Abstract: Confusion exists among database textbooks as to the goal of normalization as well as to which normal form a designer should aspire. This article discusses such discrepancies with the intention of simplifying normalization for both teacher and student. This author’s industry and classroom experiences indicate such simplification yields quicker learning and more complete understanding by students.

Keywords: Normalization, Normal forms, Database, Data redundancy, Structure redundancy

Download this article: JISE - Volume 19 Number 4, Page 379.pdf

Recommended Citation: Carpenter, D. A. (2008). Teaching Tip: Clarifying Normalization. Journal of Information Systems Education, 19(4), 379-382.