Questioning Numbers How to Read and Critique Research

by Wilkins, Karin

• ISBN13: 9780199747399
• ISBN10: 0199747393
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-11-17
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

The purpose of Questioning the Politics of Numbers is to offer a primer on how to read and critique research that uses numbers in the course of empirical argument. As a supplement to more comprehensive research texts, this book should contribute toward a more critical education of students and scholars interested in the politics of research. This book offers not only a list of guidelines to consider in reading research, but also a critical approach to how we can best judge and use numbers in navigating and changing our social worlds. Questioning the Politics of Numbers is meant to be a supplemental text, and is flexible enough to work with any of the major main texts in research methods on the market today. Key features include key terms, reflection questions, and review exercises. That the book does not blanch from talking about the political agendas that can shape research suggests that some will really love this book, and some others will really not. This is borne out by the reviews.

Author Biography

Karin Gwinn Wilkins is a Professor in the Department of Radio-TV-Film at the University of Texas at Austin.

Table of Contents

Chapters 2-7 end with Key Terms, Review Questions, Reflection Questions, and an Exercise.

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1: HOW TO READ AND CRITIQUE RESEARCH
Understanding Numbers
-- Deductive and Inductive Processes
-- Intrinsic Value
The Political Context of Research
-- Research Illustrations
-- Numerical Literacy
Key Terms
Reflection Questions
Exercise

CHAPTER 2: WHY DO RESEARCH? QUESTIONING THE RESEARCH CONTEXT
Who Produced the Research?
-- Researchers' Home Institutions
-- Funding Institutions
-- Permission Granting Institutions
What is the Purpose of the Research?
What are the Research Questions?
How is the Research Justified?
Why the Research Context Matters

CHAPTER 3: WHAT CAN WE KNOW? QUESTIONING THE RESEARCH DESIGN
What is the Research Design?
What are the Internal Validity Concerns?
-- Experimental Design
-- Quasi-Experimental Cross-Sectional Design
-- Quasi-Experimental Longitudinal Design
-- Case Study Design
Questioning Research Designs
Why Research Design Matters

CHAPTER 4: WHO IS THE RESEARCH ABOUT? QUESTIONING SELECTION STRATEGIES
Who or What is the Subject of the Research?
-- Vulnerable Populations
How are Subjects Selected?
-- Probability Sampling
-- Non-Probability Sampling
What are the Limitations of the Sample?
Why Selection Strategies Matter

CHAPTER 5: WHAT IS THE RESEARCH ABOUT? QUESTIONING KEY TERMS
How Are Key Concepts Defined?
How Are Variables Operationalized from Concepts?
What Do We Know About Key Variables?
-- Measurement
-- Assessment
Why Definitions Matter

CHAPTER 6: HOW WAS THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED? QUESTIONING RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION
How Are Data Gathered?
How Do Researchers Gain Access to Data?
-- Deception
-- Voluntary Participation
-- Informed Consent
-- Public Space
How Do Researchers Document their Observations?
-- Recording Observations
-- Confidentiality and Anonymity
Why Research Implementation Matters

CHAPTER 7: WHAT DO WE KNOW? QUESTIONING ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
What Do We Know about Patterns across Variables?
-- Significance
-- Strength
-- Causality
What Do We Still Need to Know?
Why Analysis and Interpretation Matter

CHAPTER 8: QUESTIONING RESEARCH
Guideline of Questions
Questioning the Research Context
Questioning the Research Design
Questioning the Selection Strategy
Questioning Key Terms
Questioning the Research Implementation
Questioning Analysis and Interpretation
Why the Political Context Matters

GLOSSARY
REFERENCES