Informing Students About Information: Seven Semantic Exercises

2016 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: McKinney Jr., Earl; Yoos II, Charles J.

Abstract: Information is a term widely but carelessly used in our day-to-day language Whil ... Expand

Abstract: Information is a term widely but carelessly used in our day-to-day language While used poorly as a common expression, a growing number of recent publications on information have identified the importance of the term for both IS research and practice. Most of these publications, seeking to anchor the term more specifically, attribute meaning to information to distinguish it from data. In this paper, we present several in-class exercises we have developed to help students understand the implications of this semantic distinction. While one can use these exercises to teach and explain any semantic theory of information, they were originally designed to reinforce a particular semantic theory of information—the difference theory of information (McKinney & Yoos, n.d.). We discuss the lessons we learned and the paper’s limitations and implications. Collapse

Topics: marketing management

Methods: experiment

Theories: semantic theory difference theory

Informing About Semantic Information: A Set of Exercises and Lessons Learned

2015 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: McKinney, Earl; Ii, Charles Yoos

Abstract: Information is a ubiquitous term that in both academic and practical settings is ... Expand

Abstract: Information is a ubiquitous term that in both academic and practical settings is taken seriously while used carelessly (Lee 2010; McKinney and Yoos 2015). While used poorly, a growing number of recent publications on information identify the importance of the term for both IS research and practice (Boell and Cecez-Kecmanovic 2011; Floridi 2011; Kettinger and Li 2010; Mingers 2013). While the academic community is now engaging the topic, most students are unaware of how they become informed. We believe informing is related to meaning, that information changes a mind. To help students understand the implications of this semantic aspect of information we have developed a number of classroom exercises. We’ve used these exercises with freshmen, EMBA students, and in management, statistics and MIS courses at three institutions and in small and large lecture formats. This paper introduces these exercises. It is organized from shortest and simplest exercises to longest and most complex. In turn we briefly describe semantic theories of information, criteria we use in designing the exercises, the exercises themselves and lessons learned. Collapse

Topics: marketing management

Theories: difference theory semantic theory theory of information

A Semantic Analysis of Security Policy Formulation and Implementation: A Case Study

2006 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Lapke, Michael; Dhillon, Gurpreet

Abstract: This study is aimed at understanding how multiple perspectives of stakeholders a ... Expand

Abstract: This study is aimed at understanding how multiple perspectives of stakeholders are incorporated in the formulation of security policy. The research was guided by the Theory of Semantics. A framework was created from established semantic theory. Guided by the framework, a case study was carried out at a large state University. The point of the case study was to provide insight into security policy formulation. This insight may guide researchers in developing principles for effective security policy design. The development and implementation of this framework of semantic analysis is the major contribution of this paper. This framework could also help future researchers pursue semantic research. Collapse

Topics: security policy IT security training

Methods: case study qualitative interview

Theories: semantic theory

Enhancing the Expressiveness of the Bunge-Wand-Weber Ontology

2005 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Rosemann, Michael; Wyssusek, Boris

Abstract: In practical terms, conceptual modeling is at the core of systems analysis and d ... Expand

Abstract: In practical terms, conceptual modeling is at the core of systems analysis and design. The plurality of modeling methods available has however been regarded as detrimental, and as a strong indication that a common view or theoretical grounding of modeling is wanting. This theoretical foundation must universally address all potential matters to be represented in a model, which consequently suggested ontology as the point of departure for theory development. The Bunge–Wand–Weber (BWW) ontology has become a widely accepted modeling theory. Its application has simultaneously led to the recognition that, although suitable as a meta-model, the BWW ontology needs to be enhanced regarding its expressiveness in empirical domains. In this paper, a first step in this direction has been made by revisiting BUNGE’s ontology, and by proposing the integration of a “hierarchy of systems”in the BWW ontology for accommodating domain specific conceptualizations. Collapse

Topics: knowledge representation

Methods: Bunge Wand Weber ontology ontological modelling theory development modeling language upper ontology

Theories: semantic theory social sciences theory evolutionary theory

An Epistemological Foundation of Concpetual Modeling

2004 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Ribbert, Michael; Niehaves, Bjoern; Dreiling, Alexander; Holten, Roland

Abstract: In a business environment, making the right decisions is vital for the success o ... Expand

Abstract: In a business environment, making the right decisions is vital for the success of a company. Making right decisions is inevitably bound to the availability and provision of relevant information. Information systems are supposed to be able to provide this information in an efficient way. Thus, within information systems development a detailed analysis of information supply and information demands has to prevail. Based on Szyperski’s information set and subset-model we will give an epistemological foundation of information modeling in general and show, why conceptual modeling in particular is capable of developing effective and efficient information systems. Furthermore, we derive conceptual modeling requirements based on our findings. Collapse

Topics: systems development knowledge representation

Methods: conceptual modelling data modeling design science modeling language case study

Theories: semantic theory

Semantic database prototypes

1993 | Information Systems Journal | Citations: 0

Authors: Baskerville, R.

Abstract: Abstract. This paper describes a technique for improving the semantic consensus ... Expand

Abstract: Abstract. This paper describes a technique for improving the semantic consensus of conceptual database designs. Semantic consensus is a condition where there is pragmatic agreement among database designers and all of the users about which aspect of reality is being represented by a particular database element, and how that representation is being coded. The technique, called semantic database prototyping (SDP), involves a prototype that has been designed and constructed purely as a consequence of the semantic data model. The purpose of the semantic database prototype is to promote direct user validation during the conceptual database design phase of information systems analysis and design. Its distinguishing characteristic is its capture of data element occurrences within the context of the database design. The research method was action research, and the project is also briefly described. Collapse

Topics: database system systems development semantic data model logistics management procurement information system

Methods: action research database modeling design artifact entity relationship modeling design science

Theories: semantic theory