Article ID: | iaor2005832 |
Country: | Netherlands |
Volume: | 38 |
Issue: | 1 |
Start Page Number: | 141 |
End Page Number: | 159 |
Publication Date: | Oct 2004 |
Journal: | Decision Support Systems |
Authors: | Conlon Sumali J., Conlon John R., James Tabitha L. |
This paper discusses appropriate application areas for natural language interfaces (NLIs) to databases. This requires NLIs with competing approaches, including other user-friendly interfaces, and training of users with less user-friendly interfaces. Also, since NLI technology is still limited, users may need to learn how to use NLIs themselves. This suggests that NLI popularity may snowball at some point, as users become familiar with NLIs. We use a simple prototype NLI to illustrate when NLIs can achieve flexibility unattainable by simpler interfaces. Currently existing commercial NLIs and application-specific customization are also discussed.