CSIT58 F 0956 Task 9 Assignment: Evidence and Computer Hardware

30 Points Due date: November 7. Late deadline November 20.

Reading:

In this assignment you will look at examples of intuition, appeals to authority and testimonials. You will also perform research on buying a computer.

Part 1 Intuition and Personal Experience

Answer the following in a Word document called Task9. Number each answer carefully.

1. (5 points) Intuition is a difficult thing to describe. As the textbook says, "A major problem with intuition is that it is private; others have no way to judge its dependability." Read "What's Your Intuition?" at http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/38/klein.html. This article is 7 pages. If you want to see the whole thing at once, click the Print Article link.

a. What are the steps Soelberg identifies in the classic decision-making method?

b. What is the STAR method?

c. Why can't we use computers to make critical decisions for us?

2. (5 points) According to Gary Klein's observations, experts in life threatening situations do not use the classic decision-making method or the STAR method. Write a couple of paragraphs summarizing how they make decisions. Make sure you mention the use of experience and where intuition and ESP actually come from. Use at least one example case from the article.

3. (10 points) Shop online for a notebook computer. Answer the following:

a. Manufacturer and model number:

b. URL pointing directly to a description of that model:

c. Price:

d. Processor:

e. Memory:

f. Hard drive:

g. CD or DVD:

h. Monitor size:

i. Software:

j. Extra Items (printer, carrying case, etc.)

4. (5 points) Shop for a printer. Answer the following:

a. Manufacturer and model number:

b. URL pointing directly to a description of that model:

c. Price:

d. Type of printer (black and white laser, color laser, ink jet):

e. Speed:

Save the document and upload to Tasks, Tests and Surveys.

Part 2 Evidence Discussion 5 points

There are so many alternative places to buy computer equipment and different brands, it can be confusing. You can find information on the Internet about computer sellers and manufacturers in buying guides, discussion groups or advertisements. Use a search engine to find evidence supporting why you should or should NOT buy from a particular source. The evidence must be from at least one of the categories covered in Chapter 8 of Asking the Right Questions:

1. (1 point) In the subject line of your post, put the title of the web page, site or blog you found. Do not choose one that someone else has done.

2. (2 points) In the body of the message, write a paragraph saying where you should (or shouldn't buy from). Use the evidence you found. You can copy and paste evidence from the web page. Copy and paste the URL also. Do NOT identify the type of evidence in your post. Another student will do that part.

3. (2 points) Read another student's posting. Reply identifying the type of evidence that student has presented. If they did not use a type of evidence from the list above, say so. Reply to a posting that has not been replied to yet or to one where you feel that the reply was not correct.

Note down the name of the student you replied to and type it in the answer box for Part 2 in Tasks, Tests and Surveys.