Reference no: EM133128761
IFN521 Foundations of Decision Science - Queensland University of Technology
Assessment - Critique of Information Theories
Rationale and Description
Critical analysis is an important skill both for academic study and the workplace. The ability to critically analyse how information affects decision making is an advanced skill. In addition, demonstrating an understanding of how the cognitive aspects of human information processing impacts information-based decisions provides a trans disciplinary analytical foundation for modelling real-world human decision making which is technology agnostic.
Learning Outcome 1: your understanding of selected information theories in order to critique them.
Learning Outcome 2: your ability to think critically about the information theories, and apply them to a given information scenario.
Learning Outcome 3: your ability to compare the information theories by identifying their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Learning Outcome 4: your understanding of relevant components of human cognition in the context of the given information scenario.
Learning Outcome 5: your ability to apply your understanding of human cognition to an analysis of theories of information.
Detailed Instructions
You must provide concise, coherent arguments justifying your critical analysis of the two theories of information, as well as how these theories address a cognitive perspective of information in human decision problems. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, Rather, it is the quality of your arguments that are the central issue. Concise, coherent arguments are the means to achieve a good assignment outcome.
During workshops, and as part of preparatory materials, we will provide you with some background about each of the two information theories you will be addressing: Shannon's and Dretske's information theories, as well as four important aspects of cognition: perception, memory, dual process thinking, and cognitive biases.
You will be required to write about these theories in the context of a specific human decision scenario, with respect to two hypothetical Persons. You will be given a set of information scenarios to choose from in week 2.
The following sections must be addressed in critique.
1. Introduction [max 250 words]. Briefly introduce your critique by stating the scenario you have chosen and summarising the main points of your arguments.
2. Cognitive perspective [max 750 words].
Concisely describe the following cognitive aspects with respect to Person A and Person B in the context of the information scenario, paying particular attention to the key similarities and differences between each person in the scenario:
i. Perception
ii. Memory
iii. Dual Process thinking
iv. Cognitive Biases (we suggest discussing 2-3 cognitive biases here)
3. Shannon Information Theory Perspective [max 500 words].
a. Concisely describe the application of Shannon's theory to the scenario with respect to Person A
b. Concisely describe the application of Shannon's theory to the scenario with respect to Person B
c. Identify relevant aspects of Shannon's theory and describe briefly how these relate to the cognitive aspects that you discussed in section (2)
4. Dretske Information Theory Perspective [max 500 words].
a. Concisely describe the application of Dretske's theory to the scenario with respect to Person A
b. Concisely describe the application of Dretske's theory to the scenario with respect to Person B.
c. Identify relevant aspects of Dretske's theory and describe briefly how these relate to the cognitive aspects that you discussed in section
5. Critical Comparison [max 750 words]
a. Briefly describe your own views of information. State which information theory best aligns with your views of information and justify why.
b. Concisely and coherently argue which theory (i.e., Shannon's or Dretske's) best relates to the cognitive aspects discussed in section (2).
c. Compare and contrast what you think are the relative strengths and weaknesses of each of the above theories in relation to how information is used in human decision making.
d. Following your analysis of the above points, describe and justify an expected decision outcome for Person A and Person B.
Questions
Questions relating to the assessment should be directed initially to the teaching staff during the workshop times. The teaching staff may address these for the benefit of the whole class.
If you need to clarify something outside of these times, please direct your queries via Slack. A fellow student may have the same question and may benefit from the answer. Additionally, another student may know the answer to your question and be able to answer it at times when the teaching staff are unavailable (i.e., outside business hours). Teaching staff will monitor and respond to queries on the Slack channel, however, will generally only be able to do this during normal business hours.
Attachment:- Foundations of Decision Science.rar