Transcript Week of 10.1, TO DO

Week of 10.1, TO DO
• PPT handout, up front; plus “Big Ideas,” chapter 3 –
handout
• POR acknowledgement sheet, up front
• Turn in Quiz, chpt. 3, folder up front
• “Pop quiz” chpt. 2, review answers, (turn in your quiz
after we review the answers)
• Prof. Davis is finished with TILT – they will be entered
this week; hard copies returned.
• Pull out POR readings I mentioned in the email (PSC &
Cohesion)
• In-class: discuss definitions in context of RQs/Hs
IV/DVs
• There is a relationship between
denominational affiliation and reasons for
reading Left Behind.
• IV: denominational affiliation
• DV: reasons for reading left behind
IV/DVs
• Protestants are more likely than Catholics
to read Left Behind for instruction about
“end times.”
• IV: denominational affiliation (Protestants
and Catholics)
• DV: “instruction about end times” (reason)
IV/DVs
• Is social support more likely to be
communicated with email, text messaging,
or IM in dating relationships?
• IV: type of electronic media (email, TM, IM)
• DV: communication of social support in
dating relationships
IV/DVs
• There is a relationship between church
attendance and amount of religious
television viewing.
• IV: religious television viewing
• DV: church attendance (low, regular, high)
IV/DVs
• There is a negative relationship between
religious television viewing and church
attendance.
• IV: religious television viewing
• DV: church attendance (low, regular, high)
IV/DVs
• Individuals with low communication
apprehension will report significantly more
positive parental behaviors and attitudes
toward communication than individuals
with high communication apprehension.
• IV: communication apprehension
• DV: (2) positiveness of parental behaviors;
attitudes toward communication (amount of)
• NOTE: high & low are levels of one variable,
not 2 variables.
IV/DV’s
• The older one is, the greater will be the
levels of stress perceived in one’s life
• IV: age
• DV: perceived stress
– note: older is a predicted direction, not variable
– age is the variable, measured in some direction
PSC article
• Find the H’s – there were 7!!
“Big Ideas” (chpt. 3)
As a result of your readings and our class discussion this week
you should have a basic understanding of and be able to
explain the following:
• Define and explain conceptual definitions in communication
research
• Define and explain operational definitions
• Distinguish conceptual from operational definitions
• Identify 3 sources for conceptual and operational definitions
(and the best for each type of definition)
• Locate conceptual and operational definitions in research
articles you are reading
• Determine at what stage of the research process definitional
issues are settled (see the research model)
• Understand and apply criteria for evaluating good/bad
conceptual and operational definitions.
STEP 1:
CONCEPTUALIZATION
Chpt. 1
Narrow focus
Identify topic
Define Key Concepts
Chpt. 5
STEP 2: PLANNING
& DESIGNING
STEP 3: SELECTING A
METHODOLOGY
Report / Write
Review of Literature
Research Question
Hypotheses
Chpt. 3
App. G
Measurement
Techniques
Operationalizaton
Which Method?
Chpt. 2
STEP 4: ANALYZE
& INTERPRET DATA
STEP 5:
RECONCEPTUALIZATION
A WORKING MODEL OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Developing Definitions for
Concepts
• Concepts (hypothetical constructs): things for
which direct observations can’t be made
• Definitions move us from abstract to concrete
– Love and Interpersonal attraction
• Definitions are statements asserting that one term
may be substituted for another
• Tell us what concepts and variables really mean
• Isolate essential qualities of concepts
Diagnostic Questions for Conceptual &
Operational Definitions
• What do you mean by?
Conceptual
• How will you measure?
• How will you make observations?
• What will you do to detect the
presence of your variable in the
setting you are studying?
Operational
10.3, TO DO
• Turn in library assignments (3 separate folders up
front)
• chpt. 3 quiz, pick up (NOTE: if you didn’t figure
out how to print off % score, see me after class)
• TILT scores are entered. Hard copies up front.
• “Pop quiz” chpt. 3, on Monday
• Pull out POR readings I mentioned in the email
(PSC, Cohesion, and “sense of community” scale)
• In-class: more discussion of definitions in context
of RQs/Hs
STEP 1:
CONCEPTUALIZATION
Chpt. 1
Narrow focus
Identify topic
Define Key Concepts
Chpt. 5
STEP 2: PLANNING
& DESIGNING
STEP 3: SELECTING A
METHODOLOGY
Report / Write
Review of Literature
Research Question
Hypotheses
Chpt. 3
App. G
Measurement
Techniques
Operationalizaton
Which Method?
Chpt. 2
STEP 4: ANALYZE
& INTERPRET DATA
STEP 5:
RECONCEPTUALIZATION
A WORKING MODEL OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Assessment
• An hypothesis that states simply that there
will be some kind of relationship between
variables, or some difference between
groups of the IV, without stating the
direction is called. . .
• ANSWER: non-directional hypothesis
• ANSWER: also referred to as “two-tailed”
Assessment
• Independent variables may be related to
dependent variables in 3 ways. What are
they?
• ANSWER:
1) Positive
2) Negative
3) No relationship
Assessment
• What’s the IV/DV in the following: There is a
positive relationship between perceived realism
and Reality Television Affinity.
ANSWER:
1. IV = Perceived Realism
2. DV = Affinity Toward Reality TV
Assessment
• Is this an H, or RQ? There is a positive
relationship between Perceived Realism and
Reality Television Affinity.
ANSWER: Directional hypotheses
Assessment
• What does “positive” relationship mean in his H?
There is a positive relationship between Perceived
Realism and Reality Television Affinity.
ANSWER: Increases in the IV are associated with
increases in the DV – so, as PR increases, so with one’s
“liking of”, or affinity toward, RTV
Assessment
• Name at least 3 sources in which you might find
conceptual definitions of variables in your RQ or H
•
•
•
•
ANSWER:
1. Journal articles (Conceptual Lit. Reviews)
2. Specialized Encyclopedias/Dictionaries
3. Textbooks
4. Handbooks, Yearbooks, Annual Reviews
Assessment
• When we say conceptual definitions are
“constitutive,” what do we mean?
• ANSWER: they rely on other, similar
concepts to describe a term.
Definitions
Conceptual
CONSTITUTIVE
Relies on other, similar, concepts
to describe a term“Empathy”
(bias = favoritism)
DENOTATIVEWispe (1987), chapter
“Dictionary Definitions”
(see
p. 79)
Parella, (1971)
“Toward
Define by relating
to otherofconcepts
a Clarification
the
Concept of Empathy”
FOUNDATIONAL
QJS
Necessary to later operationalize
and measure if it exists
SOURCES
Journal articles, Dictionaries,
Textbooks, Conceptual Lit. Reviews,
PROBLEMS
Too....much, little, vague, circular,
value-laded, etc. (pp. 102-104)
Number of stories
Length
OperationalLanguage (+ or -)
Sources quoted
SPECIFIC
Placement
Describes what is to be
observed;
(DV); not worried about the feeling
SYSTEMATIC EG
Step-by-step plan to make an
observation of the concept defined
(“recipe”) (other instruments!)
CONCEPTUAL FIT
Preserve meaning between
conceptual and operational
FORMS
measured, direct classification
(via observation)
E.gs of Operational Definitions
• PSC article
– Conceptual definition?
– Operational definition?
• NOTE: Psychological sense of Community:
http://campus.arbor.edu/surveys/cccusurvey.htm
• Spiritual Gifts
ExamplesHow
- Definitions
do we operationalize
“intimate relationships?”
How is social support expressed
members of
Scores on a between
relational intimacy
scale (from 1-7)
intimate relationships?
- Expression of social support = communication that
reduces uncertainty about self and the other
- Intimate relationships = degree of emotional
attachment
There is a positive relationship between selfdisclosure and interpersonal
Howattraction?
do we operationalize
- Self-disclosure = sharing infocommunity?
about ourselves
of toward
- Interpersonal attraction =Use
feelRovai’s
personalSense
affinity
Community online index
What’s the relationship between an instructor’s use
audio podcasts and students’ sense of community in
traditional classrooms?
- Community: sense of belonging, etc. Others?
E.gs of Operational Definitions
• Will taking a public speaking course reduce
one’s level of communication apprehension?
Example
Level of Communication apprehension is
operationally defined as one’s score on Smith’s
Communication Apprehension Scale (1982), or,
one’s score on McCroskey’s Scale
Another approach . . .?
Are you an Evangelical Christian?
• Conceptual Definition?
• Operational Definition? (Passion Survey) (Ideal Professor)
– George Barna
– Christian based on their beliefs (categorical)
• Operational Checklist
– 1. have you made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ
(“born again”) SA . . . . SD
– 2. my faith is still important in my life today
– 3. I will go to Heaven because I have confessed my sins and have
accepted Jesus Christ as my savior
– 4. I have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about
Christ with non-Christians
– 5. Satan exists
– 6. eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not by being good or
doing good deeds
– 7. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth
– 8. saying that the Bible is totally accurate in all it teaches
– 9. God is the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect deity who created the
universe and still rules it today
Example
• Hypothesis: Women are more likely to watch RTV
for escape and social interaction than men.
• Research Q: What is the audience
forTVReality
I watch Reality
because.. TV
Why do you watch Realty TV?
1) so I can forget about work/school
shows?
What
reasons
do
they
have
forfrom
viewing?
Have them report of reason and
2)
to get away
the family
motivations for watching. THEN,
group responses into categories
Reality
shows? -- Conceptual?
(contentTV
analysis)
NOTE: greater depth than quantitative.
3) So I can get away from what I’m doing
Agree
Agree
Strongly
5
4
Un.
D DS
3
2
1
Reality TV shows? -- Operational?
Reasons/Motivations-- (Quant) Escape? Social Interaction?
(Qualit) Open-ended?
Should I use Quant/Qualit?
Research Q? Method?, etc.
Checklist for Conceptual
Definitions
Contemporary Christian Music Radio: Any solid
Protestant evangelical station that plays CCM for a
significant portion of the regular program schedule
• Does it include all situations or instances properly
included? (too narrow)
• Does it exclude situations or instances that are not properly
included? (too broad)
• Does it use the term defined? (circular)
• Is it more precise than the term it is defining?
• Does it include loaded language?
E.gs of Operational Definitions
• Small groups where Group Cohesion is high
will be more productive than small groups
where Group Cohesion is low
Example
Group Cohesion Scale
Other examples
•
•
•
•
•
Goddard
Trade Mags
Ko/Kg/L
Listening
Communication Competence
Operational Definition
• Does the show, Wayans Bros, promote
racial stereotypes of African American
Characters?
Promotion of racial stereotypes?
1. Occupations
2. Slang/language
3. Sexual innuendo
Survey Examples
• Passion of the Christ
http://www.edcomresearch.com/passion.html
• Psychological sense of Community:
http://campus.arbor.edu/surveys/cccusurvey.htm.
• Ideal Professor:
http://campus.arbor.edu/surveys/idealprofessor.ht
m
• Left Behind:
http://campus.arbor.edu/surveys/com_survey3.htm
Checklist for Operational
Definitions
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Empirically based and definite
2. Logically consistent
3. Intersubjectivity?
4. Technically possible?
5. Repeatable?
6. Suggestive of constructs?
The End
“Television Portrayals and African American Stereotypes: Examination
of Television Effects When direct Contact is Lacking.“ (Yuki
Fujioka,Journalism and Mass Comm. Quarterly, 1999, 76(1), see p. 52).
Violence
(Factor 1)
Rich
(Factor 3)
Family Ties
(Factor 4)
Violence prone (-) Trust (+)
Intelligence (+)
Self-reliance (+)
Drug use (-)
Low Crime (+)
Rich (+)
Tolerance (+)
Alcohol Abuse (-)
Hard Working (+)
Patriotism (+)
Strong family ties
(+)
Drug Dealing (-)
Trust
(Factor 2)
Education (+)
Too much...
• Communication means that
information is passed from one place to
another (George Miller, p. 6)
• Professor credibility includes those
behaviors exhibited by professors in
the presence of students.
Circular…Too little…Too Vague
• Professor credibility is defined as “those
characteristics of an instructor that make
him or her credible in the eyes of student in
class.”
• “Professor credibility is a student’s
perception of faculty competence based on
his or her satisfaction with the class.”
Researching
“being in love”
Interpersonal Attraction
IAS – Operationalizing Attraction
McCroskey
& McCain,
1974
How do we
operationalize
“Communication
apprehension?
IV/DV’s
• When people are exposed to fear arousing
messages, as opposed to non fear arousing
messages, they will report increased levels of
anxiety.
• IV: level of (exposure to) fear arousing messages
• DV: level of anxiety
IV/DVs
• Individuals with low communication
apprehension will report significantly more
positive parental behaviors and attitudes toward
communication than individuals with high
communication apprehension.
• IV: communication apprehension
• DV: (2) positiveness of parental behaviors; attitudes
toward communication
• NOTE: high & low are levels of one variable, not 2
variables. If it were restricted to a “high degree” it
would be a constant, not a variable
IV/DVs
• Subjects reading persuasive messages by
attractive sources will experience greater
attitude change than subjects reading
persuasive messages by unattractive
sources
• IV: attractiveness of sources (reading
persuasive messages)
• DV: attitude change
IV/DV’s
• The older one is, the greater will be the
levels of stress perceived in one’s life
• IV: age
• DV: perceived stress
– note: this one posits a simple relationship, not a
difference like the one’s before
– note: older is a predicted direction, not variable
– age is the variable, measured in some direction
IV/DV’s
• The public’s evaluations of public relations
in general will be higher when licensed
practitioners engage in 2-way
communication strategies for altruistic
motives than evaluations of public relations
in general when unlicensed public relations
sources have selfish motives and the
practitioner engages in 1-way
communication strategies.
• http://campus.arbor.edu/surveys/cccusurvey.
htm
Operational Definition
• Was the coverage of the 2007 Democratic
Presidential Candidate debate between
Hillary Clinton and John Edwards biased?
Bias is operationally defined as:
1. Number of stories
2. Length of stories
3. Language used
1. Positive
2. negative
4. Quotes
1. Direct
2. paraphrase
5. Placement of stories
1. Beginning
2. middle
3. neutral
3. end
How do we
operationalize
“Communication
apprehension?