I am writing software based models that emulate traditional conceptual models used in business management. As soon as I have converted the conceptual model into computer code it is no longer a conceptual model as it exists in hard science terms. I can modify the models at any time. Hence they can be adapted to any situation, not only this but they calculate information at a much faster rate than a human can. The implications of this type of software means that business managers no longer have to learn any model but rather how to interact with a computer program that does all the work for them in the same way a calculator calculates numbers without the user having to. Where does this leave those who are still using and are developing conceptual models?
Hi
Models can always be developed and improved as well as the techniques. Your approach is a clear example of making calculation easy and improved.
I am a student in Interaction Design and maybe my opion is not the best one, but the others who are still using and developing the conceptual model, or the managers who are still learning new model have now multiple options to choose from. Some of them, used to the idea of learing a model and to the pattern of a model will not embrace the new concept of interacting with the computer, but others will try to change this. So maybe the problem is in explaining the concepts to the people who use old tehniques, showing that this a faster and easier way.
Thanks Alireza for noticing that one of my aims is to make understanding and using any model as simple as possible.
I think the problem arises when more 'established' academics attempt to understand the term 'conceptual' as to them this means 'in the mind', As soon as you tell them any conceptual model or framework can now be written as a computer program, it befuddles them, as they do not see computers as having minds (which of course they don't). The software is just emulating the decision processes defined by the 'conceptual model'. However as soon as you get the program translating the conceptual model said model is no longer conceptual by definition, it is now a practical model. Hence where does this leave the theory of conceptual models?
The coceptual model is also the one which tells the user how to use the program itself after it, by guiding them.
I completely agree with you Teisanu but from a philosophical perspective fantasist ideas could be interpreted as conceptual models. For instance at this point in time it is impossible to time travel and probably always will be. However this does not stop someone from creating a 'conceptual' model that would suggest that time travel could in fact be invented tomorrow. From this conceptual model it could be argued that time travel is possible and much money and time should be spent investigating the subject. As most physicist should state we do not have the accumulated knowledge, information, data or technology to make this a feasible research aim at this time. But again as you mention without the 'conceptual' model in the first place we cannot even begin to discuss how time travel could ever be possible (it is also a discussion that has to be had in relation to long distance space travel that is to say if time travel were possible there would be no point in building huge space crafts that take years to get anywhere or the resources it would take to research this).
I don't know, it seems to me that the conceptual model has become overused by some academics and scientist and the term itself possibly needs redefining.