Assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability - A cognitive perspective

Stefan Zugal; Jakob Pinggera; Barbara Weber; Jan Mendling; Hajo A. Reijers

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-29645-1_14

Assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability - A cognitive perspective

Stefan Zugal, Jakob Pinggera, Barbara Weber, Jan Mendling, Hajo A. Reijers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Modularity is a widely advocated strategy for handling complexity in conceptual models. Nevertheless, a systematic literature review revealed that it is not yet entirely clear under which circumstances modularity is most beneficial. Quite the contrary, empirical findings are contradictory, some authors even show that modularity can lead to decreased model understandability. In this work, we draw on insights from cognitive psychology to develop a framework for assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability. In particular, we identify abstraction and the split-attention effect as two opposing forces that presumably mediate the influence of modularity. Based on our framework, we describe an approach to estimate the impact of modularization on understandability and discuss implications for experiments investigating the impact of modularization on conceptual models. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Lecture Notes in Computer Science
Number of pages	11
Volume	7167
Publisher	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date	2012
Pages	123-133
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29645-1_14
Publication status	Published - 2012
Externally published	Yes
Event	14th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems - Wellington, New Zealand Duration: 16 Oct 2011 → 21 Oct 2011 Conference number: 14

Conference

Conference	14th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems
Number	14
Country/Territory	New Zealand
City	Wellington
Period	16/10/2011 → 21/10/2011

Series	Lecture Notes in Computer Science
ISSN	0302-9743

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10.1007/978-3-642-29645-1_14

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abstract = "Modularity is a widely advocated strategy for handling complexity in conceptual models. Nevertheless, a systematic literature review revealed that it is not yet entirely clear under which circumstances modularity is most beneficial. Quite the contrary, empirical findings are contradictory, some authors even show that modularity can lead to decreased model understandability. In this work, we draw on insights from cognitive psychology to develop a framework for assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability. In particular, we identify abstraction and the split-attention effect as two opposing forces that presumably mediate the influence of modularity. Based on our framework, we describe an approach to estimate the impact of modularization on understandability and discuss implications for experiments investigating the impact of modularization on conceptual models. {\textcopyright} 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.",

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Zugal, S, Pinggera, J, Weber, B, Mendling, J & Reijers, HA 2012, Assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability - A cognitive perspective. in Lecture Notes in Computer Science. vol. 7167, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 123-133, 14th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems, Wellington, New Zealand, 16/10/2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29645-1_14

Assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability - A cognitive perspective. / Zugal, Stefan; Pinggera, Jakob; Weber, Barbara et al.
Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Vol. 7167 Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012. p. 123-133 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability - A cognitive perspective

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AU - Reijers, Hajo A.

N1 - Conference code: 14

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T2 - 14th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems

Y2 - 16 October 2011 through 21 October 2011

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Assessing the impact of hierarchy on model understandability - A cognitive perspective

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