Another office hours change

Jody's office hours, which were scheduled for today 3-4 PM, will now be 5-6PM.

-Rena

Midterm FAQ, part 1: Generalizability / External Validity

Q: On the midterm practice test, why is (c) the correct answer to #19?

A: The main thing to remember here is that because the sample was not representative, you can't generalize to _any_ larger group.

The methodology of a study isn't the main thing that tells you whether or
not you can generalize the results; rather, it's the _sampling method_ that tells you. That's the reason that results of the survey/correlational method are usually more generalizable than results of other methods -- good correlational studies (surveys) use representative samples. So do good content analyses. Experiments usually use convenience/availability (nonrepresentative) samples. When a study uses a nonrepresentative sample, you technically can't generalize to any larger population (though, as Prof. Mullin and I mentioned, experimenters who are looking at "universal" human processes often assume that they can generalize to everyone).

So (a) is wrong because you can't generalize to all Santa Barbara shoppers, and answer (b) is wrong because you can't generalize to all La Cumbre shoppers. The only correct conclusion you can make is that the people _in the sample_ showed those results, so (c) is correct, because it concludes that _some_ shoppers (those in the sample) gave high scores to questionnaire qu. #1.

Also, remember that generalizability has 2 main parts: sample, and environment. If the sample is not representative, you can't really generalize to a larger population. If the study environment is very artificial, then you can't really generalize to real-life settings.

Office hours tomorrow (Mon) start at 7:10

Hi, all! For some reason, I forgot to include time after my pre-office-hours activity to walk back to my office from across campus (the other activity ends at 7). So you can expect me to be at my office by around 7:05 or 7:10. I'll see how fast I can run. :]

Also, please remember to take your ID to class on Tues.

-Rena

Due in section tomorrow (Apr. 27)

I just noticed that my first post had comments. I'll follow Tammy's suggestion and let you know what's due in section. (As a reminder, this info is also on p. 5 of the course reader.)

For this week, it's Exercise #3, and by the end of section, you'll need to turn in your group rationale and hypotheses/RQ's.

For next week (May 4) , there's no homework per se, but by the end of section, you'll need to turn in your group prospectus & measures.

Also, FYI, here are the office hours before the midterm:
Mine: Mon 7- 9 PM
Lucy's: Mon 10-11 AM
Jody's: Mon 3-4 PM
(See the course reader for office locations.)

CORRECTION: My office hours on Monday will be 7:10 to 9:10, not 7-9. Jody's office hours will be 5-6PM instead of 3-4PM.

-Rena

Research Process Handout

A "Conducting & Evaluating Research" handout, based on the section projector slides, is here . Enjoy!

-Rena

Welcome!

Welcome to the COMM 88 blog for Rena's sections! Check back here for announcements, FAQs, tips about assignments, etc. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions!

-Rena