ABSTRACT
Master students are expected to engage in a small-scale but genuine research. Hardy chose the topic of “Investigating the feasibility of an Internet based virtual reality interface for a database application” for his MSc. in Information Systems degree. The topic he chose is a contemporary topic. He will use a new technology called Virtual Reality Modulation Language (VRML) to create virtual worlds. He also said in his report that the theme seems to be that 3D can more closely model the real world, and the way that interaction is carried out and perceived.
For this dissertation, Hardy created a set of prototypes, and then he evaluated them and obtained the results for his research. Based on the obtained results, Hardy proposed the use of new technologies; also He proposed the possibility to continue investigating in the topic that he studied. A new research on the same topic can be done, to solve the found bugs on the system.
INTRODUCTION
The topic of the dissertation of Hardy is defined with an exact purpose and function of the project. For the investigation he defined two aims, and he broke them down into more specific and tangible objectives. The first aim of the investigation is intended to research the feasibility to create an interface with database, to be accessed in virtual worlds over the World Wide Web. The second aim of the investigation is to research the theoretical aspects that can be determined from the production of prototypes. He supported his investigation with the production of five prototypes.
He tried to find a way to manipulate a conventional database within a 3D virtual environment. In this 3D virtual environment the objects are suppose to be stored data in a database. For his research he used an inductive approach.
The dissertation provides a broad understanding and background. He explained in his literature review the importance of the topics related with his dissertation; Such as Databases; World Wide Web (WWW); and 3-D technologies. However he did not show or evaluate previous works relating to his research project.
In this paper I explain how Hardy followed his dissertation and how he presented the results obtained from his research investigating the feasibility of an Internet based virtual reality interface for a database application.
HARDY’S RESEARCH OBJETIVIVES AND BACKGROUND
The objectives of Hardy’s dissertation were offer suggestions for an electronic system that could be used to replace architectural drawings, to create a set of prototypes and suggest a set of recommendations and global conclusions about the production of web-based virtual reality interfaces for databases, reaching to that may point to future research opportunities.
Hardy explained the importance of Database systems; they are used in almost every aspect of the business in today’s environment. Beynon-Davies (1998) said that a database is an organized repository for data. Date (1995) supported this definition, considering a database to be nothing more than a computerized record-keeping system.
To manage databases it is necessary to use a Database Management System (DBMS). Hardy for his project used Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS); For this model it is needed to use a sub-language to communicate the user commands. This sub-language according to Elmasri and Navanthe (1994) is the Structured Query Language (SQL), which simplifies the relational calculus and algebra for user.
In one of the recommendations that Hardy made, he proposed to use a different model of DBMS; That proposed model is called Object Oriented Database (OOD); the sub-language used for this model is Object Query Language (OQL).
At this point he has explained the database management system model that he used for his prototypes, and a possible model that he recommended at the conclusions of the project.
Graveley (1998) states that Bernes Lee at CERN in Switzerland used a mark-up language to display hypertext documents across the Internet communicating on the now well know TCP/IP. From this, Hardy started to show the advantages of multimedia over the text.. Two issues are closely related to this phenomenon: Mediated communication and data visualization. Soon after the advances in communication and data visualization, it is necessary to extend horizons to new technologies. The proposed technology by Hardy is a 3D technology, such as Virtual Reality Modulation Language (VRML).
He divided the idea of ‘virtual worlds linked to database’ into small parts; He carried out the development of prototypes. The first prototype included only one object in the virtual world. He increased the complexity of the virtual worlds in each prototype; Thereafter using the gained knowledge in the previous one; Therefore he studied each part entirely, in a relatively holistic way. The software used for the prototypes were not the ultimate versions. Hardy explained this, and the cause was due to the lack of books and information for the new versions at that time. Hardy used triangulation methods to develop the prototypes since he tried to resolve the gap of linking a database with a virtual world (VRML). The different software tools that he used were ASP, ADO, ODBC, JavaScript, and VBScript.
HARDY’S RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The methodology used by Hardy was according to the concept of Madison (1993) that stated that a methodology can be defined as a set of components which determine: How a project is to be broken down into stages; what tasks are to be carried out at each stage; what outputs are to be produced; when they are to be carried out; what constraints are to be applied; and what support tools may be utilized. Smith (1991) supports the idea of a methodology being a structured set of procedures and checklists used to analyze and design computer systems. Hardy is based as well on the methodology of Checkland (1981), who seems to be implying that a set of procedures can still be followed, however it can be adapted for the current circumstances.
The research methodology follows:
- The use of the case study method as the basis for the approach taken as a whole. The case study according to Myers (1997) is the most common method used in information systems. It is intended to investigate a conceptual or theoretical problem within an applied setting, such as an organization.
- Literature review.
- The use of Rapid Application Development, and feasibility prototyping. (5 prototypes). Hardy considers that RAD would prove more appropriate than other systems development tools such as SSADM or STRADIS (see the work of Goodland and Slater (1995) or Yourdon (1989) respectively).
- Evaluation and application recommendations.
- Conclusions.
HARDY’S RESEARCH RESULTS
The results were presented at the end of the dissertation. These were presented in parts, and each prototype was presented separately. After this, he made conclusions divided according to the results and the aims of the research. He used a passive voice style of writing through whole the dissertation. In the same way he concluded from empirical data, archiving and making recommendations from the obtained results. He presented good details of the results, making them meaningful for the reader, with diagrams of some processes, pictures, and the code of the virtual worlds; accompanied by text that guides the reader.
The research problem has not been “solved”; therefore he archived all the obtained results and made a call to continue his research and solve the gap of knowledge he found through this research. The gap found in this research will be investigate this year in my dissertation for my MSc. in Information Systems degree. The topic of my dissertation is “To investigate current 3D data manipulation using VRML and Java platforms”.
CONCLUSION
There is a consistency relation between the research topic, the literature review, methodology, evaluation, and conclusions; He showed a clear understanding of the terms, with a good interpretation and representation of data.
The way that Hardy carried out his research is supported by methodologies creates by Checkland (1981); McConnell (1996); Madison (1983); and others. In my personal opinion that dissertation is well structured, and the objectives are well defined, the recommendations and conclusions that he made are according to the objectives.
Prototypes were developed with an increasing complexity, Hardy analyzed and archived the results, and from this he reached conclusions and develop the next prototype. He explains methodological limitations, problems and their impact on the results. His findings will apply to other cases where the same conditions apply.
REFERENCES:
Beynon-Davies, P. (1998). Information Systems Development. 3rd Ed. MacMillan Press Ltd: London.
Date, C.J. (1995). An introduction to Database Systems. 6th Ed. Addison-Wesley: Wokingham.
Elmasri, R. and Navanthe, S.B. (1994). Fundamentals of Database Systems. 2nd Ed. Addison-Wesley: Wokingham.
Goodland, M. and Slater, C. (1995). SSADM Version 4: A Practical Approach. McGraw-Hill: London.
Graveley, R.M. (1998). Development of WWW Based Re-Usable Learning Materials Using a Flexible Learning Approach. University of Sheffield MSc Dissertation: Sheffield.
Hardy, S. (1999). Investigating the Feasibility of an Internet Based Virtual Reality Interface for Database Application. University of Sheffield MSc Dissertation: Sheffield.
Madison, R.N. (1983). Information Systems Methodologies. Wiley: Heyden.
McConnell, S. (1996). Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules. Microsoft Press: Redmond; WA.
Myers, M.D. (1997). Qualitative Research Information Systems. MIS Quarterly. 21:2. pp241.242. MISQ Discovery, Archival Version.
[http://www.auckland.ac.nz/miss/isworld/index.html] Site visited at: 11/8/99
Smith, M.F. (1991). Software Prototyping: Adoption, Practice and Management. McGraw-Hill: London.
Yourdon, E. (1989). Modern Structured Analysis. Prentice-Hall: London.
MSc. Information Systems (010115862)
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27 May 2002
