Reference no: EM132201056

SI-Theory Search

Discussion and assignment need to lable

Now that you have described a situation and identified aims, goals, and variables, it is time to look for concepts and models that you can use to explain your situation. This is theory search. Organizational leaders and managers have to figure out where to look to find suitable theories; they also have to examining their variables to see what kinds of data they will need to gather.

This week you will search for theories that can apply to the issue you identified. You will also analyze approaches for data gathering and evaluation.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Analyze theories for an identified issue

Analyze approaches for data gathering

Evaluate data

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week's required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Reading

Dickey, J. W., Birdsall, I. A., Larkin, G. R., & Kwang, K. S. (2015). Supernumerary intelligence: A new approach to analytics for management. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Press.

Chapter 5, "Step 2. Theory Search" (pp. 67-80)
Chapter 6, "Step 2. Theory Search (Continued)" (pp. 81-94)

Discussion: Step 2-Theory Search

In the context of analytics and QCQ, a theory means a model or concept that can be used to explain data. The second step of QCQ involves finding the variables that directly influence the goal variables.

To prepare:

Review Chapters 5 and 6 of your course text, focusing on Step 2 of the QCQ process.

Explore well-known theories and/or localized theories by doing your own online research to help understand both the issue you identified last week in the Discussion as well as possible variables or links. Use your course text for guidance.

For example, if tablets require consistent maintenance at a school, getting tablets that are protected from the sun's glare might reduce the need for maintenance.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post an explanation of at least two well-known or localized theories that could be variables or links to the issue you identified in the Discussion last week. Provide examples showing how they relate to your issue.

Be sure to support your posts and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Respond to at least two of your colleagues'' posts. Provide recommendations for other possible theories or links, or else provide feedback on variables, links, or invariables that you do not think are appropriate for the issue they selected. Provide your reasoning.

Assignment: Difficult Analysis

Theory search is more difficult when there are no data to go on at all. In those situations, you cannot apply a theory to data directly related to the case, but you can look at similar cases and find analogous data. If the analogous data were explained by a good theory, there are chances that theory could apply to your situation.

To prepare:

Think about a situation or issue where data would not already exist.

Review the case in Chapter 6 "An Expanded Learning Case: The New Minivan" to start your thinking. Focus on the expanded learning case.

Your example could be a fairly new innovation or something hypothetical (e.g., cars that fly).

Look for data that might compensate for data that do not already exist.

In 2-3 pages:

Explain how you would approach this issue.

Include a description of what data you might gather to compensate for the data that do not already exist.

Review the data you gathered, and provide a short analysis of what you found.

Include the link or references for the data you collected.