Value of Information and Decision Pathways: Concepts and Case Studies

Frontiers in Environmental Science

Pierre D. Glynn¹  Jennifer F. Helgeson²  Crista L. Straub³  Carl D. Shapiro⁴  Charles R. Rhodes⁴  Scott J. Chiavacci⁴ 

[1] Arizona State University, Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, Washington DC, United States;Engineering Laboratory, Applied Economics Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States;National Land Imaging Program and Social and Economic Analysis Branch, Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO, United States;Science and Decisions Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, United States;

关键词: value of information;    biases;    decision science;    geospatial information;    natural resources;    environmental issues;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fenvs.2022.805214

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Information used in decision making arises from the structuring of observations and data. The collection, dissemination, and use of information has monetary and non-monetary costs (e.g., competition for attention) and necessitates trade-offs. Understanding the benefits of having information (i.e., the value of information, VOI), including resulting societal outcomes, is useful to information producers/funders and decision makers. Using theory, use cases, and hypotheticals, we describe how information (e.g., geospatial information) is valued and incorporated in decisions and actions related to managing natural resources, environments, and the impacts of natural and anthropogenic hazards. We discuss the nature of information and how it relates to models (conceptual, mental, scientific), beliefs, knowledge, and economic analyses. VOI approaches and behavioral factors that potentially affect information use and value are summarized. Framing of information and VOI through data to decision pathways (DDPs) at first simplifies understanding, then illustrates the benefits of information, and the human and societal challenges encountered in valuing and using it. We present approaches to overcome these challenges. Our transdisciplinary analysis concludes with a summary of critical issues affecting DDPs and VOI, and suggestions for improving both economic analyses and the actionability and use of information.

【 授权许可】

Unknown