Unit 8: Theory…and Research…and Methods (oh my!)
33 On being skeptical [about concepts and variables]
DocMC only again…
Learning Objectives
Skills for healthy skepticism.
On being skeptical [about concepts and variables]
Alright, here is the very last thing I have for you in this Unit[1]:
Do you know what’s coming?
It’s Should You Believe It time! I need some kind of image or graphic for this, don’t you think? Except I’ll need someone else to make it because those are not my superpower. Maybe they’re yours? If so – I’d love to see what you come up with!
This chapter is about knowing what you’re measuring and measuring it that way, so yes, conceptualization and operationalization and variables. But this framing is more about knowing what the researcher measured, what it means, and if it passes muster[2]. In the lecture video you’ll see more examples of variables from articles published in a top communication journal. You’ll see the theory (UTAUT[3]) that relates to the other set of research questions you saw in the qual/quant chapter. And you’ll see me try to get you to develop HEALTHY internal and external skepticism (also related to a discussion between Tim and I near the end of your second lateral/vertical video lecture). And we haven’t even gotten to MEASUREMENT measurement! LOOK AT ALL THESE USEFUL SKILLS YOU ARE LEARNING! Honestly, why so many of ya’ll come in to methods planning to hate it, I’ll never know. Have we reached an impasse yet? Could you give methods a chance?
I like to tell myself that PEW has read some of my research, and that is why they published this:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/03/why-survey-estimates-of-the-number-of-americans-online-dont-always-agree/
When the info in question really matters…be a (healthy) necessary
Healthy internal skepticism involves:
- •Looking at how the primary research author(s) explicated the variable(s) they studied.
- •Looking at how they measured these variables.
- Thinking critically about the connection between the two (using all the amazing knowledge you have gleaned from this course so far.
Healthy external skepticism involves:
- •Looking at how the information you’re consuming (i.e., news article) presents the main variables it’s trying to sell you a story about.
- Going back to the primary research article like you do for you deconstruction project in this class!
- •Looking at how the primary research article’s author(s) explicated and measured these variables.
- •Think critically
- Then put it through the rest of our Should You Believe It tasks![4]
Got ideas for questions to include on the exam?
Click this link to add them!
VIII. Unit 8: Theory…and Research…and Methods (oh my!)
28. Logical Systems: Induction and Deduction
29. Variables; Operational and Conceptual Definitions
30. Variable oh variable! Wherefore art thou o’ variable?
31. On being skeptical [about concepts and variables]
- this was a fun one, don't you think? I think we really outdid ourselves. And luckily you'll probably forget that you don't agree by the next time you see me, so I can continue to believe that we've outdone ourselves. ↵
- I had to look this up to make sure it was spelled how I thought it was spelled. (it was). https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pass--muster ↵
- What? Tim the research librarian said in our lateral/vertical video lecture that it was fine to use wikipedia for general knowing. I'm going with it. ↵
- see what I'm saying? We need an image. We could trademark it. For what purpose I do not know but it seems like a fun idea, right? Well. My idea of fun anyway. ↵