola, and GTE.