| The purpose of this descriptive survey research study is to characterize the significance to customers of data incongruity across expert systems. Previous research documented the requirement for expert system interoperability and the need for common data sharing standards. The lack a standard agreement on the ontology and data representation prevents consistently accurate data pattern matching and reasoning among decision support systems. The data heterogeneity problem further impedes a customer from retaining their session information records for reuse with data-incompatible systems. This study used a questionnaire instrument to survey healthcare providers in the United States who use, or have used, expert systems or decision support systems. The survey results were evaluated using descriptive correlation and regression analysis methods to measure customer's concern regarding the lack of consistency outcomes among expert systems. Results of the present research study will address a gap in the literature by increasing practitioners' understanding of customers' needs and expectations regarding the problem, as well as identify where to target further research on the problem. |
