Scope
In keeping the book within reasonable logical and physical bounds I have applied the
following criteria.
Firstly, the book is about data analysis, not the wider field of systems analysis and
design, or information systems management.
Secondly, although it is scarcely feasible to discuss data analysis without
propounding some kind of methodology, my aim is to help the reader think about the
problems and obtain a grasp of the basic tools, rather than to grind the axe of any
particular methodology. For example, Chen's entity-relationship model is the basis for
the discussion in Part 3, but no claim is made that this is an exposition of Chen's ideas;
indeed I have freely selected and adapted his ideas to suit my own purpose. This book
will have succeeded if it leaves readers better equipped to assimilate the ideas in any of
the present or future 'brand-name' methodologies, or to devise methodologies of their
own.
Thirdly, I have deliberately restricted the scale of the applications in the examples
and exercises. It is important that the reader should tackle more substantial problems,
but I believe that this is best done under some form of tutorial guidance, either on a
course or on-the-job, as the ramifications of large-scale, or even medium-scale,
applications are inevitably extensive. In this respect the role of the book is to free the
tutor for more of this type of work.