ABSTRACT Background: Conceptual models are an essential phase in software design, but they can create confusion and reduced performance for students in Database Design courses. Objective: A novel Relational Data Model Validation Tool (MVTool) was developed and tested to determine (1) if students who use MVTool perform better than those who do not, and (2) if design skills improve after using MVTool. Method: After a pre-test of database design skills, 68 students were divided into matched-pair control and experimental groups. All completed a database design task, with the experimental group having access to MVTool and the control group having no access to the tool. Findings: Notable improvements in specific design skills could be consistently detected in students after the introduction of the tool. Implications: Validation tools such as MVTool may help students to understand modeling languages and conventions used in database design, thereby improving their skill development and course outcomes.

中文翻译：

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使用 UML 评估学生概念建模技能的实证研究

摘要背景：概念模型是软件设计中的一个重要阶段，但它们会给学生在数据库设计课程中造成混淆和性能下降。目标：开发并测试了一种新型关系数据模型验证工具 (MVTool)，以确定 (1) 使用 MVTool 的学生是否比不使用的学生表现更好，以及 (2) 使用 MVTool 后设计技能是否有所提高。方法：经过数据库设计技能的预测试，将68名学生分为配对对照组和实验组。所有人都完成了数据库设计任务，实验组可以访问 MVTool，而对照组不能访问该工具。发现：在引入该工具后，可以在学生中持续检测到特定设计技能的显着提高。含义：