Information Gathering Essay

Words: 1102
Pages: 5

#1. The explanatory variables of signal coding, signal interpretation and search behavior evoked can be related or compared to three decision-making models. Those three decision-makings models are the behavioral decision, garbage can model and the political model theories. According to the behavioral decision theory, decision makers deal with chaos and uncertainty but ultimately make their decisions on what they know. This means that based on their knowledge, beliefs, and values, decision makers incorporate these values to make appropriate decisions. The other theory described in the article is the garbage can model. This model states that a decision maker makes a decision based upon whatever problems, options and solutions are available
#3. The problem-directed search and goal-directed search are used in decision-making process. Both provide different results. As noted in Table 5 of the article, a disadvantage of using a problem-directed search is that regardless of the premised used, (Need, Opportunity, Undefined threat and Defined threat), the problem-directed approached resulted in a far less favorable outcomes as opposed to using a goal-directed approach. Plus, as stated in the article, “Problem-directed searches are less successful than goal-directed searches” (Nutt, 614). An advantage to using the goal-directed approach is that when a goal/target is already established, decision makers are able to follow a more structured method format. This means that they can follow a formal procedure like: brainstorming ideas, searching for factual data and then implementing a solution. Which in turn will lead to better results. As detailed in the article, “ This leads to superior results with better value and more use, compared to most of the other searches” (Nutt, 616). However, a disadvantage of the goal-directed approach is when a goal/target is not available. This makes it difficult for decision makers to compare the data collected to make confident decisions. Per the article, “A decision would seem difficult when decision makers are unsure of their goals making criteria to weigh the merits of an alternative argumentative” (Nutt, 607). In the article, one can conclude that no