This week we discussed about theory and research. We
had to find a journal and a paper with high quality and related to media
technology field and discuss about them. Also we read the articles “The Nature of Theory in Information Systems” and “What Theory is Not” and
try to answer some questions.
My first thought about theme 3 was that it would be an easier one compared
to the others, but this was not the case. I found it difficult to define exactly
what the media technology field is containing, and as a result it was difficult
enough to pick a paper. At the seminar we discuss a bit about that since other
students faced the same difficulty.
At the lecture the professor explain to as what theory and research is
about. A detective could say that theory is a hypothesis, but we as scientists couldn’t
say that theory is a hypothesis; theory is about looking and seeing, seeing not only with our
eyes but with our mind. The word theory
is a Greek word that means looking and perceiving. A reason why humans construct
theory is because they want to make connections between phenomena. Research is done to confirm
facts, solve problems and define new, develop new theories and produce
knowledge. Scientific research is a systematic way of gathering data. Data
is never given to us in itself, we have to gather them. However, data are not
always objective since we choose which data to collect.
We also talked a bit about truth and paradigm. Truth is related to a state of knowledge that
is true and valid now. Once can say that truth is a prior knowledge and that
there is not a disciplinary on producing truths. Paradigm as I perceive it is a way of thinking. We
have old and new paradigms. A new paradigm can be a good one and replace an old
one or can be a weak one. For example,
quantum changed complete the way of thinking that we had before (Newtonian). Constant paradigm shifts also has happened on
Human Computers Interaction field, the last years. For instance we changed the way of thinking
from how fast the user is clicking to the aesthetics and the importance of the
whole experience of the user in front of the computer.
At the seminar we first discussed in smaller groups and the professor
joined for a few minutes each team to help us out. It end up, that our team and
another one had the same misunderstanding. We divided the theory in two
categories, scientific
theory and humanistic/philosophical theory. This was not correct because
theories are based on previous theories and we cannot separate, categorize them
or define clear limits between them.
In conclusion, theory is built on theory or in contrast to other theories. Theory
is about why something is happening, not what is happing, means that theory
explains. There are weak and strong theories. A way to clarify if a theory is
good could be to try to apply it in other context and see if the explanation makes
sense. Theory is our starting
point, we lead by it, and we build on it. Nothing starts from scratch.
Nothing
starts from scratch.
Hej,
ReplyDeleteYour research paper about the walking/sound experiment sounds really interesting! I think I'm actually going to follow up on it, I had not come across the journal in my research.
I also like that you not only discuss theory and truth, as most other people did, but also paradigms. We used the word in the seminar as if it was clear what it meant. But before discussing about theory, we also all thought we knew what that meant. So it's interesting to see that you define it as a way of thinking. Couldn't that also be a theory? Paradigms are also based on some research and facts as you name Newton and quantum physics as an example for paradigms.
Your eassay helped me have a better comprehension on "theory" and it is well-organized by stating what you've learned according to the time order,which is from Monday's lecture to the seminar.You also made it clear by quoting the meaning of Greek word "theory".From this,I understood the early meaning of theoty,which means seeing and perceiving.It is goodto expain with your own thoughts,like"Paradigm as I perceive it is a way of thinking".
ReplyDeleteHi, your well written reflection broadened my understanding about theory, especially I like the explanation why people construct theory. I like that you highlighted the importance of paradigms. I think it is very important to keep in mind that shifting of paradigms also changes theories. About the categorization of theories, I would not be so sure that it is not possible to distinguish theories into the groups, as it was mentioned during the lecture there are few types of theories and different requirements and standards are applied to for instance scientific and philosophical theory.
ReplyDeleteHi,I think you really have a good understanding of the lecture with the clear and structured brief of theory and research.Actually,theory is the explanation of these phenomena that we observe.Meantime,research is based on previous theories to gather the data for supporting new theories in some way.In the vein,theory and the research constitute their inner circle to enlarge our views and complete our knowledge system.Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi! Your essay helped me to understand "truth" and "paradigm" concepts. I didn't pay too much attention on this question during the lecture. I like your statement that scientific research is is a systematic way of gathering data. I think it's very clear and comprehensive definition. I also had a look on research paper that you've selected. The topic of survey is very interesting and actual. For me results of survey is quite predictable. Did the author make any hypothesis or the survey is based on analyzing data gathering from experiment with students?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, I had thought that the articles for theme 3 were going to be easier to read, but guess what, they were not at ll. Quite on the contrary, I found articles in theme 1 and 2 easier to follow. And like you mentioned, I guess everyone had similar problems with the readings. It is really interesting you even remember the entomology of theory. I also like you definition of theory when you say that it is “[a] reason why humans construct theory is because they want to make connections between phenomena.” Moreover, I also agree that there’s nothing as being pure objective. The mere fact that one chooses what to study could be a subjective choice.
It is interesting you brought up Paradigm and Truth. There’s one part about paradigm that I didn’t quite understand though. “A new paradigm can be a good one and replace an old one or can be a weak one.” You also mentioned Human Computers Interaction, it is interesting that you connected paradigm shift to what you studied, I am curious what the results were from the study you talk about. All in all, you have written a nice piece of text.
Hi~
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job by structuring the main knowledge talked in the lecture and discussion during seminar. I found an unique idea in you reflection that a reason why humans construct theory is because they want to make connections between phenomena. It is really an interesting statement. Nice job!
Good recap of the material from the week! It's concise and clear, but I'm missing a little about your own thoughts about it. I also thought it would be easier to read the texts this week, but like you found that was not true. Paradigms is an important concept that it is good you talked about, since it's easy to forget to mention.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteYou have written a good summary of this theme. Good job. I enjoyed your mentioning of paradigm. In physics we have great examples of paradigms (like your mentioning of the quantum)- how suddenly the world as we thought we knew it changes and our theories are not applicable to everything. This is very interesting since those "old" theories gave us knowledge. But I believe that knowledge is still relevant, we just have to think of it in a new way.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI have to say you really did a good job! You explain what theory and research is about, a detective could say that theory is a hypothesis, but we as scientists couldn’t say that theory is a hypothesis; theory is about looking and seeing, seeing not only with our eyes but with our mind. I think this view is right and helpful. And the reason why humans construct theory is because they want to make connections between phenomena. I also like your explain of data. Thanks a lot!