SI 755 / COMM 840.003 -- Fall 2015
Prof. Sandvig, University of Michigan
http://755.niftyc.org/
Weekly Questions
Please post answers to our class discussion forum on Canvas. Answers should be about 250 words. (You must post your answer before you can see other answers.) They are not graded, but are instead intended to prepare everyone for in-class discussion.
(Listed by week number.)
- No question the first week.
- No class the second week, therefore no question.
- What is the role of method?
What is the role of method in research? Draw from one (or more) of the assigned readings when discussing this question. - Sit on a dissertation committee.
Lesy's method in Wisconsin Death Trip produces results that are quite different from the other things we call "history books" or "PhD theses in history." If you were on a PhD dissertation committee and this was submitted to you, how would you respond to this work? This is meant to mean: How would you respond to Lesy's argument? But also, How would you respond to his method? - You Interventionist!
Michaels's work has been described as "interventionist." This could have either a positive or negative connotation depending on the commentator. Please use one or more details about Michaels's approach to either attack or defend "intervention" and relate it to an issue of research practice, design, or method. Please avoid taking an easy moral stance and try grappling with a harder one. (In other words, try to avoid taking a position on intervention that everyone would already agree with.) - Auditing Algorithms.
There is a current movement in computing to adapt the social science method of the "audit study" or the "correspondence study" to investigate algorithmic systems that are "black boxes" (search engines, social media feeds, ad placement rules). What is an important methodological challenge faced by this effort? (Or, if you like, more than one challenge.) - Design your own measure.
A measure is a value computed as a gauge or quantification of something else. Drawing inspiration from Webb et al., invent a creative new unobtrusive measure that can be used in social research. Briefly discuss the trade-offs of your measure using materials from Webb book and, optionally, readings from earlier weeks of the course. Note 1: Please don't regurgitate an example from the book. Note 2: To help the reader understand your measure, it may help to specify a question you are trying to answer, an instrument that will be required, another measure that your measure could be associated with, or other details of a research design -- otherwise your measure may seem pointless and there will be no way for you to discuss its trade-offs. - Design your own statistic.
For the purpose of this question, a statistic is the combination or transformation of one or more measures (see last week's question) so as to make them more useful. Create your own applied statistic that is useful for a research problem of your choice. Briefly discuss the properties of your statistic and its pros and cons, referencing at least one example from a class reading (readings from prior weeks are OK). Please name your statistic after yourself and gratuitously use a Greek letter to represent it (as is traditional). Tip: The point of this question is not meant to be a demonstration of your math skills, but your creativity (after Webb et al.). - Strange Research Maps
Briefly propose a project that would either (1) use a map to visualize something that is not usually represented spatially (see Dodge or "Strange Maps"). Or, (2) describe how you would map something spatial that is not usually mapped (see Denis Wood and the Jack-o-Lantern Map of Boyle Heights). Note that you might have to state a one-sentence research problem in order for your proposed map to make any sense. - Seminar Paper Topic.
By this point in the semester, you should have had one instructor meeting about your seminar paper and you may have received a to-do item or two. It's time to propose, introduce, or write an prospective abstract for your seminar paper topic. At the end, please list (1) the assigned course readings you will be building on, and (2) what literature you will search in order to find additional, outside readings. If your ideas has evolved, it is fine to revise your topic at any time without penalty. - Design a Nonhuman Investigation.
Design an investigation into the nonhuman that employs one of the methods described or showcased in the readings for this week (or builds upon / transforms it). For example: robot sociology, metaphorism, philosophical carpentry, multispecies ethnography, the salon, or prosopopoeia. Be sure to reference the reading. Note that you might have to state a one-sentence research problem in order for your proposed design to make any sense. - Thanksgiving Break -- no question.
- What is the ideal relationship between researchers and their tools?
Rogers and Gilbert/Karahalios take different perspectives on the ideal relationship between a researcher and their tools (digital platforms). Referencing their perspectives, what is your advice to other graduate students interested in employing new digital tools? You may also use other examples from the rest of the course. - Teaching Method
A graduate degree qualifies you to teach at the college level. One of the hardest topics to teach to undergraduates is research methods. Please review the work we have done this semester and select an important concept related to methods that you learned in this course, then propose a way that you might teach this material to undergraduates. Your proposal could take the form of a single day's lesson plan, a (brief) lecture outline, a small group in-class exercise, a homework assignment / problem set / or a writing assignment, or something else. NOTE: If your chosen product is very brief (such as an essay question that is one sentence long), please also write about your thought process in designing it so that this weekly question is a similar length to the others.) ADVICE: Think small. Please do not design an entire syllabus -- focus instead on teaching one idea well.
