ITPRD101A Critical Thinking for the IT Professional

Case Study 2 Assessment

Instructions

Assessment Type: Case Study individual assessment

Case studies assess students understanding of concepts presented in weekly lectures and tutorials by researching and analysing real life situations.

Weighting: 35% [Total 50 marks]]

Due Date: Sunday 2 June 2024 11:55pm (Week 14)

Assessment Description: Report: Complete Questions 1 7

Submission Details: Submit either a Word document or PDF file on Moodle.

Similarity report: Ensure you use your own words when writing all parts of your case study.

(do not cut and paste)

A 20% similarity report is permitted for this assessment.

Plagiarism: True plagiarism will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Penalties will apply.

e.g. A similarity report of 40% will receive 10% (40-30) penalty on the final mark.

True plagiarism 60% will receive a zero mark.

Special consideration: Must be applied for before or within 3 days of the assessment.

Detailed evidence of your extenuating situation must be provided.

Case Study Question 1 (10 marks):

Your task is to conduct research on various sources, including news articles, videos, advertisements, or any other published information (excluding information provided as course materials) to find examples of deductive and inductive arguments. For each of at least two instances of each type of argument:

Include references for your sources.

Provide a detailed explanation of each argument, highlighting the premises and conclusions.

Evaluate the effectiveness of each argument in terms of its logical structure and persuasiveness.

Discuss the context in which each argument is presented and its potential impact on the audience.

Example 1: Deductive Argument

Source: News Article titled "The Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife Population Decline"

Premises:

Major Premise: Climate change leads to habitat destruction.

Minor Premise: The habitat of polar bears is affected by climate change.

Conclusion: Therefore, the polar bear population is declining due to habitat destruction caused by climate change.

Evaluation:

The argument follows a valid deductive structure.

The premises logically lead to the conclusion.

The argument is supported by empirical evidence linking climate change and habitat destruction.

Example 2: Inductive Argument

Source: Advertisement for a New Energy Drink

Premises:

Observation: Athletes who consume this energy drink report increased endurance during workouts.

Generalization: Most athletes who try this energy drink experience enhanced performance.

Conclusion: Therefore, this energy drink improves athletic performance.

Evaluation:

The argument relies on empirical observations to make a generalization.

The generalization is not necessarily supported by scientific evidence or controlled studies.

The conclusion is based on the assumption that what works for most athletes will work for all.

Note: Students should critically analyse the validity and soundness of each argument, considering factors such as logical coherence, evidence, and potential biases or fallacies.

Response 1: Deductive Argument

Premises

Evaluation

References:

Response 1: Inductive Argument

Premises

Evaluation

References:

Case Study Question 2 (10 marks):

Your task is to conduct research on various sources, including news articles, advertisements, videos, or any other published information (excluding information provided as course materials), to identify at least five examples of different types of logical fallacies. Each example must be properly referenced.

Identify and describe each fallacy, providing a clear explanation of how it is manifested in the given example.

Analyse the impact of the fallacy on the overall argument or message conveyed in the source.

Discuss potential strategies for correcting or mitigating the effects of the fallacy to improve the credibility and persuasiveness of the argument.

Exemplar:

Example of Fallacy: Ad Hominem

Source: News Article titled "The Mayor's Proposal for Urban Renewal"

In-text Citation: (Smith, 2023)

Description: The article criticizes the mayor's proposal for urban renewal by attacking the mayor's personal character rather than addressing the merits of the proposal itself. It includes statements such as "The mayor's track record of failed initiatives proves that this proposal is bound to be another disaster."

Analysis: The ad hominem fallacy undermines the credibility of the argument by diverting attention away from the substance of the proposal. Instead of engaging with the proposal's merits or drawbacks, the focus is shifted to attacking the character of the individual proposing it. This fallacy can weaken the overall persuasiveness of the argument and hinder constructive discourse.

Strategies for Correction: To correct this fallacy, the focus should be shifted back to the merits of the proposal itself. Constructive criticism can be provided by evaluating the feasibility, potential benefits, and drawbacks of the urban renewal plan without resorting to personal attacks. By engaging in substantive debate and presenting evidence-based arguments, the credibility of the critique can be enhanced, leading to a more productive discussion on urban development policies.

References:

Smith, J. (2023). The Mayor's Proposal for Urban Renewal. City Gazette. Retrieved from [URL]

Example of Fallacy 1:

Description

Analysis

Strategies for Correction

References:

Example of Fallacy 2:

Description

Analysis

Strategies for Correction

References:

Example of Fallacy 3:

Description

Analysis

Strategies for Correction

References:

Example of Fallacy 4:

Description

Analysis

Strategies for Correction

References:

Example of Fallacy 5:

Description

Analysis

Strategies for Correction

References:

Case Study Question 3 (10 marks):

Recent market research conducted by Safe World Pty Ltd cybersecurity consultancy strongly suggests that they need to consider developing at least one of either a new product for customer identity protection online (IDPplus), or a new bot management shield (BOMs). The respective information for each product is as follows:

IDPplusCost to develop = $150,000

Chance of success in market = 0.5

Predicted sales if successful = $950,000

Chance of failure in market = 0.5

Predicted sales if fail = $0

BOMs

Cost to develop = $15,000

Chance of success in market = 0.6

Predicted sales if successful = $300,000

Chance of failure in market = 0.4

Predicted sales if fail - $0A decision tree for this exercise has been partially completed below.

4584700IDPplusBomsDo nothing-$150,000

-$15,000

Payoff

Success (0.5)

Failure (0.5)

Failure (0.4)

Success (0.6)

Neither (1.0)

A

$0A

D

C

B

$950,000

$300,000

$0

$0

$0

IDPplusBomsDo nothing-$150,000

-$15,000

Payoff

Success (0.5)

Failure (0.5)

Failure (0.4)

Success (0.6)

Neither (1.0)

A

$0A

D

C

B

$950,000

$300,000

$0

$0

$0

Enter the Payoff figures for the sections denoted with the letters A to D, in the below table. Show your calculations for A only. (E has already been done for you.) [3 marks]

A B C D E

$0

A B C D E

What are the EVs for IDPplus and BOMs? Show all working and calculations. [3marks]

Bob is a senior accountant for Safe World. He is discussing what to do with the results produced by this decision Tree exercise with Hema. Hema is a senior IT consultant for the firm. Aware of having almost exceeded allocated budgets for the year, Bob says the following: We can now contextualise the results of these calculations with the reality of our organisations financial status. According to this method, I can see that the outlay for BOMs is only $15,000. This is more achievable for our organisation at this time of the financial year. The initial outlay for BOMs is also 10 times less than IDPplus, which adds to BOMs attractiveness. Anyway, why can we not just look at the cost of each product versus the financial benefit we expect from it, like for a typical cost-benefit analysis? Therefore, the better choice according to this model is BOMs.

Hema politely disagrees with Bob, saying the following: This is not how to determine the best option using this method.

Imagine that you are Hema. Answer the following questions below to structure your explanation to him:

Explain why knowing the Cost to develop without considering any of the calculations here cannot be used to determine the better option using this method. [1 mark]

Explain to Bob how the cost-benefit analysis he mentioned can be used as part of the overall decisionmaking process, but that it is not relevant in this specific exercise. [1 mark]

How would taking into account the results of a cost-benefit analysis and several other methods that might give different answers to support a critical thinking approach here? [1 mark]

Explain to Bob which of the options used in the Decision Tree approach is the better option, and why it is so. [1 mark]

Response

Case Study Question 4 (5 marks):

Briefly outline one interesting point that you learnt about Game Theory in this subject. Explain why you found that point to be interesting. You may refer to any of the examples that we looked at during the semester, and any other examples that you may have read. Please keep your answer brief. Approximately four or five lines should be adequate.

Case Study Question 5 (5 marks):

All candidates should satisfy the following three criteria to be considered for a position at FinTechCo:

Professional qualifications (P)

Industry Experience (E)

Leadership qualities (L)

Due to an improvement of current recruitment strategies, FinTechCo has recently experienced exponential growth, resulting in a new total of 105 employees.

A recent mandatory employee survey revealed:

77 staff have Professional qualifications, the necessary industry Experience and Leadership qualities (i.e. satisfy all three criteria)

82 staff have Professional qualifications and the necessary industry Experience.

85 staff have Professional qualifications and Leadership qualities.

80 staff have the necessary industry Experience and Leadership qualities.

6 staff have Professional qualifications only.

4 staff have Leadership qualities only.

How many employees have the necessary industry Experience only? [1 mark]

How many employees have the necessary industry Experience and Leadership qualities but do not have Professional qualifications? [1 mark]

One employee is chosen at random from the group of 105 employees. What is the probability that the student:

has Leadership qualities only? [1 mark]

satisfies two or more of the above criteria? [1 mark]

Two employees are chosen at random from the group of 105 employees. What is the probability that both employees have professional qualifications? Show your working.

[1 marks]

Response:

a)

b)

c) i)

c) ii)

d)

Case Study Question 6 (5 marks):

In Systems Thinking a feedback loop is what we call a set of relationships where one variable leads to a change in another variable that eventually leads to a change in the original variable.

1. In the following descriptions of two feedback loops, one is a balancing loop and one is a reinforcing loop. Select the balancing loop and explain why it is a balancing loop in a minimum of one sentence?

a. Eating will cause you to feel full and stop eating, but not eating will cause you to feel hungry and start eating.

b. A dam starts to leak, water flows over the dam wall, it further erodes the wall which leads to more water flowing over, causing more erosion.

Which is a Balancing loop (1 mark): (a) or (b)?:

Explanation (1 mark):

2. From the following description of two feedback loops one is a balancing loop, and one is a reinforcing loop, select the reinforcing loop and explain why it is a reinforcing loop in a minimum of one sentence?

a. You have money in a bank account that earns interest, that money is added to your balance and so you earn interest on even more money.

b. When the internal temperature of your body increases, you sweat, and as that sweat evaporates from the warm surface of your body, you cool down.

Which is a Reinforcing loop (1 mark): (a) or (b)?:

Explanation (1 mark) (one sentence):.3. Provide your own example of a balancing loop and an example of a reinforcing loop. (.5 mark each)

Response

1)

2a)

2b)

3)

Case Study Question 7 (5 marks):

Highlight your response for each questionby changing the font colour or by shading the paragraph.

Of the statements below, only one is an argument. The others are non-arguments. Indicate which one of a. to e. is an argument:

Some students do not attend all their class. For instance, Julian usually logs on to the class on critical thinking but then leaves halfway through to meet up with friends. Such behaviour is indicative of poor learning habits.

Before accepting a part-time job, consider whether you have allowed sufficient spare time to prepare for your classes and tests, as the job may be too demanding on your energies.

The roof is leaking. The roof is leaking because the wind has lifted a tile from the roof.

Joshua did not do well in his programming subject because he did not attend many classes.

Manpreet attends every programming class, takes notes of all important points, and regularly practices review questions based on what has been taught. We can conclude that Manpreet will probably get good marks in their programming subject.

Which of the following is an example of an inductive argument?

All men are mortal.

Socrates is a man.

Therefore Socrates is mortal.

Every man is an animal.

Socrates is a man.

Therefore Socrates is an animal.

All women live forever.

Antonia is a woman.

Therefore Antonia will live forever.

No man has ever lived more than 150 years.

Socrates is a man.

Therefore it is highly unlikely that Socrates will live more than 150 years.

Andromeda is a woman.

All women are mortal.

So, Andromeda is mortal.

Which fallacy is best illustrated by the following statements?

Oh, so you do not believe in recycling. I didnt know that you wanted everyone on this planet to die.

No True Scotsman

Strawman

Fallacy

Appeal to Nature

Ad hominem

Which fallacy is best illustrated by the following statements?

Any law can be cancelled (removed). The laws of Physics are laws, therefore they can be cancelled.

Appeal to Science

Burden of Proof

Bandwagon

Composition/Division

Personal Incredulity.

Which of the following is not a description of Systems Thinking?

expanding the range of choices available for solving a problem by broadening our thinking and helping us articulate problems in new and different ways.

making us aware that there are no perfect solutions; the choices we make will have an impact on other parts of the system.

resolving a problem through an invention or scientific discovery.

moving from observing events or data, to identifying patterns of behaviour over time.