Abstract
In this chapter we describe in some detail the top-down approach to data analysis based around a diagrammatic technique known as entity-relationship diagramming. In the bottom-up approach (chapter 12) of normalisation we must have a data-set in place before we can begin the process of logical database design. The aim of bottomup data analysis is to divide this data-set into logical groupings. Bottom-up data analysis is therefore concrete data analysis. In contrast, top-down data analysis is data analysis in the abstract. There need be no data-set in place which the data analyst can examine. Instead, he or she has to build a model of the ‘things of interest’ to an organisation. Such a model is usually referred to as a data model.
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13.10 References
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© 1996 P. Beynon-Davies
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Beynon-Davies, P. (1996). Entity-Relationship Diagramming. In: Database Systems. Computer Science Series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-13722-0_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-13722-0_13
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
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