Research Work in Three Parts
Research Question
Topics for the research work for the term are up to each individual student to develop. The only constraint is that they focus on the human and the social aspects of a technology or set of practices around a technology. I will work with each of you individually to define and develop a topic that interests you and fits within the scope of the course. If you have questions before you turn in this first assignment, call or send email.
For the Research Question assignment, write 2-3 paragraphs describing or defining an area of inquiry you would like to pursue as your major project for this course. Be sure you explain what phenomenon you want to explore and why you think it might be interesting or important to explore the phenomenon. In thinking about what you want to explore, keep the material on methods we've read in the Jones book in mind, because the next part of this 3-part assignment is to write up a detailed account of what data you will use, how you will gather it, and what analytic/interpretive techniques you will need to complete the assignment.
Here are some very, very general ideas of areas to think about. You might want to find a small community of people who use some form of chat regularly -- to conduct the business of a club or to keep in touch without the expense of a phone call. Or you might want to explore how people are using "voice over IP" (also often referred to as VoIP) because you think that people's phone habits are likely to change in some interesting ways as a result of the availability of this technology. Or you might be interested in some novel use of "wish lists" or the systems eBay and Amazon are now using to allow people to rate other people's performance as a reviewer or supplier of goods.
Other general areas people have explored: blogs and bloggers, various cults and subcultures, Web site "rings." The possibilities really are endless. Just remember that the central concerns of this course are people and their behaviors, choices, even desires, rather than technologies per se.
This assignment is due on October 9.
Plan to meet or speak with me during the week after you turn in this part so we can make sure you have a viable topic area and are on track with the research design phase.
Research Design
This assignment essentially asks you to write up the methods you will use to address the questions you are interested in. You should draw on the readings to help you identify and define the "unit of analysis" you will be using, the data you will gather, and in general terms the analytic or interpretive framework you think you will apply to the data you are gathering.
Data can take all kinds of forms, including results of surveys; tallies of things like links, hits, page views; the subject lines or contents of email messages; the contents and presentational styles of "personal home pages"; and so on. It can even consist largely of published articles on a subject.
Make sure your research design includes an introduction (a synopsis or condensed version of your research question, revised and refined as you think more about what you're after), definitions of key terms or problems, and as complete a description of the whats and hows of your research as you can manage at this stage. Aim for something like 1000 words.
This assignment is due on October 23.
Research Report
This is the major assignment for the semester and should represent a substantial effort. If you are a master's student, I will expect a minimum of 2500 words. In the old electric typewriter metric, this would be the equivalent of 10 typed pages using double-spacing, standard margins and 12pt type. If you are a doctoral student, I will expect a minimum of 3750 words (15 typed pages). In both cases, you should have a list of works cited. For master's students, that list must include at least 4 citations from peer-reviewed sources and a minimum of 8 citations. Doctoral students must have at least 10 peer-reviewed sources and a minimum of 15 citations over all. Use either MLA or APA style for your in-text citations and works cited list. I'm not fussy but I'd like you to use some recognized, formal style and to be consist in your approach. If you don't know what these things are, don't be afraid to ask.
If your project is based on empirical data, a research report typically includes an abstract, a few pages of introduction setting up the questions that prompted the research (situating the problem in a body of professional literature, defining key terms, and discussing why the question is important or relevant at this time); a section explaining the methods used (including a clear account of the unit(s) of analysis, techniques for gathering the data, and tools for analyzing that data); a section of results or discussion; and a conclusion. In practice, the forms for such things vary widely by discipline and place of publication. The chapters in Steve Jones' book offer a number of useful models.
If you are pursuing a more humanistic, interpretive project, the research report morphs into something like an article or essay. These often do not have titled sub-sections but they do contain the same material. That is, a good interpretive essay explores a problem and situates it in a body of professional literature and concerns, defines what is being analyzed or interpreted, makes a case for the analysis/interpretation, and reaches beyond itself for some conclusions that point back out into the wider world of professional practice to which it is presumably addressed.
This assignment is due on December 18.
