WK3-LU3 Information Gathering

Requirements Determination

The process of studying the existing system and gathering details to determine the requirements, how it works, and where improvements should be made.

Requirements Anticipation

Predicting the characteristics of a system based on previous experience and identifying problems, features, and requirements for a new system.

Requirements Investigation

Studying the current system and documenting its features for further analysis using fact-finding techniques, prototyping, and computer-assisted tools.

Requirements Specifications

Analyzing data to determine the requirement specification, describing features for a new system, and specifying information requirements.

Interviewing

A method for collecting data on human and system information requirements by conducting interviews with individuals.

User Stories

A technique used in systems analysis to understand the purpose and usefulness of stories in capturing information requirements.

Joint Application Design (JAD)

A collaborative approach involving the active participation of stakeholders in the design and development of a system.

Questionnaires

A method of gathering information by writing and administering a set of questions to survey users about their work.

Open-ended questions

Interview questions that allow interviewees to respond freely and in their own words, providing breadth and depth of reply.

Closed-ended questions

Interview questions that limit the number of possible responses and generate precise, reliable data that is easy to analyze.

Bipolar questions

Closed questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no," "true" or "false," or "agree" or "disagree."

Probes

Follow-up questions that elicit more detail about previous questions and help clarify and expand on the interviewee's point.

Probes

Questions used by systems analysts to get more detailed responses during interviews.

Arranging Questions Pyramid

A structure for interviews that starts with closed questions and progresses to open-ended questions.

Diamond

A structure for interviews that combines elements of both the pyramid and funnel structures.

Closing the Interview

Steps taken at the end of an interview, including asking if there is anything else to add, summarizing impressions, setting up future appointments, and thanking the interviewee.

Interview Report

A report written after an interview, providing a summary and more detailed information, and reviewed with the respondent.

Purposes for Telling a Story

The four purposes of storytelling:experiential, explanatory, validating, and prescriptive.

Joint Application Design (JAD)

A technique that replaces interviews with a user community and allows for requirements analysis and user interface design in a group setting.

Who Is Involved in JAD

The key roles in a JAD session, including the executive sponsor, IS analyst, users, session leader, observers, and scribe.

Benefits of JAD

The advantages of using JAD, such as time savings, improved user ownership, and creative idea production.

Questionnaires

A method of gathering information through written surveys.

Open-ended Questions

Questions that allow for a variety of responses and can provide rich insights.

Closed Questions

Questions that have a limited set of predetermined responses.

Questionnaire Language

Guidelines for writing effective questionnaire questions, including using the language of respondents, keeping questions specific and short, avoiding bias, and targeting questions to the correct respondents.

Interval Scales

Measurement scales where the intervals are equal and mathematical operations can be performed on the data.

Nominal Scales

Measurement scales used to classify things, but with weaker measurement properties.

Validity and Reliability

The concepts of getting consistent results and measuring what the analyst intends to measure in a questionnaire.

Scales

The construction of scales used in surveys or assessments.

Central tendency

When the impression formed in one question carries into the next question.

Resistance to respond

Reluctance or hesitation to answer a questionnaire.

White space

Empty space on a questionnaire to make it visually appealing and easy to read.

One-line text box

A small space for respondents to provide a short answer.

Check box

A box that can be marked to indicate a yes or no answer.

Radio button

A button that can be selected to indicate a yes or no or true or false answer.

Order of Questions

The arrangement of questions in a questionnaire.

Cluster

Grouping items of similar content together.

Administering Questionnaires

The process of distributing and collecting questionnaires.

Methods of Administering

Different ways in which questionnaires can be distributed and collected.

Electronically

Administering the questionnaire via email or on the web.