Research Methods Classmates:
Greetings. I am headed to San Antonio to the annual meeting of the Human
Factors and Ergonomics Society today. As you know, continuing the "fair and
balanced" approach to the quant/qual issue, Dr. David Gracy will meet with
you this Wednesday to talk about methods of historical research. Dr. Gracy
has done similarly in past Research Methods classes, and it is always a
well-received presentation, and an excellent complement to what I might try
to teach you!
A few other points:
- One student (thanks Sam) sends this link to some interesting thoughts on
negative findings. I don't THINK anyone in this discussion points out
cogently (as I did!) that one needs to worry about perhaps having run a poor
study.
http://scienceblogs.com/neurotopia/2009/09/whats_wrong_with_negative_data.p
hp?utm_source=ScienceBlogs+Weekly+Recap&utm_campaign=a7628ec786Recap_9_24_to_9_30_2009&utm_medium=email
- Another student (thanks Geoff) sends this post alluding to why we read the
methods section. Note, neither his nor my sharing of this should be
considered to imply necessarily our condoning the gassing of test
participants, regardless of what species they may be.
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/13/two-good-reasons-to.html
- To answer "publicly" some questions people have asked about the methods
section project:
-- No, it needn't be an information studies topic -- my goal is that you get
practice at, and demonstrate your facility with, designing a well-controlled
experiment.
-- No, do NOT do any literature review.
-- No, don't make up any data to populate a results section.
Have a good week. See you on the 28th.
Randolph.