A study of cognitive transfer efficiency in analysis, design and layering of diagrammatic notation methodologies employed in object-oriented development

The methods of conceptual symbolics used to depict object-oriented analysis, design and layering are examined. This is a study to develop new diagramming and representational methods based on cognitive transfer efficiency and supported by empirical testing. The developmental notation of object-oriented analysis (OOA) and object-oriented design (OOD) and its inherent layering is addressed by this dissertation with the intention of empirically examining existing methodologies as well as validating two new paradigms outlined in this research. It is proposed that the new paradigms reduce cognitive load and thereby increase cognitive transfer efficiency for both diagrammatic notations and class definition layering. The disciplines of object-oriented methods and cognitive science are reviewed for guidance. An empirical study is proposed to test the hypotheses developed from the literature review. Four experiments are proposed. Experiments One through Three address the new diagrammatic paradigm, and Experiment Four examines a new methodology for presenting varying levels of abstraction during class development when using computer assisted software engineering (CASE) tools. Experiment One examines the ability of the various existing methodologies to convey design information thereby supporting the need for developing a new paradigm. Experiment Two provides empirical support for applying the new notational paradigm by contrasting its use to the existing methods. Experiment Three supports improved cognitive effectiveness with minimal impact on usage efficiency. Experiment Four extends the concept of cognitive effectiveness based on the preceding experiments by examining a new presentation methodology for depicting layering in class definition of object attributes and methods when using CASE development tools.