In winter semester 2003/04 a seminar working paper about the ‘relevance of the laboratory experiment in MIS research’ was generated, based on an empirical literature study. One result was that this method is generally established within information systems in the English-speaking language area (especially in the data modeling domain and the formal versus non-formal contestation). But surprisingly practically no experimental studies could be found, using the laboratory experiment as research method in process modeling. Based on this cognition, in summer semester 2004 the project EXPEND (Experimental Study of using Petri nets and EPC from the End-user Perspective) was started, intending to realize an experimental study just in that research environment. As a framework for the further study, a comparison of the two process modeling languages EPC and Petri nets (in particular C/E nets) from the end-user perspective was given. Another important target for the study is, in addition to the principle realization of an empirical laboratory experiment, to prove or disprove some of the most prominent hypothesis in the theoretical literature discussion between the supporters of the semiformal EPC and the formal Petri nets. Their theoretical background, justification and transfer to provable hypothesis form the following theoretical framework chapter 2. Because using the laboratory experiment in the data modeling research provides a set of similarities, the approaches from GREEN, PETRE and BELLAMY and from MOHER, MAK and BLUMENTHAL provided a basic proceeding guideline for the study on hand. Both workgroups compared the comprehensibility of Petri nets against textual program representations within a laboratory experiment. Chapter 3 illustrates the specific experimental design used for the study on hand. In chapter 4, the results of the data analysis and statistical tests for the particular hypothesis are illustrated and discussed. The over-all concluding and comprising discussion forms the closing chapter 5.
Table of Contents
1 Motivation and Task
2 Theoretical framework
2.1 Levels of representation and formalism
2.2 Focus on the End-User perspective
2.3 Research questions and resulting hypotheses
3 Experimental Design and Methodology
3.1 Basics of the Laboratory Experiment
3.2 Subject information
3.3 Procedure of the experiment
3.4 Data analysis basics
4 Data analysis and result discussion
4.1 Sub question 1: Difficulty of EPC’s OR connector
4.2 Sub question 2: Difficulty of the EPC’s event element
4.3 Sub question 3: Difficulty of identifying concurrencies in Petri nets
4.4 Sub question 4: Usefulness of the tokens in Petri nets
4.5 Sub question 5: Acceptability of the modeling language
4.6 Sub question 6: Over-all superiority of the EPC
4.7 Non-hypothesis related and non-planned results
5 Concluding discussion
Research Objectives and Themes
This project aims to conduct an empirical laboratory experiment to compare the comprehensibility and end-user acceptance of two process modeling languages, the semiformal Event-driven Process Chain (EPC) and the formal B/E Petri nets, specifically focusing on the requirements of untrained end-users.
- Comparison of formal (Petri nets) vs. semiformal (EPC) modeling languages.
- Evaluation of end-user comprehension regarding complex process flows and concurrencies.
- Empirical validation of theoretical hypotheses concerning modeling language notation.
- Assessment of end-user subjective acceptance and preference for specific modeling methodologies.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Levels of representation and formalism
There is general agreement among information system researchers that in the business process description and modeling procedure several levels of data representation exist, which range from more business administration-related spheres to those who are related to information technologies. In the German-speaking language area authors like particularly POHL with his “Three Dimensions of Requirements Engineering” and SCHEER in his ARIS-Architecture differ between such stages and focus on their exigency. In a different context, but with similar considerations, also ANSI/SPARC’s layered model of database architecture comprises three levels, so called “schemes”. First, there is the user’s view, very close to the business realness, so called an informal level. It is followed by the conceptual and physical schemes, which become more and more close to the structures of the information system (the database).
But as long as the science agrees with those different levels of representation, the particular degree of formalism is matter of an open and lively discussion, which is part of the general discussion on formal methods. So at the moment the need and appliance as well as the usefulness of formal or informal methods and modeling languages is not well clarified.
The advocacies of formal methods argue, that the use of formal methods brings the same advantages to software and hardware design that other engineering endeavors have exploited: mathematical analysis, based on models. Formal methods can further be used to specify and model the behavior of a system and to formally verify that the system design and implementation satisfy functional and safety properties.
The adversaries whereas argue, that especially the clearness and intuitivism of informal or semiformal methods as well as their ability to integrate different views or dimensions speaks in favor for them.
Summary of Chapters
1 Motivation and Task: Outlines the research gap regarding experimental studies in process modeling and introduces the EXPEND project as an empirical approach to evaluate modeling languages.
2 Theoretical framework: Defines the levels of representation in requirements engineering and establishes the research hypotheses comparing formal Petri nets and semiformal EPCs.
3 Experimental Design and Methodology: Details the controlled laboratory experiment, subject selection, and statistical methods used to analyze participant data.
4 Data analysis and result discussion: Presents the statistical findings and interpretations for the six sub-questions, evaluating the performance and subjective acceptance of both modeling languages.
5 Concluding discussion: Summarizes that while Petri nets are more sophisticated for formal verification, the EPC demonstrates superior comprehensibility and acceptance in end-user environments.
Keywords
Process Modeling, Event-driven Process Chain, EPC, Petri nets, End-user Perspective, Laboratory Experiment, Empirical Research, MIS, Formal Methods, Requirements Engineering, Comprehensibility, Subjective Acceptance, Data Modeling, Workflow, Semiformal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The study investigates which process modeling notation, the semiformal EPC or the formal Petri net, is better suited for communication between end-users and information system designers.
What are the primary themes addressed?
The work explores formal versus semiformal methodologies, the end-user perspective in business process modeling, and the efficacy of empirical laboratory experiments in information systems research.
What is the central research question?
The primary question asks whether a semiformal or formal notation method is better qualified for specific communication tasks involving untrained end-users.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The author employs a controlled laboratory experiment, using multiple-choice questionnaires and statistical analysis (SPSS, Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman-Rho) to test established hypotheses.
What is discussed in the main part?
The main part covers the theoretical background of modeling, the experimental setup, and a detailed analysis of results regarding specific EPC components (OR connectors, event elements) and Petri net characteristics (concurrencies, tokens).
How is the study characterized by keywords?
The study is characterized by its empirical nature, focus on process modeling, comparison of EPC and Petri nets, and the end-user usability of these distinct modeling languages.
Did the experiment prove the superiority of the EPC?
The results indicated that the EPC achieved significant better results in terms of comprehension and subjective acceptance among untrained participants compared to the Petri net group.
Why were Petri nets found to be less suitable for end-users?
Petri nets were often considered too complex and incomprehensible by untrained users, whereas the simple and intuitive graphical notation of the EPC was favored for end-user communication.
What role did statistical analysis play?
Statistical tests confirmed the significant differences in performance and perception between the two test groups, helping to validate the theoretical hypotheses proposed by the author.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dipl.-Kfm. Philipp Dominitzki (Autor:in), 2005, Experimental Study of using Petri nets and EPC from the End-user Perspective, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/38394
