Case-based evidence
Case-based Evidence (German case-based detection ) is a scientific method, which is based on the assumption, is that certain patterns of human behavior, in the sense of "Settings" and "attitudes", particularly with regard to the acceptance of systems, technical devices and procedures, transferring a number of given problems, the “sources of analogy”, to another, current problem, the “goal of analogy”.
The term "case-based evidence" and the procedure described below were used and coined for the first time - since 2009 - in the work of the Information Management Institute (IMI) at the Technical University of Aschaffenburg ( Georg Rainer Hofmann ).
classification
Business informatics developed in the 30 years from approx. 1980 to 2010 in the sense of an interface function between the technically oriented (core) computer science and the application-oriented business administration. The two central questions of a technical (according to the engineering design) and business management (according to the utility of the applications) form a focus in business informatics in German-speaking countries. The case-based evidence method is based on analogy, in contrast to learning by induction and deduction . For the assessment of technical and economic systems in business informatics, induction conclusions from observed phenomena to a more general knowledge (“scientific theory”) are widespread.
From the “theory”, deductive (predictive) conclusions are drawn about new or future phenomena. How induction conclusions and deduction are to be designed exactly is the subject of controversial (“epistemological”) discussions; one form is that of design science research. Critical rationalism according to Karl Popper in particular rejects induction as an illusion and denies the possibility of objective progress in knowledge, in stark contrast to the "objective progressive knowledge" of Hegel's dialectic .
When observing the behavior of people - in the social sciences - induction conclusions are sometimes difficult because often only quantitative, ambiguous statements (“partial-partial statements”) are available. Therefore, the formulation of generally applicable laws of social behavior is often abandoned in favor of a "quantifying" - quasi prosaic - representation.
One way out of this unsatisfactory situation is to renounce spatially and temporally unlimited “scientific” theories (“ grand theories ”) in favor of the theory of medium range . This term was established by Robert K. Merton in 1949 and developed further in the 1960s. The theories of medium range go beyond the “microtheories” of the mere empirical description of social behavior and pursue a subjective-interpretative approach based on synoptic modeling on the basis of historical-empirical observations; one is therefore content with “local”, spatially and temporally limited statements. The statements of the theories of medium range are to be regarded neither as highly complex nor as trivial .
method
The case-based evidence method is based on several sub-steps. Inferences by analogy form the core and provide mechanisms as a result that can (presumably) be transferred to the current case from the analogy sources. These mechanisms are then represented in a synoptic model and finally checked in a series of qualified expert interviews .
Formulation of the research question
Narrowing down the question can be seen as the most important basis for finding suitable analogies . Only if the research question addresses exactly the knowledge gap that is most urgent for acceptance can suitable analogous cases be sought and found in which this knowledge gap has already been closed as precisely, precisely and adequately as possible.
Identification of relevant analogy components
In order to be able to find suitable analogies, the given case - the goal of the analogy - and the problem to be solved must first be considered more closely. Here it is important to find the components that probably have the greatest influence on the problem to be solved. Relevant analogy components can be found in
- the characteristics of the case under consideration,
- the relationship of properties,
- the user group or
- the relationship of the user group to components of the case
to be found. So far, no algorithmic solution is known as to how a workable analogy can be found accurately. However, an analogy will only prove to be viable if it is based on relevant analogy components.
Identification of analogous cases
With the help of the analogy components found and the abstract formulation of the problem, analogous cases - the sources of analogy - can be searched for. The search for analog cases can be done from two perspectives:
- The structural analogy focuses on finding properties and structures of the initial situation in the analogy. This form of analogy is particularly preferable for existing products and services or ongoing projects. The factors of the analogy goal that are considered critical for acceptance represent the starting point of the search. You should therefore look for cases that are similar with regard to the named critical factors and have already solved the resulting, expected acceptance problems. Since the acceptance of a product, a service or a project may depend on several attributes, it is advisable to look for a separate analogy for the components of a case that are classified as particularly relevant for acceptance.
- The goal analogy focuses on which goal should be achieved with the given case. We are looking for a kind of “role model” that has already achieved the goal that is to be achieved with the given case. This goal should be described in different levels of abstraction so that both close and distant analogies can be addressed. This form of analogy is particularly suitable for projects in the planning phase or for innovative product development.
Research related activities
At which point in the case-based evidence process further research is appropriate depends on which expertise is available ad-hoc with regard to the analogy target and the analogy sources. With the research and theoretical preliminary considerations, all relevant information that can be "easily researched" should be researched and documented both for the analogy target that is specified and for the analogy sources. There is no real guideline value for the scope of the research - a pragmatic approach is to avoid asking trivial questions in the expert interviews to be carried out later that could have been answered with a simple query via the Internet search engine.
Drawing conclusions by analogy
The components of the analogy conclusions of the case-based evidence method can be described as follows:
- Current case - the analogy goal . A given case is assumed in which the motives of the people involved, which lead to their particular behavior, cannot be clearly understood or are "open" and therefore represent the research question. In addition, it is not clear which parameters lead to a change in behavior, e.g. B. would lead to an improvement in acceptance .
- Comparative cases - the analogy sources . Structurally similar - isomorphic - cases are identified that can be found either historically or currently in "other" thematic areas and economic sectors. In these “comparison cases”, the parameters that lead to certain cognitive processes and behavior are known or better known.
- Isomorphism inference . From the knowledge of the analogy sources, conclusions are drawn about the analogy goal.
The “art” is to find these stable analogies and to transfer the identifiable attitudes and behavior patterns to the problem of the current case, such as market acceptance of an innovative IT system . The connection between the source of the analogy and the target of the analogy is of course not causal , since they are “actually” independent of one another. However, with the help of many examples it can be observed that certain mechanisms, such as human behavior patterns, can be transferred from one case to another. The ability to perceive analogies and to transfer found isomorphism as "results" from the analogy source to the analogy target appears to be a central process in cognitive psychology , even an essential cultural achievement of the human being. This fact is discussed intensively in the recent popular scientific literature. Nevertheless, it can be stated that the formation of analogies - in terms of the theory of science - has no causal-methodical basis. The cause-and-effect principle takes a back seat to the means-end principle.
Synoptic modeling
Synoptic modeling - if you follow the encyclopaedic guidelines of Jürgen Mittelstraß - must meet the following criteria:
- Abstract: The model - as a limited representation of reality - must be “simpler” than the sum of the observations.
- Relevant: The model must “have something to do” with the research object under consideration.
- Predictive : The model must enable statements to be made about the research object, specifically and specifically about its future behavior.
- Communicable: The model must be able to be communicated in the scientific community ; it must not be “arbitrarily incomprehensible”.
In addition, there is the aspect of “defects” in the model, such as redundancies , tautologies, contradictions . It is not overlooked that synoptic modeling has a kind of "creative height".
Series of qualified expert interviews
To verify the evidence , in a third step, the conclusions are assessed by means of structured interviews with selected experts (“source of analogy”). Instead of a large number of “representative” respondents, a comparatively (also: very) small group is questioned in a qualified and structured manner. The selection of respondents is based on the so-called “expert presumption” and tries to capture the expertise to be covered as completely as possible.
It has established a certain rejection of empirical results if the empiricism to "small n" based, so a small number of interviews is the knowledge based. This is incomprehensible against the background of a small population of qualified persons who can be interviewed.
application
Case-based evidence has particularly proven itself in the investigation of acceptance and trust in products and processes. Here it is often possible to make prognostic statements in particular about the probable acceptance of new products, services, processes or the like and to obtain information from isomorphic cases on how the probability of acceptance can be increased.
The approaches take into account close cooperation with other academics - both scientists and practitioners - with regard to the following points:
- Identification and technical analysis of the isomorphic analogies and scenarios
- professional planning and psycho-socially “correct” implementation of the interviews
- Modeling based on the research and interview results obtained.
Examples
The examples given below relate to work carried out at the Information Management Institute at Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences.
Acceptance of cloud computing
Aim of the study on the acceptance of cloud computing by IMI and EuroCloud Deutschland_eco e. V. was to develop operationally feasible measures that are useful for reducing the lack of market acceptance of cloud computing. This lack of market acceptance, in turn, seemed to be due to a lack of technical operational security and data security, as well as legal issues.
As the comparison with other, isomorphic cases (acceptance of premium cars, banking products, DATEV eG) shows, some aspects, such as technical features or the purchase price, which are currently considered important in the discussion about cloud computing, do not qualify decisive for sales. Instead, it would be beneficial to further strengthen buyer confidence and benefit through essential factors such as
- Potential information transparency - customers have the opportunity to find out information about the product and the manufacturing process
- Educating customers about the maturity of the technology - this requires consistent training of customers about a product
- Establishing closed customer groups - a certain qualification is a prerequisite for being able to become a customer, so not every customer can become a customer
- Establishment of public guarantees and shifts in liability - as we know them from the area of savings banks and cooperatives
- Psychology of the "transfer" of sympathy and seriousness to the IT system
- Reduction of the discussion about system prices and technical details.
It is probably essential for the cloud computing industry to build up a "culture of trust" in order to win over the long term the acceptance of private as well as commercial customers. This undertaking will definitely take a certain amount of time and cannot be “forced”, but it can be positively influenced and directed in the right direction with the help of the measures identified in the project.
Elements of a life cycle assessment of the internet economy
The large Internet nodes and data centers have come under public criticism because of their high energy consumption. In cooperation with DE-CIX GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, the question of how energy consumption can be represented in public and political discussion was examined. As sources of analogy, other sectors that are also in a critical energy consumption discussion were examined: agriculture, rail operations, and the aluminum industry. It was also asked whether and to what extent the energy consumption of the data centers can be justified by other resource savings. As a first result it became clear that the utility value of the data centers is directly accessible through the omnipresence of their use (see "the train goes"); this direct benefit should also be taken up directly in a communication tactic. In the context of expert interviews, utility values generated in the area of personal, information and goods logistics were estimated. It was shown that the savings in resources in terms of travel, paper consumption, transport costs, etc., can be seen in a positive overall economic balance. This should be represented progressively in the political arena.
Communication tactics for the Weinheim Senior Citizens' Convention (WSC)
the passive and active acceptance of the student beating corps is at a comparatively low level in Germany. For the umbrella organization Weinheim Senior Citizens' Convention (WSC), the question arises as to how factors for increasing the acceptance of corps students can be designed and communicated. Since the recruiting of young talent can be seen as a central task, sources of analogy are also considered that also deal with this topic or have other comparable characteristics that can be transferred to the corps. Sources of analogy include the German Armed Forces (with basically dangerous job profiles - in some cases comparable to student fencing), the international student association Alpha Kappa Psi (international successful models), or Rotary International (also with lifelong membership). In summary, it was found that the problem of acceptance and young talent in student associations is not an isolated case, but exists in similar forms in other organizations and associations. The solutions for this are educational work and reorientation to establish a positive image. The sources of analogy that have been identified offer assistance in developing such a strategy. The research, analogies and expert interviews result in recommendations (“do's”) on the topics of social media, homepage / design, expressiveness of images, event calendars, housing offers, social identity / home and networking.
Acceptance of the recycling of IT end devices
The work on the acceptance of the recycling of IT end devices at IMI follows the basic idea of addressing the acceptance analysis for the recycling of IT end devices - using the example of used mobile phones - on the one hand by analyzing isomorphic scenarios and on the other hand by means of expert interviews. The recycling of beverage bottles and cans ( one-way deposit - “can deposit”), second-hand clothing, and the return and recycling of waste oil in the mineral oil industry were analyzed as isomorphic scenarios . In addition, the technical problems of disposing and reprocessing of cell phones were discussed. The results achieved are a framework for the design of the introductory process “Recycling systems for IT end devices”. The operational implementation and implementation was, however, withdrawn from the business base in mid-2012 due to a change in the regulation (the “municipal tender obligation ”).
Further examples
In the area of acceptance of electromobility , an analogy to the historical development of automobility is appropriate. As a result, the spread of the two-wheeled automobiles has been a forerunner of the four-wheeled automobiles. In this respect, the development of the market for electric bicycles and motorcycles should be given special attention by transport policy. In the debate about net neutrality , on the one hand, a network is called for in which the content of the communication is not taken into account, and in which the sender and recipient are not treated differently when they book the same service. This is to prevent measures which distort competition and which would encourage monopoly formation. In the event of a data congestion on the Internet, it is not possible to differentiate according to the content transported. On the other hand, an egalitarian network is required and different service classes are not allowed. This in turn means that there is no way of guaranteeing a quality of service for certain transmissions. A gain in knowledge from analogy conclusions from public road traffic could be expected here: the mechanisms, such as special lanes for buses or bicycles in cities, special rights for emergency vehicles in the rescue service, regulation, such as for oversized transports or columns, and also the falling or missing marginal costs the Internet flat rates each show interesting isomorphic analogies.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hubert Österle , Robert Winter, Walter Brenner (eds.): Design-oriented business informatics: A plea for rigor and relevance. book-on-demand, 2010.
- ↑ Meike Schumacher, Georg Rainer Hofmann : Case-based Evidence - Basics and Application. Springer Vieweg, 2016.
- ↑ G. Horton: Finding better ideas with the goal analogy. on: zephram.de
- ↑ Katharina Kalogerakis: Innovative analogies in the practice of product development. Gabler Verlag, 2010.
- ↑ Katharina Kalogerakis: Innovative analogies in the practice of product development. Gabler Verlag, 2010, p. 14 ff.
- ↑ Douglas Hofstadter, Emmanuel Sander: The analogy: The heart of thinking. Velcro-Cotta, 2014.
- ↑ Jürgen Mittelstraß (Ed.): Encyclopedia, Philosophy and Philosophy of Science. JB Metzler, 2004.
- ^ Klaus Bredl, Franz Lehner, Hans Gruber, Josef Strasser: Acquisition of expertise from consultants in management consulting. In: Georg Rainer Hofmann, Wolfgang Alm (Hrsg.): Management of employee expertise in IT consulting companies - Basics, methods and tools: Proceedings of the multi-conference business informatics 2002. Information Management Institute, Aschaffenburg University, 2002.
- ↑ Georg Rainer Hofmann, Meike Schumacher: Study on the acceptance of cloud computing. EuroCloud Germany_eco e. V., EuroCloud Austria, Cologne / Vienna 2012.
- ↑ Eurocloud Deutschland_eco eV Accessed on June 5, 2014.
- ↑ Georg Rainer Hofmann, Meike Schumacher: Assessment of the acceptance of IT systems using methods of case-based evidence and qualified expert interviews - a meta-topic of integration and connection. In: Integration and Konnexion, conference proceedings for AKWI 2013. Verlag News und Media, Berlin 2013.
- ^ Andrea Pollinger, Annika Halbig, Clara Camerer, Felix Falkenmayer: Elements of a life cycle assessment of the internet economy . University of Aschaffenburg 2017.
- ↑ Hans-Erhard Lessing: Automobility - Karl Drais and the incredible beginnings. Maxime publishers, 2003.