MIS Chapter 4 content review

Question 1

What are the three main problems we face in evaluating information?

Answer 1

1. Information Overload
2. Bias and Perspective
3. Cognitive Biases and Heuristics

Examples:
- Information Overload: A Google search returns thousands of results, making it hard to determine credibility.
- Bias and Perspective: A news article written by a political group may highlight only one side of an issue.
- Cognitive Biases and Heuristics: Trusting a familiar brand over a lesser-known but higher-quality alternative.

Question 2

Define the Availability Heuristic.

Answer 2

Judging the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind.

Example: After seeing news about plane crashes, a person believes flying is more dangerous than driving.

Question 3

Define the Representativeness Heuristic.

Answer 3

Judging probabilities based on how well something fits a stereotype.

Example: Assuming someone wearing glasses and reading a book is more likely to be a professor than a truck driver.

Question 4

What is a ‘cognitive miser’?

Answer 4

Someone who conserves mental energy by relying on shortcuts instead of deep analysis.

Example: Trusting a news headline without reading the full article.

Question 5

What is the difference between bias and perspective?

Answer 5

Bias is intentional distortion or misleading information; Perspective is a point of view that may highlight certain aspects over others.

Example of Bias: A company falsely reporting high profits to attract investors.
Example of Perspective: A climate scientist focusing on carbon emissions in global warming discussions.

Question 6

What is Information Overload?

Answer 6

When too much data makes it hard to process and make decisions.

Ways to manage it:
- Filtering
- Heuristics
- Delegation
- Automation

Question 7

List the nine quality dimensions of high-quality information.

Answer 7

• Accuracy
• Completeness
• Consistency
• Uniqueness
• Timeliness
• Validity
• Accessibility
• Security
• Relevance

Refer to Belanger Table 3.1.

Question 8

How do you evaluate information in terms of usefulness?

Answer 8

Does the information help solve a problem or make a decision?

Example: Market research data is useful for business strategy.

Question 9

How do you evaluate information in terms of believability?

Answer 9

Can the information be trusted based on its source and evidence?

Example: A peer-reviewed scientific journal is more believable than a random blog post.

Question 10

What is disinformation?

Answer 10

Intentionally false or misleading information spread to deceive.

Example: A fake news article claiming a celebrity has died when they haven’t.