17703 Paradigm and Communication Arts Research
Module 5 Research Results and Discussion
School of Communication Arts, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
17703 Paradigm and Communication Arts Research
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Module 5 Research Results and Discussion l Study Guide
Module 5 Research Results and Discussion Prof. Jude William Genilo Contents Outline: Lesson 5.1: Understanding Communication Research Paradigms Issues to be discussed: Topic 5.1.1 Communication Research Paradigms: Positivist, Interpretative, and Critical Topic 5.1.2 Communication Research Philosophical Domains Lesson 5.2: Results and Discussion using Communication Research Paradigms Issues to be discussed: Topic 5.2.1 Results and Discussion using Positivist Paradigm Topic 5.2.2 Results and Discussion using Interpretive and Critical Paradigms Objectives: After being introduced to Module 5: Research Results and Discussion, students will be able to: 1. Understand the various paradigms that can be utilized for communication and/or social science research; 2. Place themselves in terms of the paradigm they believe in (whether positivist, interpretive, critical, or whether a combination of communication research paradigms); 3. Acquire a better handle in writing the results and discussion section of communication research projects.
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17703 Paradigm and Communication Arts Research
Main Concept This Module intends to introduce learners to communication research paradigms, philosophical domains, results and discussions using the positivist paradigm, interpretative and critical paradigms.
Learning Activity Through key readings, video materials, and interactive online tasks, students will learn about paradigms that can be utilized in communication and social science research.
Learning Resources 1) E-Book / Synthesis content of Module 1 (accessible in Moodle e-Learning system). 2) Six Modules uploaded on STOU e-Learning Platform. 3) Key readings, online videos, STOU e-Library international database of scholarly works, infographics, reports, among others.
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Module 5 Research Results and Discussion l Study Guide
Self Pre-Test Module 5: Research Results and Discussion Objectives: To assess the prior knowledge of the student about Module 5 Suggestions: Read the questions, then answer them in the provided space within 30 minutes. 1. Explain the difference between positivist, interpretative, and critical paradigms in research. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
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17703 Paradigm and Communication Arts Research
Lesson 5.1 Understanding Communication Research Paradigms Issues to be discussed:
Topic 5.1.1 Communication Research Paradigms: Positivist, Interpretative, and Critical Topic 5.1.2 Communication Research Philosophical Domains
Objectives of Lesson 5.1: Understanding Communication Research Paradigms After students study Lesson 5.1, they will be able to: 1. Understand the various paradigms that can be utilized for communication and/or social science research; 2. Place themselves in terms of the paradigm they believe in (whether positivist, interpretive or critical or whether a combination of communication research paradigms);
Main concepts of Lesson 5.1: Understanding Communication Research Paradigms 1. Foundational theoretical positions in positivist, interpretative, and critical paradigms. 2. Communication philosophical domains (Empirical, Foundational, Reflexive and Analytical). Topic 5.1.1 Communication Research Paradigms: Positivist, Interpretive and Critical 1) Positivist paradigm The positivist perspective believes that truth exists. It is somewhere out there to be discovered. Following this perspective, researchers search for the answer to a question under study. Somewhere out there, it can be discovered. How can this be discovered? For those who believe in this perspective, truth is ascertained through careful reflective thought.
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Module 5 Research Results and Discussion l Study Guide
2) Interpretative paradigm In the interpretive paradigm, researchers know that many truths exist and that a question may have many answers depending on the context of the person providing it. 3) Critical paradigm In the critical paradigm, researchers believe that there exist truths that are dominant and oppressive. For example, many historical “facts” that are considered widely as “truths” were written with a definite purpose and bias. Hence, there is a truth as stated by the colonizer which differs from the one upheld by the colonized.
Topic 5.1.2 Communication Research Philosophical Domains There are philosophical domains in the discipline of communication. These are as follows: Empirical, Foundational, Reflexive and Analytical (Anderson and Baym, 2004). Moreover, various theories can be categorized along the line of philosophical domains. This lesson will explain in depth the four philosophical domains.
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17703 Paradigm and Communication Arts Research
Self-Assessment Exercise Lesson 5.1 Understanding Communication Research Paradigms 1. Kindly review the materials explaining the various communication research paradigms – positivist, interpretive or critical. After doing so, kindly answer the following questions: 1.1) What communication research paradigm do you believe in the most? Please explain your answer; 1.2) What communication research paradigm do you believe in the least? Please explain your answer. 2. Of the four philosophical domains, select the one you like most? Please explain your answer. 3. Explain what the theory is all about. Explain why you like the theory. Answers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Module 5 Research Results and Discussion l Study Guide
Lesson 5.2 Results and Discussion using Communication Research Paradigms Issues to be discussed:
Topic 5.2.1 Results and Discussion using Positivist Paradigm Topic 5.2.2 Results and Discussion using Interpretive and Critical Paradigms
Objectives of Lesson 5.2: Results and Discussion using Communication Research Paradigms After students study Lesson 5.2, they will be able to: 1. Acquire a better handle in writing the results and discussion section of communication research projects.
Main Concepts of Lesson 5.2: Results and Discussion using Communication Research Paradigms 1. Hypotheses, using statistics, presenting quantitative data, constructing tables and graphs. 2. Writing propositions and arguments, presenting qualitative data, Topic 5.2.1 Results and Discussion using Positivist Paradigm Researchers belonging to the positivist paradigm seek to prove a hypothesis. This lesson will map out the benefits of proving and testing hypotheses, using statistics, presenting quantitative data, and constructing graphs. Topic 5.2.2 Results and Discussion using Interpretive and Critical Paradigms Main Concepts of 5.2.2: Researchers use a variety of approaches to answer questions. Some are informal and seek to solve relatively simple problems; some are based on theory and require formally worded questions. This lesson will explain how to formulate and write propositions and arguments, and present qualitative data in different formats. Su k h ot h ai T h a m m a thi r a t O p e n U ni v er si ty l 9
17703 Paradigm and Communication Arts Research
Self-Assessment Exercise Lesson 5.2: Results and Discussion using Communication Research Paradigms 1. Please answer the following questions: 1.1) Why do you think researchers subscribing to a positivist paradigm believe in hypothesis testing?; 1.2) What is a hypothesis?; 1.3) Why do hypotheses learn themselves well to a positivist research? 2. Please answer the following questions: 2.1) In what circumstances do you use tables and graphs?; 2.2) Please explain your answer. Answers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Readings Chenail, Ronald J. (1995). Presenting Qualitative Data. The Qualitative Report. Volume 2, Number 3. December. From http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR23/presenting.html. Accessed on April 9. 2015/ Chris Joyce, Alex Neill, Verena Watson, Jonathan Fisher. (2008). Tables and Graphs. From http://arb.nzcer.org.nz/supportmaterials/tables.php. Accessed on April 9, 2015. Miles, M., Huberman, M. and Johnny Saldana. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. Sage Publication. From http://www.theculturelab.umd.edu/uploads/1/4/2/2/14225661/miles-huberman-saldanadesigning-matrix-and-network-displays.pdf. Wimmer, Roger and Joseph Dominick. (1997). Mass Media Research: An Introduction. (5th ed.). California: Wadsworth Publishing Company 10 l S c ho o l of Co m m u ni c ati o n A rt s
Module 5 Research Results and Discussion l Study Guide
Self Post-Test Module 5: Research Results and Discussion Objectives: To assess the prior knowledge of the student about Module 5 Suggestions: Read the questions, then answer them in the provided space within 30 minutes. 1. Explain the difference between positivist, interpretative, and critical paradigms in research. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
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17703 Paradigm and Communication Arts Research
Assignment of Module 5: Research Results and Discussion For Module 5 you can choose one of the two following assignments: 1. Select and read at least two research papers from an Asian communication and/or media journal such as Media Asia and Journal of Asian Communication. For each paper you have read, kindly write the following: 1.1 A summary of the paper, including title, objectives, theoretical framework and main findings. 1.2 Identify the communication research paradigm and philosophical domain of the paper. Please justify your answer. 2. Kindly construct dummy tables using the following variables: (1) Exposure to television news and (2) Pessimistic outlook of the world of children in various age groups . 3. Kindly construct a dummy graph (select any of the graph types presented in the discussion) using one or more of the following variables: (1) Frequency of rural digital center visits; (2) Income class (A, B, C, D and E); and (3) Geographic location of respondent (rural, semi-urban and urban). 4. Kindly construct a dummy matrix showing the year establish, office location, number of personnel and services offered of advertising agencies based in Bangkok, Thailand. You would need to search this information from the web. 5. Kindly construct a dummy network analysis of a political icon or celebrity’s life cycle to include his or her transitions, trajectories and turning points. You can base it on his or her life story; taking it from his or her curriculum vitae.
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Module 5 Research Results and Discussion l Study Guide
Guided answers for Self Pre-Test and Post-Test of Module 5 Students are encouraged to read carefully the contents explained in the Module in order to justify and support their answers.
Guided Answers of Lesson 5.1 and Lesson 5.2 Students are encouraged to read carefully the contents explained in the Module in order to justify and support their answers.
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