Decision making: Influence of features and presentation mode upon generation of alternatives

Abstract

Decision making can be defined as the process of making reasoned choices among alternatives based upon judgments consistent with the values of the decision maker. Models describing decision making generally include: identification of the problem, collection of relevant information, generation of alternatives, identification of consequences of alternatives, and selection of alternatives. This research focuses on the ability of children to generate alternatives in decision-making tasks. The problem was to determine the differential effects of the number of features of a decision-making situation in interview and computer-simulation modes on the number of alternatives children generate. The study involved 208 children with equal numbers of 2nd and 4th grade boys and girls. Each child responded to three decision-making situations either in an interview or computer-simulation mode. The three situations varied on the number of features of the award objects. An increase in the number of features (color) of the award objects (jelly beans) in a decision-making situation increased the number of alternatives generated. The children in this study generated more alternatives in the interview setting than with the computer simulation.

Designing alternatives in decision problems

“…A more general and conceptual perspective was discussed during the same period in [63] focussing upon the cognitive aspects of the alternatives generation process and in [47] where a decision process dimension is explicitly considered (how alternatives are generated within specific types of decision processes). The authors emphasise the specificity of this decision aiding activity showing how this can result in completely different outcomes for the decision maker.…”

Operaciones y destrezas implicadas en la toma de decisiones sobre una problemática energética, identificadas por maestros en formación inicial

“…De manera general, los datos muestran que el profesorado en formación inicial (PF) identifica un bajo número de operaciones a realizar ante la resolución de una problemática sociocientífica. Esto se pone de manifiesto dado que 47 de ellos consideran que se deberían ejecutar dos o tres operaciones en sus planteamientos, 13 propone la realización de cuatro y solamente uno de ellos recoge en sus respuestas las cinco operaciones que podríamos considerar deseables de llevar a cabo ante una toma de decisiones (Heath, White, Berlin y Park, 1987).…”

“…Tabla 1. Sistema de análisis de las operaciones implicadas en la toma de decisiones (Heath, White, Berlin y Park, 1987).…”

Using Q Methodology to Explore Science Teachers’ Socioscientific Decision-Making

“…In other words, making informed decisions is accredited as an essential ability to negotiate SSIs. In decision-making process, individuals make rational choices among alternatives based upon judgments consistent with their values (Heath, White, Berlin and Park, 1987). The rationale and conclusions that individuals put forward while making a decision on SSIs is of importance in their evaluation of the issue and reaching a final decision.…”