A quasi-experiment was conducted in the field to compare the decision-making process for groups using a nonsimultaneous computer conferencing (NCC) system with similar groups using face-to-face (FTF) communication. Groups of five participants performed group decision making using a general knowledge task. Group members searched for the solution by sharing information and generating alternatives. The participants were professional workers from several different organizations. The results of the study suggest that groups using the NCC system were significantly less effective than FTF groups in solving the problem. NCCs shared less information, were less comprehensive in considering all aspects of the decision-making task, and made less progress toward the perceived decision goal.
The data dictionary system is a documentation source that is useful for management reviews of existing and proposed systems, EDP audits, and system development functions. Early data dictionary systems had limitations that reduced their effectiveness and contributed to their limited usage. Many of these limitations have been or are being resolved with the result that evolving data dictionary systems offer many benefits to management and EDP auditors. This article evaluates the features, potential benefits, and limitations of data dictionary systems from the perspective of the EDP auditor.