Description of the Exam
Exam #4 will contain two sections of short-answer questions. In the first section students will be asked to answer three required questions worth 10 points each. In the second section students will be asked to answer two of four questions worth 10 points each.
Reading Assignments
Required
Class Notes.
Diffusion of Innovations: Part 1
Diffusion of Innovations: Part 2
Recommended
Familiarity with consumer issues regarding the Sampler Technologies.
Discussion Questions
- Be prepared to discuss the meaning of the "diffusion effect." What is the sociological meaning of this effect? How does it relate to the concept of normative expectations? Why is this effect important for influencing the adoption of innovations? [See: Diffusion of Innovations, Part 1.]
- Be prepared to discuss the methods of identifying opinion leaders. Know an advantage and disadvantage of each approach. [See: Diffusion of Innovations, Part 1.]
- Rogers discusses strategies for reducing inequalities that occur from the adoption of new technologies and presents three scenarios for reducing gaps between "ups" and "downs" that sometimes are increased as the result of innovation adoption. Be prepared to discuss each of these scenarios and Rogers' proposed solutions to them. [See: Diffusion of Innovations, Part 2.]
- Be prepared to discuss the key features of each stage of the innovation-decision process. Know the diffusion strategy that is most appropriate for each of the first three stages. [See: Diffusion of Innovations, Part 1.]
- Be prepared to discuss: re-invention , the "strength-of-weak-ties" , and innovation characteristics. [See: Diffusion of Innovations, Part 1.]
- Be prepared to discuss the contributions and criticisms of the diffusion of innovations model. [See: Diffusion of Innovations, Part 2.]
Help Session
The help session for this exam will be Thursday, May 3rd, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We will meet on the first floor of East Hall and find an open classroom to hold the help session.
Dr. Sapp's Office Hours are MWF, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or by appointment. Students are invited to come to the office at any time to discuss the class materials.
