CMNS 260 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Teleology, Khawarij, Reductionism
8 May 2018
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1
Classification of Theories to Understand Different Approaches to Research
• Paradigms and many typologies classify research theories and methodologies (like quantitative
vs. qualitative)
o These often refer to:
▪ Direction of reasoning (inductive, deductive)
▪ Level of reality or analysis (micro, meso, macro)
▪ Forms of explanation
▪ Theoretical frameworks
▪ Degree of abstraction
Theory and empirical research
• Deduction: a form of reasoning that moves from the general principles to a specific case. (P.24)
o Testing theories through empirical observation
• Induction: a form of reasoning that moves from specific cases to the general case. (P.23)
o Using empirical observation to develop theories
Empirical research as part of methodology
• Empirical: the criterion requiring sensory experience as evidence. (P.4)
• Methodology: a set of practices and techniques used to collect, process, and interpret
information aimed at enhancing our understanding of reality.
• Causal reasoning: the recognition that future circumstances are rooted in or conditioned by
present ones. (P.4)
Propositions, Theory, Assumptions
• Assumptions: accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.
• Propositions: statements (ideas) expressing the relationship between concepts. (P.8)
• Theory: a set of interrelated propositions providing a logical explanation of empirical regularities.
(P.10)
Purpose of Research
• Exploratory
o When not much is known about topic
o Surprises (e.g. Serendipity effect)
o Acquire familiarity with concerns and develop a picture
o Explore feasibility of additional research
o Develop questions
• Descriptive
o Focuses on who, what, and how
o Background information, to stimulate new ways of thinking, to classify types, etc.
• Explanatory
o To test theories, predictions, etc.
o Idea of advancing knowledge
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2
• Pure research (basic, fundamental): investigations driven by curiosity and satisfied by
understanding something previously unknown. (P.26)
• Applied research: investigations directed toward insights that allow us to live more efficiently or
effectively. (P.26)
Explanation vs. Description
• Use of terms varies in different paradigms (but many quantitative methodologists use it to
describe the process of establishing causality)
• A causal explanation is a statement in social theory about why events occur that is expressed in
terms of causes and effects. They correspond to associations in the empirical world. (P.32)
o A causal explanation requires temporal order, association, and that you eliminate
plausible alternatives.
o Causal explanation studies relationships eteen ariales
Intended Use of Research
• Basic or Fundamental
o Concerns of scholarly community
o Inner logic and relation to theoretical issues in field
• Applied
o Commissioned/judged/used often by people outside the field of communication
o Goal of practical applications
o Usefulness of results
Types of Applied Research
• Action Research
• Social Impact Assessment (study how something might have an impact)
• Needs Assessment (study of what is needed)
• Evaluation Research
o Formative (built in methods for measuring success of failure)
o Summative (final outcomes used to measure success or failure)
• Cost-benefit Analysis
Time Dimension in Research Design
• Cross-sectional (one time observation)
• Longitudinal (at least two observations)
o Panel (exactly the same individuals)
o Time series (e.g. same place or activity like audiences)
o Cohort analysis (e.g. experience of same event, such as date of birth, date of graduation,
date of first child, etc.)
o Trend study (e.g. use of media)
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