Reviewed by Donald Logsdon Jr.
Online Instructor
Making decisions is something we all need to do every day, but it is a skill that needs to be learned. Decisions Based on Science provides a model for teaching students to use scientific, quantitative methods in their own decision making. The book is directed at students in high school and college, but would also be of value for any adult.
The book presents a four-step process: (1) What is the decision to be made? (2) What should happen following this decision? (3) What do we know that can help us make this decision? (4) What is the decision? A key tool in this process is the decision chart, which lists goals we are trying to achieve down the left side and options that can be taken to achieve the goal across the top of the chart. Students compare outcomes--the result of interactions between goals and options--to make a decision.
The book is divided into three parts: background and curriculum, 10 guided activities, and 14 independent activities that are ready for use. Students assess risks and make decisions in areas such as smoking, diet, marine resources, old-growth forests, and growth hormones. For each exercise there is a teacher section describing how to get students started on the exercise and a copyable student section. The book also includes four appendices with curriculum matrices, a summary of the decision-making process, a blank decision chart, and assessment rubrics. There is also a resource section including books, articles, periodicals, and websites.
The authors’ approach is well suited to teach students how to use the decision chart and the decision making process to make effective decisions. As the authors state in the introduction: “Nothing is more important than educating the next generation of decision makers.” With this complete supplement, these skills can be infused into any curriculum.
Review posted on 1/22/2001
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