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On a human-centred approach to database systems

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Abstract

It is often illuminating to view a technology or a methodology from a novel perspective, thereby assessing it with criteria which are likely to differ markedly from those used by its designers. In this paper we review current database design methodology and, implicitly, database technology. We attempt to show that both are founded on an information-centred philosophy, and that the consequences of this view are significant and unsatisfactory. We investigate an alternative, human-centred philosophy and relate this to the more limited scope of a user-centred view which evolves from our analysis.

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Lings, B., Adablah, N., Foster, L. et al. On a human-centred approach to database systems. AI & Soc 5, 128–141 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01891718

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