Theme 4: Quantitative research

1. Which quantitative method or methods are used in the paper? Which are the benefits and limitations of using these methods?

I chose the paper “The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites” from the journal “Computer-Mediated Communication”, with impact factor (1.778). In this paper the quantitative method used is a statistical online survey, where 286 participants completed the survey. The survey was cross-sectional which means that it was a one-time survey with closed-ended questions of the type bounded continuous (a continues scale). Benefits of surveys are that the researcher doesn’t need to spend time meeting participants and book physical meetings. The participants can perform the survey at a suitable time in their schedule. Another benefit is that it’s capable of collecting data from a large number of respondents. Limitations may be the reliability of the collected data. The respondents may not feel encouraged to provide accurate and honest answers, or not feel comfortable providing answers that present themselves in an unfavorable manor (Wyze, 2012).

2. What did you learn about quantitative methods from reading the paper?

Unfortunately this paper didn’t provide any new information concerning the quantitative method survey. But what I generally experienced myself this week when creating a survey in another course, when performing pilot tests. Was that when formulating open-ended questions, there is of great importance how you formulate the questions to get the participants to explain their answers to avoid short formulated answers.

3. Which are the main methodological problems of the study? How could the use of the quantitative method or methods have been improved?

I wouldn’t say there is a main problem with this method but there are some areas that could be improved concerning the contact with the participants. As described in question 1, the respondents may not feel encouraged to provide accurate and honest answers, or not feel comfortable providing answers that present themselves in an unfavorable manor (Wyze, 2012). This problem may occur independent of physical or non-physical contact.

When answering the survey environmental disturbing factors and mood vary between the participants. I believe that may have an effect on the results compared to if the survey was completed in the same environmental setting for everyone. That might give a bit more accurate result, but would probably take more time and money than it’s worth.

Physical Activity, Stress, and Self-Reported upper Respiratory Tract Infection

The Key points of the text are to investigate if incidence of “Upper respiratory tract infection” (URTI) among a group of people (1509 participants aged 20-60 years) has relationship to physical activity and perceived stress. In order to suggest potential strategies to reduce susceptibility of URTI. In the beginning of the paper related works to the study are presented to establish a fundamental ground to their hypothesis. For method, Web questionnaire was used with 5 follow up questionnaires every third week for 4 month, to assemble data of stress level and frequency of URTI during the test period. The results confirmed that high physical activity decreased the risk of URTI. They also made an interesting discovery that highly stressed people benefited more of physical activity, especially men.

1. Which are the benefits and limitations of using quantitative methods?

Through collection of data from quantitative methods patterns can be plotted to prove or disprove hypothesis. These patterns can at the same time discover new relations that couldn’t be foreseen before the data assembly. Limitations in this particular method used in the texted could be the response of the participants. In this particular investigation there was a high percentage that followed through with the test considering the time and amount of web surveys to answer. There can also be a problem to reach participants as described in the beginning of the text, and to reach as many needed.

2.    Which are the benefits and limitations of using qualitative methods?

With a qualitative method there is possible to expand responses and open up new topic areas through discussion and recording. Which give room to analyze data deeper.

A qualitative study often limit the number of participants because the amount of time it takes for the collected data to be analyzed. There is also hard to generalize or plot patterns with few participants.

References

(Susan E. Wyse 2012)

http://www.snapsurveys.com/blog/advantages-disadvantages-surveys/

Reflection of Theme 3: Research and Theory

From last weeks Theme I picked the research paper “Smart Grid Technologies: Communication Technologies and Standards”. From the journal, “Journal IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics” with impact factor 3.38. Which contained propositions about different techniques concerning Smart grid, and standards. Comparing different types of communications, benefits and limitations. To sum up an overview of general effects described in the paper through a transition to smart grid. It would decrease energy storage problems, the capacity limitations of electricity generation, switches causing slow response times, resilience problems and emission of fossil fuels. It would also oppress lack of situational awareness through two-way communication.

Limiting factors in the deployment process are time of deployment, operational costs, the availability of the technology and rural/urban or indoor/outdoor environment. The technology choice that fits one environment may not be suitable for the other. Smart grid systems also lack a widely accepted standard, which prevents integration of advanced applications, smart meters, smart devices and renewable energy sources and interoperability between them.

I would consider the research paper to be a theory of design and action, it explains “how to do”. As described above this research paper shows different possibilities of conduct and form of techniques for constructing an artifact (smart grid). The main theories provide a contemporary look at the current state of the art in smart grid communications. Weighing pros and cons, and discussing research issues in this field. Also balances these different communication solutions and world standards against each other. I believe this kind of theory “Design and Action” is a great exploratory theory for others to pick up and develop from any state of the progress, and find new solutions. Viable theories as “Prediction”, “Explanation and Prediction” and “Design and Action” I believe contributes more to development through trial and error. I’m currently taking the course Evaluation methods in HCI, where we evaluate technical systems. Before performing our evaluation we first plan and discuss our evaluation method, we then perform a pilot test for our method to determine if it’s suitable. Through the pilot there always occurs new discoveries about how to improve the performance, which not was obvious during the discussion.

Theme 3: Research and theory

I have chosen the journal “Journal IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics” with impact factor 3.38. The journal focuses on knowledge based factory automation to enhance industrial fabrication and manufacturing processes. It comprises a collection of techniques that use: information analysis, distribution to achieve higher efficiency, effectiveness, manipulation and reliability. The scope of the transaction includes defining, reporting, forum for discourse, latest developments in intelligent and computer control systems, robotics, factory communications and automation, flexible manufacturing, vision systems and data acquisition and signal processing.

The research paper I have chosen is “Smart Grid Technologies: Communication Technologies and Standards”. The paper addresses critical issues on smart grid technologies concerning ICT issues and opportunities. Where the objective is to provide a contemporary look at the current state of the art in smart grid communications and to discuss still open research issues in this field. It balances different communication solutions and standards against each other.

In the statement of problem, motivation of solution states that smart grid infrastructure will improve efficiency, reliability and security. The different communication technologies are supported either wired or wireless. But in the stated techniques there is flaws/disadvantages brought up concerning specifically about efficiency, reliability and security. I don’t feel the need for improvement of these subjects through smart grid is enough motivated in consideration to these flaws. Especially since some suggestions require a whole new infrastructure.

1.        Briefly explain to a first year student what theory is, and what theory is not.

There are many different perspectives of theory, thou all theories can be described as abstract entities that aims to describe and explain. Theories want to enhance understanding of the world, it can for example be used to predict the future or be used as basis to reasonable action and intervention.

Theory is not collection of facts, or knowledge of an individual fact or event, as theory. “Data are not theory” (Sutton and Staw 1995, p. 374) which include references, lists of variables or constructs, diagrams and hypotheses.

2.         Describe the major theory or theories that are used in your selected paper. Which theory type (see Table 2 in Gregor) can the theory or theories be characterized as?

I would consider the research paper to be a theory of design and action, it explains “how to do”. It shows different possibilities of conduct and form of techniques for constructing an artifact (smart grid). The main theories provide a contemporary look at the current state of the art in smart grid communications. Weighing pros and cons, discussing research issues in this field. And balances these different communication solutions and world standards against each other.

3.         Which are the benefits and limitations of using the selected theory or theories?

The benefits of the design and action theory are that it is possible to conduct the artifact in question with given methods, techniques, principle of form and functions. Especially as utility open for public development. Limitations are that user requirements for interpretation of the theory include a need to translate expert knowledge into actionable knowledge for non-experts (Table 8) Gregor, S. (2006).

Reference

Journal: Journal IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics

ISSN: 1551-3203

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.focus.lib.kth.se/xpl/aboutJournal.jsp?punumber=9424

Research paper: Smart Grid Technologies: Communication Technologies and Standards

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.focus.lib.kth.se/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?arnumber=6011696

Gregor, S. (2006) MIS Quarterly, 30(3)

http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~petterog/Kurs/INF5220/NatureofTheoryMISQ.pdf

Sutton, R. I. & Staw, B. M. (1995). What Theory is Not. Administrative Science Quarterly, 40(3), 371-384.

Reflection of Theme 2

“Enlightenment of Mass deception” is so far the most interesting chapter in this course. I felt illuminated about this matter (mass deception of culture industry) when reading this chapter. I have had a lot of reflections during the past week about Swedish mass media. Interpreted relations between mass media and their audience, been trying to figure out what would be the best way of stopping mass deception of culture industry. After reading other student blogs from Theme 2, I also found a particular interesting thought from Alexandros question 6. Where he points out the time span from when the book was actual written (1944). This made me realize that I have applied Adorno and Horkheimer’s arguments/thoughts without considering the expanded media forms since. Internet is a great example of new media platform that have expanded the limit of free thoughts. Internet is making a huge difference concerning mass deception in my opinion. It may also be used for mass deception (Facebook etc), but people can interact with each other and share thoughts in ways that’s not possible through TV/Radio/Newspapers. Everyone can be heard on Internet.

It would be interesting to read a text about today’s culture industry in contrast to this old text and compare differences. My point is that with further “newer” media platforms, the settings for culture industry should differ from 1944. I assume that Internet have had a positive effect to prevent mass deception. Thoughts can be shared in big and small Internet communities with possibility of interaction among the audience. But the question still remains if Internet has affected “new media” from 1944 (TV, Radio) to become media of less mass deception since 1944. Please share your thought concerning this question. What is your opinion of today’s mass deception in culture industry compared to 1944, more or less? Internets significance?

Theme 2: Critical media studies

1. What is Enlightenment?

Enlightenment can be described as a way of trying to free thought from a reliance on mysterious rumors and powers. Cognitive techniques increased with purpose to understand and thus master nature as a result. It led to computation and the pursuit of utility, which became extended and universalized to produce a universal science and outlook. Enlightenment turned the characterization of god to the characterization of men, what once belonged to myth now features a theme of science.

2. What is the meaning and function of “myth” in Adorno and Horkheimer’s argument?

Myth is a form of deception that absorbs factuality, takes empirical repetitions and lends some symbolic significance to them. And pretend that the regular repetitions are pre-determined.

3. What are the “old” and “new” media that are discussed in the Dialectic of Enlightenment?

The “old” and “new” media is described with the transition to new mediums of media, through TV and radio. Which had a big impact on society, a cultural change where the new media reached a bigger audience. While the old media had smaller audience, theatre and art for example.

4. What is meant by “culture industry”?

The culture industry is intended to refer to the commercial marketing of culture, which by Horkheimer and Adorno perception cheats its consumers of what it perpetually promises. Horkheimer and Adorno deliberately chose the term "Culture Industry", instead of "mass culture" or "mass media”.

5. What is the relationship between mass media and “mass deception”, according to Adorno and Horkheimer?

Please identify one or two concepts/terms that you find particularly interesting. Motivate your choice.

Adorno and Horkheimer proposed that popular culture could be compared to a factory producing standardized cultural goods as films, TV-programs, magazines etc. Which is used to manipulate mass society into passivity. Consumption through mass media of easy pleasures of popular culture renders people docile and content. This might create a cultivation of false psychological needs (“mass deception”) that can only be satisfied by products of capitalism, which can be seen as a danger with culture industry. They perceived that mass-produced culture is a threat to high culture and creativity. For example, the people who run the culture industry, people in strategic locations as producers of films or TV programs play a key role. They decide what counts as culture and absorb creativity in their process of creating standardized products.

6. Please identify one or two concepts/terms that you find particularly interesting. Motivate your choice.

The chapter “Enlightenment of mass deception” caught my attention. The past week I have interpreted mass deception in mass media everywhere, maybe a little too much. I generally don’t watch TV, but when I try to do, there are always shows some what related to stupidity, lyxfällan, ullared, montazami, the list can be made long. I then try to change to American shows but then it’s the same thing. It had me thinking, are these actual public needs? and what can be done to prevent mass deception in culture industry?