W17_B3

Regarding Chapter 13: Which of the research models listed in Table 13.3 seem the most interesting? Assume you want to study some aspect of deception. Frame a research question. Which method would you choose to answer the question? Why?

I think the research method of Ethnography is the most interesting, due to the fact that when one goes undercover, the conclusions will evolve around what s/he observes naturally. As Sarah Trenholm argued, “The researcher observes behavior in its natural setting…the researcher may ‘go undercover’…avoids imposing his/her own values and assumptions on the data…Instead of testing an existing hypothesis, s/he allows conclusions to emerge from observations” [Trenholm 2008, pg. 374]. If I were to study some aspect of deception, the research question I would ask would be, “What percentage of men vs. women engages in extramarital relationships?” I would use the “Content Analysis” method to answer this question, because I feel the results would give me the content and relating frequencies of variable outside the text. Finally, this would allow me to receive the most accurate outcome.

W17_B2

Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.

The one concept I found interesting was “New Media.” Sarah Trenholm argues, “ New media employ digital technology…it means it is now relatively easy to combine words, images, and sound in a single format…digitization messages are converted into computer-readable electrical signals (or bits) that can be quickly, processed, efficiently stored, and cheaply transmitted” (Trenholm 2008. pg. 322). I am known at work, as the most “high tech person.” I have the latest and the greatest…from a Blackberry, to iPhone, to iPod Touch, etc. These “stuff” make my life easier. For example, I am amazed how I can communicate via my Blackberry with someone in Paris or Hong Kong or even Dubai. Now, it may not be in real time, but I can receive an answer by the next morning. In addition, I love my iPhone as I can make a phone call, listen to my music while I am at the airport waiting for a flight, or use the GPS system when I am in need of directions all from one piece of equipment.

W17_B1

What concept/s in this class have you found most interesting? What was it about that concept/s that you found interesting?

I found the “Agenda Setting” concept most interesting, because of how the media is in control over what they want us to know about the news around us. According to Sarah Trenholm, “Media ‘gatekeepers’ select the issues they feel are most worthy coverage and give those issues wide attention. Receivers accept the ‘gatekeepers’ agenda without realizing that, somewhere along the line, an editor or producer is making choices about what to cover and what to ignore” (Trenholm 2008. pg. 304). After reading about this, I feel like the receivers have to scrutinize everything they hear on the news, read in the newspapers, and everything they see in the entertainment world. I know I for one, will make sure I am receiving my information from credible sources, by researching the names of the sources and what they are trying to promote, whether it is about such topics as health issues, finances, fashion, or news. Nothing can be taken for granted we are being exposed to the truth.