How to Measure Group Selection in Real-world Populations

Multilevel selection and the evolution of cooperation are fundamental to the formation of higher-level organisation and the evolution of biocomplexity, but such notions are controversial and poorly understood in natural populations. The theoretic principles of group selection are well developed in idealised models where a population is neatly divided into multiple semi-isolated sub-populations. But since such models can be explained by individual selection given the localised frequency-dependent effects involved, some argue that the group selection concepts offered are, even in the idealised case, redundant and that in natural conditions where groups are not well-defined that a group selection framework is entirely inapplicable. This does not necessarily mean, however, that a natural population is not subject to some interesting localised frequency-dependent effects – but how could we formally quantify this under realistic conditions? Here we focus on the presence of a Simpson’s Paradox where, although the local proportion of cooperators decreases at all locations, the global proportion of cooperators increases. We illustrate this principle in a simple individual-based model of bacterial biofilm growth and discuss various complicating factors in moving from theory to practice of measuring group selection

A Personal Perspective on a Conceptual Foundation for Information Systems

In this paper, I propose a conceptual foundation for information systems based on three propositions: P1: Information systems improve an entity’s ability to attain its goals P2: Information systems improve the ability of entities to cooperate on shared goals P3: Information systems transform entities in intended and unintended ways. I apply an evolutionary-historical analysis, a variation of historical analysis, to the emergence of humans’ major information processing capabilities to trace the development of information systems to establish the propositions. I identify some research questions directly arising from the three propositions and advance a case that these propositions are potentially a sufficient conceptual foundation for IS research

The Essential Skills of Data Modeling

The critical data modeling issue is learning to think like a data modeler. The representation method is a less important concern, because all dialects of these methods capture the same core data. For data modeling teachers, there are two issues. First, what representation method enables quick sketching of models on a board? Second, what method should students use to capture the fine detail for their assignments? Other issues related to teaching data modeling are also discussed, including the argument for intertwining the teaching of data modeling and SQL

An Eco-socio-technical Rethinking of Information Systems Conferences

This article applies an eco-socio-technical lens to AIS conferences. It calls for a profound rethink of the role of conferences and IS scholarship. The intent is to change AIS scholarship to meet current societal needs, such as reducing carbon emissions and generating applicable knowledge

Beyond being Systematic in Literature Reviews in IS

The dual goals of efficiency and effectiveness when writing a literature review are considered. Effectiveness is concerned with producing a synthesis of the published knowledge. A systematic approach to reviewing is at best a partial approach to efficiency because the foundations of the academic publishing system are rigidly locked into old technology. An outline for redesigning academic publishing to jump literature reviewing efficiency to a new level and enhance the productivity of many other aspects of scholarship is proposed

Africa’s Contributions to Information Systems

Africans created the world’s first major information systems, gesturing and language. Now days, Africa is once again showing leadership in the area of frugal IS