Theme 3: Research and Theory (Reflection)

In this week's theme we discussed the meaning of theory, hypotheses and critically examined a journal article of our choosing.

We discussed with Leif that a theory per se is something that is unproven or speculative. But this can better be characterized by the word hypothesis. A theory is about knowing/seeing (greek: theorem = to look), it offers an exploratory framework for observations that we make and it involves stepping back from what you see in oder to put a proper distance between you and the object you are looking at. A theory is also a contrast to praxis, although it is still a form of practice since practice always has a theoretical dimension. We discussed that theories are tested and regarded as true, that they can show connections between phenomena and explain how, why and what lies behind that. A theory tries to find a causal logic between cause & event. It can also lead to a paradigm shift, which happens when a new theory replaces an old theory. The strength of theory in modern times is related to the diversity of phenomenons it explains.

We also distinguished between philosophical theories and scientific theories. Philosophical theories are based on ideas, while scientific theories are based on empirical data.

Scientific theories are for my understanding more important in the context of Media Technology, as we are researching phenomenons based on data, not ideas. We analyze our data statistically and can make falsifiable predictions (See Karl Popper, Keuth, 2004).

The term research can be summed up as a "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge of man, culture & society and the use of this stock on knowledge to devise new application". (Frascati Manual, 2002).

Scientific research makes practical applications possible through gathering data.

Applied research doesn't develop any theories itself, but uses existing theories and methods to solve practical problems.

Hermeneutics  and semiotics explore issues around an object, such as context (historical, social, political, cultural) without giving an ultimate answer.

Artistic research is practice based and involves design / production of artifacts.

In the seminar with Ilias we discussed once again what theory is and what makes an hypothesis a different word, as we read in Weick (1995) what theory is not.

My group and I came up with the typical scientific cycle (quantitative!) from theory to discussion, as seen in every journal article. A simplified version would be:

Brainstorming > Theory > Phrasing of hypotheses > Choice of method > Choice of participants > Collection of data > Data evaluation > Testing of hypotheses > Results > Discussion > Possible conclusions

This helped us to distinguish theory from hypotheses. Also we discussed that truth is relative. We find truth through falsification. 

I participated actively in class through discussing the concepts of theory and hypotheses. I prepared for this week's lecture through reading about several statistical methods mentioned in my paper such as scale creation and through informing myself in detail about the self-determination theory of Ryan and Deci.

Sources

Alt, D. (2015). College students' academic motivation, media engagement and fear of missing out. Computers in Human Behavior. 49, 111-119. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.02.057

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.
Frascati Manual (2002). Proposed Standard Practice for Surveys on Research and Experimental Development, The Measurement of Scientific and Technological Activities. OECD Publishing, Paris. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264199040-en
Keuth, H. (2004). The philosophy of Karl Popper. Cambridge: University Press. 

Sutton, R., Staw, B. M. (1995). What theory is not. Administrative Science Quartely. 40 (3). 371-384.

Weick, E. K. (1995). What theory is not, theorizing is. Administrative Science Quartely. 40 (3). 385-390.