Boyle, Mark James.2014-10-2119971997AAINQ24732http://hdl.handle.net/10222/55468The goal of the study was to investigate the application of direct manipulation interface techniques in the area of database querying. Past research had explored this in a small scale manner. The current study examined whether this earlier research would scale up to a real-world situation. Two specific variables were examined; structure of the search factor list and the implementation of a Boolean 'Or' query facility. The search factor list varied between a scrolling list design and a windowing design. The Boolean 'Or' facility varied between direct and indirect designs. Data were collected from 72 graduate students on performance and preference measures. Performance was measured through time to complete the task and correct responses. Preference was measured by a short series of bipolar adjectives. Results were equivocal. When performance was measured by time to complete the task no significant differences were found for either variable. However, when performance was measured by the number of correct responses, then a significant effect was found for the implementation of the Boolean 'Or' facility. Subjects performed significantly better when using the direct design versus the indirect design. Although no significant main effects were found for preference across the two variables a significant interaction was supported.Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dalhousie University (Canada), 1997.Computer Science.text