Johan Weinl
I think your interpretation on Russel's view on knowledge is interesting, mainly because it's approximately the same conclusion i got from his text. The question; "can real knowledge exist" feels both abstract and hard to grasp. It would be intriguing to hear what your take on the subject is? Do you agree with Russel, that true knowledge is impossible to achieve?
http://dm2572tmm-cim.blogspot.se/2013/11/seminar-1-russell.html?showComment=1384520840342#c5925180947836381604
I think you puts up an excellent point when comparing Russel to Descartes. Descartes quote "Cogito ergo sum", "I think, therefor I am", takes Russels arguments even further, which in my opinion is good. To think about the extreme will make the "normal" more understanding.
Reply to Torbjörn Axelsson
I think that the overall source criticism has become much better since that time, mainly because it's easier to get a broader spectrum of news sources. It's not only your morning paper that will tell their side of every news event, but millions of pages available online. One example is the witch hunts, which happened because people read about witches in a book and believed every word of it, do you believe that a similar scenario could happen today?
Reply to Torbjörn Axelsson
Interesting points, going back to your first question do I believe that we are "smarter" and more critical to sources today than back in the old days. Hence, people can believe lots of non-logic statements, but maybe not witchcraft in 2013. But with that said, I do agree with you, a which hunt scenario can happen today. When the USA entered Iraq for example, didn't they use a "witch hunt technique" when going after Hussein? Would they ever had started a war if Iraq didn't have a huge amount of oil?
Reply to Filip Erlandsson
Hello Filip, and thanks for your comment!
It was interesting to read your reflections, even though we did not reflect on exactly the same topics is it clear that we more or less thinks the same. The part about whatever the game the participants watched was live or not did not even cross my mind, and that is because I assumed that the participants had not seen it before. But after reading your concerns did it hit me, why did I do that assumption? Nothing is written about that. We should combined forces when reading academic papers in the future, and then the best end result will be achieved!
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Reply to Johan Weinl
Hey Johan!
A very good question! It is always hard to turn a technical paper towards more human aspects, and a risk of making it “fussy” as you stated exist. I do however believe that the best papers are the ones that mix those focuses. If only one focus has been archived does it still feel, in my opinion, like something is missing.
Cim Nordling
I think your opinions about physical programming are interesting, and I absolutely agree. Programming is not one of my favorite subjects here at KTH, but if the education had a more physical focus might my interest be different. Do you think physical programming will grow and eventually "take over" as first programming language from python here at KTH in the future?
Torbjörn Axelsson
Adam Rosén15 december 2013 21:19
Well written Mr Axelsson!
I couldn't help to notice your first article, the one from 2001, do you believe that the text about the blind and visually impaired still is applicable today, almost 15 years later? I just took a course and made some research about the subject, hence I find it really interesting!
I actually have another question - do you believe that much has happened during the past 15 years in terms of the selected methodology?
Gustav Boström
Really interesting written Gustav! The only thing I wonder about is how they defined "abandon" in your first paper "Adopt, adapt, abandon: Understanding why some young adults start, and then stop, using instant messaging”?
For me personally have I gone through those two first steps, but not 100 percent sure that I have gone through the last. Obviously have my behavior changed the last 10 years, but would I be someone who has abandoned instant messaging, if I'm only using facebook's chat function once and a wile?
Mårten Cederman
Hello Mårten! Well written above, of your writing was it particularly one meaning I enjoyed extra:
"From this paper I learned that both qualitative and quantitative research can in some cases be necessary to use in a combination to yield the most optimal result."
I absolutely agree with you, and only have a follow up question. You say that a combination of the two methods can be used to yield the most optimal results in some cases. In your opinion, isn't that always the case? Can't it always be better to conduct both methods when writing a paper?
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Katerina-Ioanna Kourti
Hey Katerina-Ioanna!
Interesting subjects indeed. Regarding your first paper concerning breast cancer, do I believe that the metrology "Narratives" can be really interesting. My first though is how this paper would be different if the authors conducted another method, one of the more "normal" ones. Do you believe that the results and conclusions would be "better" if that were to be the case?
Louise Huerlin
Adam Rosén16 december 2013 15:54
Hello miss Heurlin and thank you for a beautiful blog!
Well written above, I'm actually commenting here to get your expertise on a question regarding qualitative and quantitative methods. When starting here at KTH I thought that the only difference between the two methodologies was in the amount of participants. What do you believe concerning that? If a paper had 10 000 participants, is it really a qualitative method? Is that possible? The reason why I ask you is because your first paper presents a study with 61 young adults, is that a qualitative study?
Poya Tavakolian
Hello Poya!
An intriguing text indeed! I could not help noticing that your first paper included focus groups - a methodology that has grown in popularity, especially here at KTH and media technology. Why do you think that is the case? What is the brilliant idea of focus groups? What is it in the methodology that make many of the students here to chooses to include that method in their bachelor and/or master thesis?
Reply to Torbjörn Axelsson
Hey! Well I believe that the impact factor is of importance and you should of course always take all information under consideration (the more specific journals e.g. medial journals will usually get a higher impact number than the more broader ones). Unfortunately do I not believe that the professors will take the impact factor of a journal under consideration when grading, but nevertheless is it a good way for you to know that your sources are of high quality. Do your agree with my thoughts or do you have other reflections?
Cim Nordling
I absolutely agree with you, it would not feel as "academic" if all programming in Python was exchange to some kind of visual programming. I believe that Python is good, since it provides an understanding of how the world of computers is built. If only physical programming would exist on KTH, wouldn't the same amount understanding be provided. But it could be an excellent tool for "programming for dummies" for elementary school pupils.
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Ingrid Larsson
Adam Rosén18 december 2013 15:42I saw that you thought that 21 participants aren't enough to build good results on, I do however believe that if it's a qualitative study and they conduct interviews could that number be enough to produce good results. But since I haven't read the text can't I really comment properly. But when reading, you felt like they hadn't enough empirical data?
Oskar Andersson
http://dm2572oa.blogspot.se/2013/12/preparation-for-theme-6.html?showComment=1387410694221#c8417334582881672061Adam Rosén18 december 2013 15:51
Interesting first study there! I agree with you, it can absolutely be good to combined quantitative and qualitative methods. As I understand, the authors started with a quantitative method in form of a survey to et understanding of the subject, and to use the answers to build up a good qualitative method. Which way do you think is the best? A quantitative method first so the qualitative can be more deep, or the other way around? That the qualitative methods i.e. in form of interviews with experts can build up an extremely good survey.
Maria Strömbäck
http://mariastromback.blogspot.se/2013/12/theme-6-qualitative-and-case-study.html?showComment=1387411250441#c424296397100721005
Hola Maria!
Interesting to read your thoughts, and after going through your text do I only have one question. You say that the authors conducted the interviews in many different forms, my question to you is if that necessarily have to be bad? Of course will the end results be better if the authors could get everyone face-to-face, but do you think that the quality of the study would be better if they deleted every interview that wasn't face-to-face?
Interesting to read your thoughts, and after going through your text do I only have one question. You say that the authors conducted the interviews in many different forms, my question to you is if that necessarily have to be bad? Of course will the end results be better if the authors could get everyone face-to-face, but do you think that the quality of the study would be better if they deleted every interview that wasn't face-to-face?
Aron Janarv
Well written Aron!
As I understood your description of your first paper, was the selection of which persons to interview selected from the answers in the survey. My concern is that it could be very easy for the authors to manipulate the end results if they only choses persons who has answered "closest" to the results the authors wishes to find. Is that something that you believe could be a concern, or am I only a bit too paranoid here?
As I understood your description of your first paper, was the selection of which persons to interview selected from the answers in the survey. My concern is that it could be very easy for the authors to manipulate the end results if they only choses persons who has answered "closest" to the results the authors wishes to find. Is that something that you believe could be a concern, or am I only a bit too paranoid here?
NIcholas Ojala
Hey Nicholas!
Pretty cool first paper. Interesting that you say that it was good that the persons interviewed was given a chance to explain themselves with their own words. In my opinion is that the best method when dealing with sensitive subjects like this one. But shouldn't it be even better if the interviewed were unstructured, rather than semi-strucktured? Or even go one step further and chose a methodology like diaries or narratives?
Pretty cool first paper. Interesting that you say that it was good that the persons interviewed was given a chance to explain themselves with their own words. In my opinion is that the best method when dealing with sensitive subjects like this one. But shouldn't it be even better if the interviewed were unstructured, rather than semi-strucktured? Or even go one step further and chose a methodology like diaries or narratives?
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Marin Aldén
Hola Marit!
107 interviewed children (!), if that isn't impressive - nothing is! I'm just curious to how much valuable data they could actually could use from those interviewed. If every interview took 15 minutes as you state, the authors must have spent at least 27 hours in effective time on interviews. Do you believe that they got enough valuable data for the amount of time they spent? And can it really be defined as qualitative, not quantitative considering the time and amount of participants?
107 interviewed children (!), if that isn't impressive - nothing is! I'm just curious to how much valuable data they could actually could use from those interviewed. If every interview took 15 minutes as you state, the authors must have spent at least 27 hours in effective time on interviews. Do you believe that they got enough valuable data for the amount of time they spent? And can it really be defined as qualitative, not quantitative considering the time and amount of participants?
Julia Zabavina
Hello Julia!
I think I recognize your first paper there, but didn't chose it unfortunately. I actually have a question regarding the methodology of your fist paper, since I thing we share a common mistrust for content analyses, especially if it isn't done properly. In your own words, after reading the paper, how would you describe a well executed content analyses? And how is it different from a quantitative method, where a similar high amount of data often is available?
I think I recognize your first paper there, but didn't chose it unfortunately. I actually have a question regarding the methodology of your fist paper, since I thing we share a common mistrust for content analyses, especially if it isn't done properly. In your own words, after reading the paper, how would you describe a well executed content analyses? And how is it different from a quantitative method, where a similar high amount of data often is available?
Oscar Friberg
Adam Rosén19 december 2013 01:58Hey Oscar!
I found your second article to be very interesting, and I believe that the usage of media channels for politics is a sensitive subject. The was Sara Palin for example is portrayed in media can affect her whole election process, the line between winning and loosing can be extremely thin, and the difference between winning and loosing is huge. What was the key findings in the paper? Did the authors come up with a strategy how to handle these questions or what was the end result?
Andreas Sylvan
Hey Andreas!
Nice looking blog. I found your work with Eisenhardt's steps good, and it helps us readers to really divide the steps in to subheads. Do you really think it helps to use such steps to break down a case study, and if yes, do you think you will use it outside this course? I organized Eisenhardt's process steps a bit different, but did not actually feel like it help me to get a better understanding of the text.
Nice looking blog. I found your work with Eisenhardt's steps good, and it helps us readers to really divide the steps in to subheads. Do you really think it helps to use such steps to break down a case study, and if yes, do you think you will use it outside this course? I organized Eisenhardt's process steps a bit different, but did not actually feel like it help me to get a better understanding of the text.
Johan Storvald
Hello Johan!
Well written post, but I do however have some questions. You talk about the limitations of quantitative data, both because they only include one single university in one country and that they don't go deep enough in their research. This is valid concerns and I agree with you. But when is it satisfying to just have the quantitative data? Shouldn't all papers strive to get more depth?
Well written post, but I do however have some questions. You talk about the limitations of quantitative data, both because they only include one single university in one country and that they don't go deep enough in their research. This is valid concerns and I agree with you. But when is it satisfying to just have the quantitative data? Shouldn't all papers strive to get more depth?
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Leah Steffensen
Hey Leah!
I like your post, it feels like you have understood the whole concept of HCI. I agree with you on many arguments above, especially the importance of a prototype and how design research best can be communicated. To get the target group's views on a product through a prototype is vital if you want to make a successful product. In your opinion, when is the best time to first "test" a prototype on a target group and how well developed should the prototype be?
I like your post, it feels like you have understood the whole concept of HCI. I agree with you on many arguments above, especially the importance of a prototype and how design research best can be communicated. To get the target group's views on a product through a prototype is vital if you want to make a successful product. In your opinion, when is the best time to first "test" a prototype on a target group and how well developed should the prototype be?
Jenny Sillén
Hey Jenny, and well written!
I like your first study, and it would be interesting to read it myself. I just have some questions on how the selected 20 participants got selected for this assignment. I assume that they have a good technology habit since they are college students, but how is their relationships towards food and eating patterns? If they have no relationship to food, are overweight, have anorexia or are gourme chefs will have a huge impact on the end result. Even if the participants are selected randomly will that play a part in the results and should be something that the authors should have been taken under consideration.
I like your first study, and it would be interesting to read it myself. I just have some questions on how the selected 20 participants got selected for this assignment. I assume that they have a good technology habit since they are college students, but how is their relationships towards food and eating patterns? If they have no relationship to food, are overweight, have anorexia or are gourme chefs will have a huge impact on the end result. Even if the participants are selected randomly will that play a part in the results and should be something that the authors should have been taken under consideration.
Alexander Busnyuk
http://dm2572albus.blogspot.se/2013/11/theme-2-reflection.html?showComment=1387420458764#c2403259542633007534
The information overflow we live around today is huge, and I agree the "stupidification" makes us take in a lot of information that more or less could be considered as crap. But what is the alternative? That someone choses what kind of information we should be exposed to? We would fortunately be able to censor a lot of spam and redundant information, but to what price?
Deborah Lindberg
Hey Deborah!
Thank you for some good reading. I believe that the conducted methodology is one of the best ways of collecting qualitative empirical data, data that can be analyzed and discussed further down in an article. One thing I noticed in your text was that you stated that the authors conducted all interviews together. Do you believe that that can cause a problem, that the person interviewed can feel undermined if they are being interviewed by to many persons at the same time? This is something I usually take under consideration when I'm in a group project. Five persons should not, in my opinion, interview one single participant.
Thank you for some good reading. I believe that the conducted methodology is one of the best ways of collecting qualitative empirical data, data that can be analyzed and discussed further down in an article. One thing I noticed in your text was that you stated that the authors conducted all interviews together. Do you believe that that can cause a problem, that the person interviewed can feel undermined if they are being interviewed by to many persons at the same time? This is something I usually take under consideration when I'm in a group project. Five persons should not, in my opinion, interview one single participant.
Johannes Hörnfeldt
Hello Johannes!
Cool first paper, I be interesting to read an academic paper on a commercial online website, since many of the sights have a reputation of tricking customers on money. I juste thought about the fact that many of the interviewed may not be 100 per cent truthfully since it can be a sensitive subject for many. I can imagine that many people try to paint a better or worse picture of themselves then what actually is true. Is that something that the authors have taken under consideration or something that you believe to be a problem? Or is still interviews the best way of collecting valuable data in this case?
Cool first paper, I be interesting to read an academic paper on a commercial online website, since many of the sights have a reputation of tricking customers on money. I juste thought about the fact that many of the interviewed may not be 100 per cent truthfully since it can be a sensitive subject for many. I can imagine that many people try to paint a better or worse picture of themselves then what actually is true. Is that something that the authors have taken under consideration or something that you believe to be a problem? Or is still interviews the best way of collecting valuable data in this case?
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