An Ontological Analysis of Use Case Modeling Grammar

Use case modeling is a popular technique for representing the functional requirements of an information system. The simple graphical notation of use case diagrams, accompanied by well-structured narrative descriptions, makes use case models fairly easy to read and understand. This simplicity, however, belies the challenges associated with creating use case models. There is little, if any, theory underlying use cases, and little more than loose guidelines for creating a complete, consistent, and integrated set of use cases. We argue that there is a need for more rigor and consistency in the grammatical constructs used in use case modeling. Toward this end, we present a theoretically- and practice-based assessment of use case modeling constructs, and make recommendations for future research to improve and strengthen this technique

Does Conventional Wisdom Apply? An Enterprise System Sourcing Decision for a Retail Business in Fiji

This case explores a decision to replace a critical enterprise system that the directors of a family-owned and operated retail organization in Fiji (a developing country) faced. The case asks students to assess the risks and potential rewards of enterprise sourcing alternatives for the Fijian retailer. The case sensitizes students to the organizational, environmental, and technological issues that this business faced, such as unreliable and expensive electricity and broadband Internet. Students who reside in developed countries often take some of these issues for granted, and, thus, the case challenges them to consider a broader global context and question the conventional wisdom of solutions such as cloud computing and ERP packaged software benefits for small- and medium-sized businesses

Query Structure and Data Model Mapping Errors in Information Retrieval Tasks

SQL query writing is a challenging task for novices, even after considerable training. Query writing is a programming task and a translation task where the writer must translate a user’s request for information into code that conforms to the structure, constraints, and syntax of an SQL SELECT statement and that references specific tables and columns from a database. This paper investigates the impact of two instructional interventions on query errors under conditions of low and high query complexity. Data was collected from an experimental study of 63 undergraduate students nearing completion of a 15-week database course. Our analysis reveals specific areas of query writing where each of the interventions helped, and hindered, task performance. We discuss the implications of these findings for improving SQL training and for future research on SQL training effectiveness

The Animal Genetic Resource Information Network (AnimalGRIN) Database: A Database Design & Implementation Case

This case describes a database redesign project for the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Germplasm Program (NAGP). The case provides a valuable context for teaching and practicing database analysis, design, and implementation skills, and can be used as the basis for a semester-long team project. The case demonstrates the broad applicability of database skills to domains outside typical business applications. The functional requirements for the NAGP’s information system are documented with a detailed set of use cases, which are commonly used in practice and which provides a link between the database course and the systems analysis and design course in many information systems curricula. The NAGP database redesign project was initiated because the original database design was not flexible or rigorous enough to handle the ways in which the organization’s needs grew. The case provides several opportunities to emphasize design flexibility and data integrity controls

Rural Kansas Family Physician Satisfaction with Caring for Spanish-Speaking Only Patients

Introduction. Patient satisfaction with the care they receive can beinfluenced negatively by a language barrier between the physician andpatient. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the consequencesof a language barrier on physician satisfaction, althoughthis barrier has the potential to decrease physician wellness. Thisstudy sought to determine if a language barrier is a source of professionaldissatisfaction in family medicine physicians in rural Kansas. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, members of the Kansas Academyof Family Physicians who practiced in the rural Kansas countieswith the highest percentage of Hispanic residents were surveyed. Aquestionnaire was developed to determine the demographics of thephysician, details regarding his or her practice, and percentage of Hispanicand Spanish-speaking only (SSO) patients in their practice.Physicians also were queried as to their level of Spanish-speakingability, availability of certified interpreters, and their satisfaction withcaring for their SSO patients. Results. Fifty-two physicians were identified and sent questionnairesby mail. Eighteen questionnaires were completed and returned, resultingin a 34% response rate. Respondents remained anonymous. In thepractices surveyed, 61% of practice settings had a Hispanic-patientpopulation greater than 25%. Only one of the eighteen respondentshad greater than 25% of SSO patients in his or her practice. A certifiedinterpreter was used less than 25% of the time in over 75% ofthe clinical encounters with SSO patients. Seventy-five percent ofphysicians reported no difficulty establishing trust and rapport withtheir SSO patients. Eighty-nine percent of respondents rated theirrelationship with SSO patients as good to excellent, and 83% weresatisfied with the care they were able to provide this group. Seventyeightpercent of respondents reported that their ability to care forSSO patients decreased or had no effect on their professional satisfaction.Seventy-eight percent of physicians also rated their overallprofessional satisfaction in regards to their physician/patient relationshipas good to excellent. However, language barriers affectedphysician-patient relationships, physician satisfaction with care, andprofessional satisfaction. Conclusion. Language barrier affected physician’s relationships withSSO patients, led to decreased physician satisfaction with the carethey provided and to decreased professional satisfaction.KS J Med 2017;10(4):79-83

Time and Financial Costs for Students Participating in the National Residency Matching Program (the Match©): 2015 to 2020

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to provide information to assist students, faculty, and staff in making critical career-determining decisions regarding the residency NRMP “Match©” process. Methods. A 47-item survey questionnaire was developed and piloted on a regional medical school campus in 2015. The revised questionnaire was distributed each year from 2016 to 2020 to fourth-year medical students after rank lists had been submitted. The questionnaire incorporated a request for comments about the interviewing experience and suggestions to improve the process. This narrative feedback was coded using a thematic analysis. Results. The overall response rate was 86.1% (897/1,042). Annual response rates ranged from 70.0% in 2020 to 97.0% in 2018. Respondents’ average age was 27.3 (± 2.7) years and 50.0% (448/897) were male. Most applied to family medicine (164/897; 18.2%) and internal medicine (140/897; 15.6%). Eight specialties had fewer than ten applicants over the six-year period. The number of students applying to individual specialties fluctuated annually, but no specialty showed a consistent upward or downward trend over the study period. Conclusions. This study found huge differences in numbers of applications, expenses, and days interviewing. Students crave more guidance, a more efficient system, transparent communication with programs, and less pressure during the process. Reducing escalating volumes of applications is central to improving the system. Despite efforts to inform applicants better, student behavior is unlikely to change until they feel safe in the belief that lower and more realistic numbers of applications and interviews are likely to result in securing an appropriate residency position