Application of triangulation approach in requirements engineering process: A study in analysis and design of the pediatrics epilepsy information system

Introduction: Requirements Engineering process is a crucial phase in softwaredevelopment. In order to achieve a successful design of health information systems(HISs), applying the best methodologies is essential. Therefore, the aim of the presentstudy was to design pediatrics Epilepsy Information System (EPIS) as well as the use oftriangulation approach in elicitation and validation of epilepsy information systemrequirements in its engineering process.Methods: This applied study was carried out in Bandar Abbas pediatric hospital.Triangulation approach based on three different analyses and validation methods inrequirements engineering process was applied. To do the triangulation work, as well asdesigning a usable system, according to the most common User Centered Design (UCD)methods, we use three well-known methodological approaches in UCD: (a) Object-OrientedSystem Analysis (OOSA); (b) Hierarchical Task Analysis; and, (c) Prototyping. The resultsof each of these methods were analyzed by selected clinical staff, iterative cycle in modelsdesign also continued until lack of need for new changes. Then final results were presentedin a general category in the form of triangulation matrix.Results: 55 high-level requirements with minimum information items to storeinformation of hospitalized epileptic patients obtained from multiple methods. The greatestrequirements (84%) were identified or validated in the OOSA step, some requirements(13%) have been identified only in the design and evaluation of prototype.Conclusion: Triangulation approach helped us in confirmation of findings, and finallyenhance the credibility of the study. Health informatics specialists should try to use ofmultiple methods in the early phases of systems design that lead to a rich andcomprehensive picture of HIS requirements.

Keywords:

Triangulation Approach , Requirement Engineering , Epilepsy Information System