Improving End-User Database Development Quality: A 5C Data Modeling Method

The growth of end-user computing has been driven by advances in both personal computer hardware and software technology and their ever-decreasing pricing. Most casual end-users shy away from database design due to its complexity. However, more sophisticated end-users try to take advantage of complex PC-based database management system products to develop their own database, but frequently experience difficulties in producing quality databases because they do not possess sound data modeling training/skills. To address this problem, the authors propose a simple and straightforward normalization algorithm, the 5C data modeling method. The method focuses on easy-to-follow steps and eliminates references to technical terminology that may confuse the user-developer. The experiment results show that users can apply these techniques to build better databases without understanding traditional textbook terms such as first, second and third normal forms, and referential integrity.