A psychological study of query by example

TLDR

Query systems are classified by how English‑like they are, ranging from natural language interfaces to formal non‑English‑like languages such as Query By Example. The study experimentally demonstrates the ease and accuracy with which nonprogrammers learned and used the Query By Example language. The authors conducted experiments to assess nonprogrammers' learning and usage of the Query By Example language.

Abstract

Many different query systems have been proposed. One way to partition extant and hypothetical query systems is on the basis of how English-like they are. One approach for an easy-to-use query system is to allow the user to state a question in natural English. The system may then disambiguate the possible interpretations of this question on the basis of context or on the basis of feedback questions to the user. A second approach is to require the user to state his question in a formal language system, but one that uses an English-like grammar and vocabulary. IBM's Interactive Query Facility (IQF) and SEQUEL exemplify this type of approach. A third approach is to require the user to state his question in a formal language system that does not attempt to appear English-like. Zloof's Query By Example language is best described by this third approach. In this paper we demonstrate experimentally the ease and accuracy with which nonprogrammers learned and used this powerful Query By Example language.