Scientific methods for the humanities / Willie van Peer, Frank Hakemulder, Sonia Zyngier.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Peer, Willie van, author.

Zyngier, Sonia, author.

Contributor:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Series:

Linguistic approaches to literature ; 13.

Linguistic approaches to literature ; 13

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science and the humanities.

Interdisciplinary approach to knowledge.

Humanities--Philosophy.

Humanities.

Science--Philosophy.

Science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (350 pages) ; illustrations

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Philadelphia, PA : John Benjamins Publishing Company, [2012].

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This introductory textbook on empirical research methods for the Humanities reflects on the problems and possibilities of testing the empirical assumptions, explaining a wide range of methods from interviews to observation research. The book presents qualitative approaches to research but focuses mostly on quantitative methods, detailing the workings of basic statistics.

Here is a much needed introductory textbook on empirical research methods for the Humanities. Especially aimed at students and scholars of Literature, Applied Linguistics, and Film and Media, it stimulates readers to reflect on the problems and possibilities of testing the empirical assumptions and offers hands-on learning opportunities to develop empirical studies. It explains a wide range of methods, from interviews to observation research, and guides readers through the choices researchers have to make. It discusses the essence of experiments, illustrates how studies are designed, how to de

Contents:

1. A new beginning

1.1.Understanding versus explaining

1.2.Some problems

1.3.Two cultures?

1.4.The scientific study of meaning

1.5.A visit to Wundt's laboratory

1.6.The Wundt curve

1.7.Empirical aesthetics

1.8.The Clockwork Muse

1.9.Complexity

1.10.Why methodology?

Assignment

To be carried out before turning to Chapter Two

Interlude Some misconceptions about scientific and empirical research of culture

2. Basic insights from the philosophy of science

2.1.The word `science'

2.2.Motion

2.3.Foundations

2.4.Contradictions

2.5.Predictions

2.6.An experiment

2.7.Comparison of theories

2.8.Critique

2.9.White swans, black swans

2.10.A three-stage model

2.11.Immune theories

2.12.The truth?

2.13.Research, an example

2.14.Conclusion

3. Research methodology and design

3.1.Against monomethodology

3.2.Making a plan for research

3.2.1.Step 1

3.2.2.Step 2

3.2.3.Step 3

3.2.4.Step 4

3.2.5.Step 5

3.3.Laying out your conceptual model

3.3.1.Step 6

3.4.A study of the literature

3.4.1.Make a plan

3.4.2.Look for sources

3.4.3.PsycINFO

3.4.4.Evaluation

4. Methods of data collection

4.1.Introduction

4.2.Observation research

4.2.1.Deciding on the type of observation research

4.2.2.Degree of researcher involvement

4.2.3.Reduce subject interactivity

4.2.4.How to avoid observer bias

4.3.Stages in the research

4.4.Think-aloud protocols

4.5.Diary

4.6.Interview

4.7.Focus groups

4.8.Experiment

4.9.Content analysis

4.10.Survey

4.10.1.Cross-section study

4.10.2.Panel study

4.10.3.Trend studies

4.10.4.Cohort studies

4.11.What is next?

4.12.Other sources

4.12.1.Observations

4.12.2.Electronic texts

4.12.3.Concordances

4.12.4.Analyzing qualitative research material

5. How to construct a questionnaire

5.1.Introduction

5.2.Levels of measurement

5.3.Types of questions

5.3.1.Checklist

5.3.2.Multiple choice

5.3.3.Graphic rating scale

5.3.4.Itemized rating scale

5.3.5.Rank-order rating scale

5.3.6.Constant-sum rating scale and fractionation rating scale

5.3.7.Likert scale

5.3.8.Semantic differential scales

5.4.How to formulate a question?

5.5.Questionnaire design

5.6.Instruction

5.7.Layout

5.8.Procedure

6. Experiment

6.1.Introduction

6.2.Independent and dependent variables

6.3.Designs

6.3.1.Between-subjects designs

6.3.2.Within-subjects designs

6.4.Building an experimental design

6.4.1.Extending on the classical experimental design

6.4.2.Doing the `next best thing'

6.5.Control groups

6.6.Estimating validity

6.6.1.Internal validity

6.6.2.External validity

7. How to enter and manipulate data in SPSS

7.1.Why use a computer program?

7.2.Start SPSS

7.3.Preparing the Variable View

7.4.Entering the data in Data View

7.5.Manipulating data

7.5.1.Compute: Making new variables based on your data

7.5.2.Recode: Changing the values of your variables

7.5.3.Select Cases: Doing analyses on a subset of your data

7.6.Closing SPSS

8. Descriptive statistics

8.1.Two measures of descriptive statistics

8.2.Measures of central tendency

8.3.Measures of dispersion

8.4.The normal distribution

8.5.Two distributions

8.6.Descriptive statistics with SPSS

8.7.Cronbach's α

8.8.Graphs

8.8.1.Bar charts

8.8.2.Line graph

8.8.3.Boxplots

8.9.Final words

9. Inference statistics: Preliminaries

9.1.Introduction

9.2.Errors

9.3.Region of rejection

9.4.Correlations

9.5.Regression analysis

9.6.Outlook

10. Inference statistics: Test Selection, t-test and non-parametric equivalents

10.1.Which test(s) to choose?

10.2.t-test

10.3.Wilcoxon test for paired samples

10.4.Mann-Whitney (`U-Test') for independent samples

10.5.The Kruskal-Wallis test

10.6.Non-parametric tests for related samples

10.7.Crosstabs

10.8.Overview

11. Inference statistics: ANOVA

11.1.Analysis of variance

11.2.General Linear Model

11.3.Repeated measures

11.4.Conclusion

12. Communicating results

12.1.Oral presentations

12.1.1.Submitting an abstract

12.1.2.Presenting yourself

12.1.3.Organizational aspects

12.1.4.Preparing a script

12.1.5.Speaking to an audience

12.1.6.Discussion time

12.1.7.Using media

12.2.Written presentations

12.2.1.Where to publish

12.2.2.Structuring your paper

12.2.2.1.Title page

12.2.2.2.Keywords

12.2.2.3.Abstract

12.2.2.4.Introduction

12.2.2.5.Method

12.2.2.6.Results

12.2.2.7.Discussion

12.2.3.Where to begin

12.2.4.Some stylistic reminders

12.2.4.1.Pronouns

12.2.4.2.Markers

12.2.4.3.Gender

12.2.4.4.Politeness

12.2.4.5.Tone

12.2.5.Sources and citing

12.2.5.1.Citing sources APA style

12.2.5.2.Citing sources MLA style

12.2.6.Some words of caution

12.2.7.Final checklist before submitting

12.2.8.Submitting your paper

12.3.Poster sessions

12.3.1.Preparations

12.3.2.Graphs, tables, illustrations

12.3.3.The text

12.3.4.Making the poster

12.4.Final words.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9789027233479

9789027233486

9786613572332

9781280394416

1280394412

9789027274670

9027274673

OCLC:

793996607