Monday, June 26

Hey class, I know we sped through a lot today, but the good news is no new material before the midterm. Today, the major topics were,

1) Spurious relationships
2) Interpreting correlations
3) Null vs. Alternative hypothesis
4) t- tests
5) significant levels and testing
6) Type I and Type II errors

*Important note*
I forgot to mention today, but Wednesday is going to be our review before the exam. I have an assignment for you. For class, type out 3 or 4 multiple choice questions (with answer) that you think could be on the exam. If you write a good one, you may just see it again next week. In addition, the review will only be as good as you make it. I will answer any questions or go over any material you ask, but you have to ask. I will not prepare any formal review. Finally, write me an email ASAP about what day off you want next week.

Question for thought. Today I stressed how a correlation does not show causality. What about a t-test? Explain your reasoning.

June 21

Nice class assignment gang. I especially liked how you began to argue through the "Grey" area, noticing how certain variables can be measured on multiple levels depending upon the researcher. The main topics covered in class were,
1) Classifications of variables/ statistics (parametric, inferential, continuous vs. nonparametric, descriptive, categorical)
2) Frequency distribution
3) Measures of central tendency
4) Graphic distribution of data
5) Standard deviation & Variance
6) The normal curve (central limit theorem)
7) CORRELATION

In class, I made the comment that in order to conduct a correlation, we need two continuous variables. Think through this idea, and explain in your own words why this must be so.

Monday, June 19

Good examples in class today with the different levels of measurement & way to go Matt with the bullseye reliability/validity example. To review, the key topics of the day were:
1.) Levels of measurement
2.) Random factors and Systematic factors make up measurement
3.) Types of Error
4.) Different ways to check reliability
5.) Different types of validity

Question for thought- In class, when we discussed the test- retest method for reliability, I mentioned how it is not used very often. Think of a situation with a questionnaire when you think this method would be practical.

Wednesday, June 14

Great job in class today. I really like how you interacted in the break-out session and creatively worked out the problems with the seven studies. To recap, the main points in lecture were;
1.) 4 purposes of science
2.) 6 steps in the scientific model
3.) Different types of questions we use in research

For discussion, I would like you to think about theory in research. Why is it important? It would be much easier to measure and relate two variables and not spend so much time having to remember hundreds of theories, and after all, theories are never proven and often times found later to be incorrect. So why bother?

Monday, June 11

Hello class. Good work today, the examples you gave were right on and I'm looking forward to the semester. To refresh, the three major topics covered in lecture today were;
1) What communication scholars have in common
2) Types of questions we ask
3) Different epistemology


Following is a question that I would like you to comment on. Please respond by posting a comment.

We discussed today that science should be free of bias or objective. Do you think this can ever be achieved? Why or why not?

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