Information Gathering: Unobtrusive Methods

Unobtrusive Methods of Information Gathering

Just by being present in an organization, the systems analyst changes it. However, unobtrusive methods such as sampling, investigation, and observing a decision maker’s behavior and interaction with his or her physical environment are less disruptive than other ways of eliciting human information requirements. Unobtrusive methods are considered to be insufficient information-gathering methods when used […]

Sampling – Information Gathering

Sampling is the process of systematically selecting representative elements of a population. When these selected elements are examined closely, it is assumed that the analysis will reveal useful information about the population as a whole. The systems analyst has to make a decision on two key issues. First, there are many reports, forms, output documents, […]

Sampling Design in Information Gathering

A systems analyst must follow four steps to design a good sample: 1. Determine the data to be collected or described. 2. Determine the population to be sampled. 3. Choose the type of sample. 4. Decide on the sample size. These steps are described in detail in the following subsections. Determine the data to be […]

The Sample Size Decision (Information Gathering)

The sample size often depends on the cost involved or the time required by the systems analyst, or even the time available by people in the organization. This subsection gives the systems analyst some guidelines for determining the required sample size under ideal conditions, for example, to determine what percentage of input forms contain errors, […]

Investigation – Analyzing Quantitative Documents

Investigation is the act of discovery and analysis of data. While investigating evidence in an organization, the analyst acts like Sherlock Holmes, the fabled detective from 221B Baker Street. As the systems analyst works to understand users, their organization, and its information requirements, it will become important to examine different types of hard data that […]

Investigation – Analyzing Qualitative Documents

Qualitative documents include email messages, memos, signs on bulletin boards and in work areas, Web pages, procedure manuals, and policy handbooks. Many of these documents are rich in details revealing the expectations for behavior of others that their writers hold and the ways in which users expect to interact with information technologies. Although many systems […]

Observing a Decision Maker’s Behavior

Observing decision makers, their physical environment, and their interaction with their physical, ergonomic environment is an important unobtrusive method for the systems analyst. Through observing activities of decision makers, the analyst seeks to gain insight about what is actually done, not just what is documented or explained. In addition, through observation of the decision maker, […]

Observing the Physical Environment

Observing the activities of decision makers is just one way to assess their information requirements. Observing the physical environment where decision makers work also reveals much about their human information requirements. Most often, such observing means systematically examining the offices of decision makers, because offices constitute their primary workplace. Decision makers influence and are in […]