Communication Theory and Statistical Methods
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Questions and Answers

What is a normal distribution often described as?

  • A uniform distribution
  • A bell-shaped curve (correct)
  • An exponential curve
  • A linear relationship

What does a null hypothesis represent in hypothesis testing?

  • A probability of type I error
  • A hypothesis with multiple variables
  • A default assumption with no effect (correct)
  • A conclusion drawn from experimental data

Which method is primarily used to evaluate the accuracy of a regression model?

  • Standard deviation
  • R² value (correct)
  • Least square error
  • P-value

What does Cohen's d measure in the context of t-tests?

<p>Effect size (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical field studies the nature of existence and reality?

<p>Ontology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does epistemology differ from ontology?

<p>Epistemology concerns methods of knowing, while ontology concerns the nature of existence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does methodology focus on in research?

<p>The philosophical justification for research (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic differentiates a chi-square test from other statistical tests?

<p>It analyzes data that is nominal or ordinal. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Craig highlight about communication theory?

<p>It consists of multiple traditions that can enrich understanding. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'metadiscursive practice' in Craig's perspective?

<p>Theory reflects and discusses real-world communicative actions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Craig argue against a unified theory of communication?

<p>A single theory cannot encompass all aspects of communication. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the rhetorical tradition in communication?

<p>It views communication as an art of persuasion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the semiotic tradition, communication is primarily understood through which aspect?

<p>The exchange and interpretation of signs. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which tradition emphasizes understanding through subjective individual experiences?

<p>Phenomenological Tradition (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What approach should communication theory adopt, according to Craig?

<p>Encourage debate and understanding among different traditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Craig view the relationship between theory and practice in communication?

<p>Theory should influence practical discourse and reflect real actions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of a scientific paradigm?

<p>It includes ontological and epistemological assumptions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is knowledge created by social science considered tentative?

<p>It is derived from a specific worldview. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which inquiry strategy starts with observations to develop general theories?

<p>Induction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which logic of inquiry is typically associated with neo-positivism?

<p>Deduction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about research paradigms and logic of inquiry is true?

<p>Research paradigms dictate the logic of inquiry used. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the classical positivist paradigm in social research?

<p>It has been updated and modified over time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of abductive logic in research?

<p>To create plausible explanations based on observations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major critique of incorporating subjective perspectives in social science?

<p>It can make the research less useful and credible. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of research according to the methodology described?

<p>To explain causal mechanisms (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of retroduction in research?

<p>A reasoning process working backward from observed phenomena (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by methodological reduction in research?

<p>Simplifying a phenomenon to make it more manageable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents the relationship between structure and agency in understanding social phenomena?

<p>Both structure and agency shape social reality (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does ontological reduction typically involve in research?

<p>Omitting variables that do not fit theoretical assumptions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of scientific inquiry, what is a cognitive object?

<p>A conceptual representation of observed phenomena (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does operationalization refer to in the context of a theory?

<p>Adapting a theory for practical application (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are theories generally constructed according to the layers of theories concept?

<p>They are built on deeply embedded images and understandings (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cybernetic Tradition specifically emphasize in communication?

<p>Information processing through systems (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which measure is used to summarize the spread of data around the mean?

<p>Variance (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario is a t-test not suitable for use?

<p>When the sample has outliers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a p-value represent in statistical testing?

<p>The probability of obtaining results under the null hypothesis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes nominal data?

<p>Data with no inherent order (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Variance

A measure of the spread of data around the mean. It represents the average squared deviation from the mean.

Standard Deviation

The square root of the variance. It provides a more intuitive measure of data spread compared to variance, as it's in the same units as the original data.

T-test

A statistical test used to compare the means of two groups. It's useful for determining if there's a significant difference between the groups.

Cohen's d

A measure of effect size for comparing means, quantifying the magnitude of difference between two groups.

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Chi-square test

A statistical test used to analyze relationships between categorical variables. It helps determine dependencies or associations.

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Bonferroni correction

A method for adjusting p-values in statistical tests when performing multiple comparisons. It helps control for the increased risk of false positives.

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Z-score

A standardized score that indicates how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean. It's used to compare data from different distributions.

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Box plot

A visual representation of data distribution, showing median, quartiles, and potential outliers. It provides a quick overview of the data's spread and shape.

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Normal Distribution

A bell-shaped curve that illustrates how data points are distributed, indicating the frequency of values around a central point.

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Null Hypothesis

A default assumption in hypothesis testing that there is no effect or relationship between variables.

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Degrees of Freedom

The number of values that can vary in calculations without breaking constraints, representing the degrees of freedom in a dataset.

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Regression Analysis

A method used to fit the best model to data by minimizing the squared difference between predicted and actual values.

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R-squared

A measure of the strength of association between variables in regression analysis.

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P-value

The probability of obtaining the observed results if the null hypothesis is true, used to decide whether to reject the null hypothesis.

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Retroduction

The process of working backward from observed phenomena to infer possible underlying causes or mechanisms; it involves reasoning from the effects to their causes.

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Real Object

A defined size or something that exists in the world.

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Cognitive Object

A constructed concept or idea that represents phenomena within a research framework; they are not directly observable but are aspects of reality studied through scientific inquiry.

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Logic of Inquiry

A unique mode of reasoning that involves working backward from observed phenomena to infer the possible underlying causes or mechanisms.

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Methodological Reduction

The simplification of a complex phenomenon to make it more manageable for study; it involves focusing on specific variables while setting aside others deemed less relevant to the current research question.

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Ontological Reduction

The removal of aspects that are expected to be there, often to make a phenomenon simpler or align it with a specific theoretical framework; it involves omitting variables that don't fit the researcher's ontological assumptions.

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Operationalization

The act of adapting a theory to its intended use; it involves translating abstract concepts into measurable variables.

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Methodological Assumptions

Involves both structure and agency, where reality is shaped by both objective conditions and individual actions.

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Rhetorical Tradition

The art of speaking and persuading.

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Semiotic Tradition

The exchange of signs and symbols, and how people interpret them.

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Phenomenological Tradition

The individual's subjective experience of understanding others through communication.

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Dialogical-dialectical field

Communication theory should be understood as a field where different traditions interact and contribute to a larger conversation.

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Metadiscursive Practice

Theory functions as a way to reflect on and discuss communicative actions in the real world.

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Goals for Communication Theory

Communication theory should foster understanding and debate among the different traditions, rather than seeking a single unified theory.

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Practical Discipline

Craig argues that communication theory should be a practical discipline that contributes to society's understanding of communication.

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Communication Theory Traditions

Communication theory is not a cohesive discipline but consists of many traditions with different approaches to understanding communication.

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Cybernetic Communication

Communication is viewed as the flow of information through systems, often with feedback loops. Think of a computer network or a thermostat.

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Sociopsychological Communication

Communication is seen as influencing individuals' thoughts, feelings, and actions. It's about how we change each other's behavior through communication.

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Sociocultural Communication

Communication is a powerful force that shapes our social structures, beliefs, and cultural identities. It's how we create shared understanding.

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Critical Communication

Communication can be used to challenge power structures and inequalities. It's about exposing and critiquing power imbalances.

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Research Paradigm

A research paradigm is a set of assumptions about the nature of social reality (how things are) and how we can obtain knowledge about it.

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Social Science Goals

The goal of social science is to understand and explain puzzling aspects of social life, sometimes aiming to improve them.

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Theoretical Perspectives in Social Science

Different theoretical perspectives can lead to different understandings of social life. They provide distinct answers to questions about social phenomena.

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Epistemological Assumptions

Epistemological assumptions concern how knowledge about social reality is obtained. They explore the source and validity of social science knowledge.

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Neo-positivism

A scientific perspective that emphasizes objectivity and uses quantitative methods to study social phenomena. It aims to discover causal laws and explain social behavior in a systematic and predictable way.

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Interpretivism

A scientific perspective that emphasizes the subjective experiences, meanings, and interpretations of individuals and groups. It uses qualitative methods to understand social phenomena from the inside out.

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Scientific Realism

A scientific perspective that recognizes the existence of underlying mechanisms and structures that shape social phenomena. It uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to study these mechanisms.

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Induction

The process of starting with observations and developing general theories based on those observations. This approach is suitable for exploratory research.

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Deduction

The process of starting with a theory and testing it through empirical observations. This approach is often used in hypothesis-driven research.

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Abduction

Generating plausible explanations for observed phenomena based on observations and context. This approach focuses on the creation of meaning.

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Study Notes

Content Outline

  • Statistics
    • Basic Statistical Concepts: Mean, median, mode measure central tendency. Variance measures data spread around the mean. Standard deviation is the square root of the variance, showing typical deviations. Range is the difference between highest and lowest values. Sum of squares calculates variance/standard deviation. Z-scores are standardized values with a mean of 0 and standard deviation of 1.
    • Data and Data Types: Variables are measurable characteristics (height, weight). Population is the entire group of interest. Sample is a subset. Dataset is a collection of cases and variables. Case is an individual data point.
    • Categorical Data: Nominal (no order) and ordinal (ranked order).
    • Numerical Data: Discrete (whole numbers) and continuous (any value within a range).
    • Statistical Tests and Methods: T-test (comparing means, not suitable for ordinal/small samples), Chi-square test (categorical relationships), Regression (modeling relationships), Bonferroni correction (multiple comparisons). Parametric tests (assume data follows specific distribution, e.g., normal). Correlation (relationship strength/direction). Least square error (minimizing regression error).
    • Statistical Outputs and Measures: R² (variance explained by a model), Cohen's d (effect size comparison), P-value (probability of observing data if null hypothesis is true), Critical value (statistical significance threshold), Alpha (significance level, e.g., 1% or 5%).
    • Descriptive and Visual Statistics: Descriptive statistics summarizes data (mean, standard deviation, range). Box plots visualize data distribution (median, quartiles, outliers). Normal distribution/Gaussian curve shows data point distribution.
    • Hypothesis Testing: Null hypothesis is a default assumption (no effect/relationship). Degrees of freedom are the number of values that can vary in calculations without breaking constraints.

Ontology, Epistemology & Methodology

  • Ontology: Philosophical study of existence, concerned with what exists.
    • Ontological spectrum: Idealism (reality dependent on consciousness), Realism/Materialism (reality independent of perception), Constructivism, Neopositivist, and Critical realism.
  • Epistemology: Study of obtaining knowledge, limitations and how knowledge is generated. Concerned with the production and limits of human knowledge and lenses through which we perceive the world.
  • Methodology: Theoretical approach and rationale behind research (the "why"). Methods are the techniques/tools for data collection and analysis (the "how").

Philosophy of Science

  • Philosophy of science: Study of what science is/how it works. Establishes criteria for "scientific."
  • Social Sciences Paradigms: Neo-Positivism (hard facts, quantifiable), Interpretivism, Critical Realism.

Communication Theory

  • Goals for Communication Theory: Fostering understanding and debate within the different traditions.
  • 7 Communication Traditions: Rhetorical, Semiotic, Phenomenological, Cybernetic, Socio-psychological, Sociocultural, Critical. (These traditions are described in more detail in the text).
  • Metadiscursive Practice: Theory as a reflection on communicative actions in the real world.
  • Communication Theory as Dialectical Field: Different traditions interact, complementing and challenging one another.

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Description

This quiz explores foundational concepts in communication theory and statistics. It covers topics including normal distribution, hypothesis testing, and different traditions within communication studies. Test your understanding of these essential theories and methodologies.

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