Social Science Practice Research Articles

A tutorial on using the paired t test for power calculations in repeated measures ANOVA with interactions.

The a priori calculation of statistical power has become common practice in behavioral and social sciences to calculate the necessary sample size for detecting an expected effect size with a certain probability (i.e., power). In multi-factorial repeated measures ANOVA, these calculations can sometimes be cumbersome, especially for higher-order interactions. For designs that only involve factors with two levels each, the paired t test can be used for power calculations, but some pitfalls need to be avoided. In this tutorial, we provide practical advice on how to express main and interaction effects in repeated measures ANOVA as single difference variables. In particular, we demonstrate how to calculate the effect size Cohen's d of this difference variable either based on means, variances, and covariances of conditions or by transforming [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] from the ANOVA framework into d. With the effect size correctly specified, we then show how to use the t test for sample size considerations by means of an empirical example. The relevant R code is provided in an online repository for all example calculations covered in this article.

The Nexus between Methods and Power in Sociological Research

This article develops an integrative perspective on the nexus between power and sociological research methods. By reflecting upon two of the most widely used methodological approaches in sociology – standardized survey research and qualitative interview research – we develop a comprehensive heuristic framework for examining the ways in which the use of sociological methods affects and intersects any social scientific practice: (1) the power effects that societies and institutional settings exert on methods and the use of methods, (2) power in the use and implementation of methods, and (3) the power effects that methods and the use of methods exert on societies and institutional settings.

Ego network analysis of the trophic structure of an island land bird through 300 years of climate change and invaders.

Ego net analysis is a well‐known practice in social sciences, where an ego net (EN) consists of a focal node, the ego, and its links to other nodes, called alters, and alter–alter links may also be included. An EN describes how a focal node is embedded in its interaction context. Here, I introduce EN analysis to ecology in a study of the trophic network of a sub‐Antarctic land bird, Lesser Sheathbill (Chionis minor). Data originate from the sheathbill population on Marion Island in the Southern Ocean. The bird is ego and its enemies and food are alters. The EN is organized along three dimensions: habitat, interaction type, and time (from before human arrival in 1803 and until a future year 2100). Ten EN descriptors are defined, estimated, and used to track the 300 years of change in sheathbill EN structure. Since 1803, the EN has passed two major, but reversible shifts—seal exploitation in the 19th century and presence of cats from 1949 to 1991. These shifts can be read as structural changes in the sheathbill EN. In the future, a third, perhaps irreversible change is predicted, driven by climate change and a surprising, recent shift to seabird predation by House Mouse, the most detrimental of all extant invaders on Marion. In a warmer and drier future, the mouse will proliferate, and if this forces seabirds to abandon the island, their accumulation of detritus runs dry, starving a rich invertebrate detritivore fauna, which also is a key food source to sheathbills. These detritivores together with plants have also constituted the main food sources of mice. The EN descriptors quantify that story. In the future, these events may lead to a collapse of the island ecosystem, including extinction of the sheathbill—unless plans for mouse eradication are implemented.

A call to expand disciplinary boundaries so that social scientific imagination and practice are central to quests for ‘responsible’ digital agri‐food innovation

AbstractThis editorial introduces a special issue (SI) concerning quests for responsible digital agri‐food innovation. We present our interpretations of the concepts of responsible innovation and digital agri‐food innovation and show why they can and have been productively interrelated with social science theories and methods. First, each of the articles in this SI is briefly introduced and synthesised around three themes: (1) the need for a critique of digital ‘solutionism’ in current interdisciplinary research, development and innovation settings; (2) that social science contributes value via the ideas it brings to life to challenge dominant power dynamics and (3) that social scientific imagination and practice is a valuable long‐term investment to both mitigate risk but also embrace socioenvironmental opportunities as we face ongoing sustainability crises into the future. Second, we identify future research considerations arising within the field, sitting at the intersection of social science and agricultural sociotechnical transitions. Our insights relate to challenges and opportunities to ‘do’ social science within the context of contemporary and nascent transitions such as increasing digitalisation. Researchers trained in social science theory and practice can make distinctive contributions to agri‐food innovation processes by making social stakes visible and by advancing inclusive processes of research policy and technology design.

ETHICS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH: DEVELOPING DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE PRACTICES

Contextualizing knowledge has served to enhance our understanding of human progress. Several academicians and scholars have worked indigenously towards the ‘Think Locally and Act Globally’ mantra to normative approaches across academic disciplines. Recent academic progress led us to think, reflect and question the need for developing a protocol for culturally sensitive ethical practices in Social Sciences. This paper emerges from the deliberations held in a two-day National Symposium on Ethics in Social Science Research and Publication organized and hosted by the department of Human Development and Childhood Studies, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi. The paper explores the need for a discipline specific outline of ethical practices in research and debates the requirement for a protocol for the same. Drawing from various examples and dilemmas shared by social science experts, an array of missing links, gaps and epistemic variations are presented through the paper

Editorial:Narrative‐BasedApproaches in Psychological Research and Practice

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Sensoria: An exploratory interdisciplinary framework for researching multimodal &amp; sensory experiences

This paper describes the development and salience of an original and innovative interdisciplinary approach, Sensoria, that combines methods and techniques from social science and performance to address the methodological challenges of researching sensory/multimodal experiences. It sets out the core components and methodological principles that underpin the approach and uses an illustrative example to show how it can facilitate research on hard to access sensorial experiences, to access, understand and analyse people’s experiences and perspectives of touch, a highly tacit sensory mode. The paper discusses the methodological contribution and challenges of this approach to sensory research for social science and artistic practice and ‘more-than-representational’ research more generally. It concludes by making a case for more critical research spaces at the intersection of these disciplines to foster multi-dimensional research dialogues and to advance the exploration and understanding of the relationship between the sensory, social and the digital.

Six attachment discourses: convergence, divergence and relay

ABSTRACT Attachment concepts are used in diverging ways, which has caused confusion in communication among researchers, among practitioners, and between researchers and practitioners, and hinders their potential for collaboration. In this essay we explore how attachment concepts may vary in meaning across six different domains: popular discourses, developmental science, social psychological science, psychiatric diagnosis, psychotherapy, and child welfare practice. We attempt to typify these forms of attachment discourse by highlighting points of convergence, divergence, and relay between the different domains. Our general conclusions are that diversity in the use of attachment concepts across different domains of application has been largely unrecognised, and that recognition of these differences would reduce confusion, help identify sites where infrastructure needs to be developed to support coordination, and strengthen opportunities for collaboration to mutual benefit. We suggest that academic attachment discourse would benefit from clarification of core terminology, including: “attachment”, “internal working model”, “trauma”, and “dysregulation”.

The importance of empiricry as the basis for explaining, forecasting and practice in social sciences

The considerations presented in the article are to be an impulse to reflect on the foundations on which modern scientific discoveries are based. The aim of the analysis is to present a number of doubts as to the accuracy and perfection of contemporary research results in social sciences, in particular in the discipline of political science. In social reality there are still many limitations both on the part of the human being as the subject examining reality and the imperfections of the tools he uses. The article discusses attitudes towards scientific dispute consisting in the clash of the scientific paradigm based on empiricism and positivism with postmodern interpretivism within the hermeneutic paradigm will soon end.

The manner of use, the uses and sub-uses of terms in social sciences: from the functional approach to natural language to applied semiotics and the philosophy of science

Abstract The functional approach to natural language (FANL) emerged in the late 1960s. It focused on the use and the sub-use of language expressions, taking into account role of the language context and the extra-linguistic situation of a given statements. This approach referred, both conceptually and methodologically, to the tradition of British analytical philosophy of language on the one hand, and to the achievements of the Lvov-Warsaw School on the other. It seems that despite the passage of more than half a century since its inception, this approach has lost nothing of its relevance and its cognitive value, and may even provide inspiration for the exploration new research areas concerning the formulation of language utterances. The aim of this article is to show the potential applications of the FANL as a specific semiotic concept in the field of the philosophy of social sciences. The paper points out how the functional conception can be successfully used in methodological analyses of the logical methodology of social sciences. The case studies presented in the article refer to the research practice of social sciences. Examples of the use and sub-uses of terms are discussed in the light of the polyparadigmatic structure of social sciences and the differences in research patterns accepted by given scientific collectives.

The utilization distribution: wildlife research methods as a tool for understanding visitor use in remote parks and protected areas

ABSTRACT In remote parks and other protected areas, estimates of visitor use levels and distributions are often limited in accuracy and feasibility. Visitors to these areas may not see any staff during their visit or even know the locations they visited. As a result, visitor use management efforts often require information from other sources, including annual reports submitted by Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit holders. We used a case study approach at Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves to demonstrate the potential of a common wildlife analysis method for understanding visitor use in parks and protected areas: the utilization distribution. Utilization distributions are used for defining the home range, or primary area of use, for an individual or population. This novel research provides an example of the benefits of incorporating wildlife methods into social science practices to better manage parks and other protected areas.

New digital methods in a polluted information landscape

Fake news, or what is now more accurately termed information disorder, is an increasing problem. However, the ‘infodemic on the pandemic’ also highlights a related issue: the problem of fraudulent science and its amplification through social media and questionable scientific publishing practices, particularly deceptive or predatory publishing. This paper reports how insights gleaned from a critical digital pedagogy, and new work on the verification of sources, can help students and early career researchers navigate the ‘polluted’ information landscape that has become a ubiquitous feature of our online world. As embodied in the module ‘Critical Thinking in an Age of Fake News and False Accounting’ which is part of the University of Liverpool’s International Summer School, it shows how commonplace and easily accessible ’Open Source Intelligence Techniques’ (OSINT) like reverse image searching and geolocation can be used to develop a more critical perspective on what constitutes reliable sources of information. The research seeks to establish the degree of awareness students have of these techniques and whether they use them in their academic life. It thus contributes to existing initiatives on academic integrity and the digital goals embodied in new curriculum developments. The paper also asks deeper, more speculative questions about the strategic amplification of disinformation and its relationship to Miltonian ‘market place of ideas’ conceptions surrounding knowledge and understanding.

Development and Expansion in the Marine Social Sciences: Insights from the Global Community

Increasing recognition of the human dimensions of climate change, pollution, exploitation, and other threats to the marine environment has resulted in an expansion of marine social science research in recent years. The importance of understanding the complexities of societal relationships with our global ocean, seas and coasts, and how this might influence sustainable management and effective and equitable governance, will be crucial to address the challenges facing our marine systems. Given their growing importance, this paper seeks to undertake a global assessment of the current status and trends in marine social science research and outline the next steps and key directions for the field. Specifically, by adapting established horizon scanning methods, we conduct a survey of the global marine social science research and practitioner community. We find that current research within the marine social sciences is broad, and focused on themes relating to (but not limited to) governance and decision-making, stakeholder participation and engagement, the socio-cultural dimensions of marine systems, ocean literacy, community-based and area-specific management, and the blue economy. We also identify priorities for future research, for example, relating to aspects of social justice, welfare and equity in relation to the use and governance of marine systems, blue growth and the expansion of marine industries, and enhancing ocean literacy to build ocean stewardship and citizenship. Our results, however, suggest several barriers that may prevent the extent to which the marine social sciences can continue to expand and develop in these directions. Barriers include, but are not limited to, the relationship between marine social sciences and other disciplines (i.e. lack of acceptance of marine social science as a legitimate discipline) and the visibility and recognition of marine social science both internal and external to academia (e.g. by policy-makers and practitioners). Finally, we identify a series of enablers for overcoming the barriers identified (e.g. promoting marine social sciences, engaging stakeholders and enlisting champions and building interdisciplinary teams). In doing so, this paper generates prospective thinking and highlights recommendations for effective marine social science research and practice, as well as the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration into the future.

Management – between economy, polity, and ethics

Purpose: The author of this text shares the opinion (expressed by quite a number of social researches) that the practical impact of social sciences on social practice, and particularly – on mankind’s responding to the global challenges, is not satisfying. Enhancement of this influence can be viewed as one of these challenges. An analysis of the causes of the situation characterized above is required to achieve this goal. Such an analysis is outlined in this text and some its tentative practical implications are indicated. In other words, it could be said that the goal of this paper is to contribute to the debate on the current state of the management studies and management education. Design/methodology/approach: This text belongs to the area where meet the philosophy of social sciences and their history. Thus, this text is based on historical description and on analysis of the described processes. Logical analysis connected with explication of axiological (ethical) assumptions allows to formulate some practical suggestions as to the further development of management studies and the (academic) education of the future managers. Findings: The role of the emerging interdisciplinary theory of collective action – as basis for both research and academic education in practically oriented social sciences – has been exposed and justified in this text. Research limitations/implications: Further historical and analytical studies seem to be necessary. Practical implications: Some changes in the organization (defining research problems, methodologies etc.) of the research practice of social sciences in general, and of management studies in particular, as well as changes in studies programs might be planned and accepted if arguments presented in this paper are at least partly convincing. Social implications: The text, suggesting and inspiring some changes in the education of managers, might also have some indirect impact on the quality of politics, self-government, or civil-society organization. Originality/value: The paper contains an idea of management studies as an interdisciplinary science connecting elements of traditional management theory with sociology, political sciences and economics. The idea, and also its justification, seems to be rather new. The paper is addressed to the representatives of various social sciences interested in interdisciplinary cooperation

Research on the Construction of Cross-border E-commerce Talent Training System

In the second half of 2016, the author of this article signed "Introduction to Cross-border E-commerce", "Comprehensive Training and Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Cross-border E-commerce", "Cross-border E-commerce Single Window Practice", and "Cross-border E-commerce Law" wtih China Machine Press. The author of this article signed "Introduction to Cross-border E-commerce" (Higher Vocational Edition) book publishing contract with the People’s Posts and Telecommunications Publishing House. Due to limited conditions, the author has not yet completed the manuscript. Now, the relevant content of the first chapter of the book "Introduction to Cross-border E-commerce" is briefly processed and published in "Social Science Theory and Practice". Unless otherwise stated, the information in this article is as of December 2016. Starting from the connotation and characteristics of cross-border e-commerce, this paper analyzes the current situation, development stage and driving force of cross-border e-commerce, and innovates the cross-border e-commerce talent training system.

Methodological Aspects of Pedagogy’s Two-Discipline Location

The area of pedagogy research penetration is situated in the disciplines of social sciences and humanities. The answer to the question what methodological consequences this brings to the practice of pedagogy favours the broadening of the ethodological awareness of pedagogues. The author adopts a conventional starting point, established by W. Dilthey’s statement that some sciences explain the world and other understand it, in which the research practice of social sciences, which adapted the method of natural sciences, was diametrically different from the research in the humanities. This difference is expressed, among other things, in the different treatment of the method, as well as the different position of the researcher in the research process. Nowadays the methodology of social sciences is internally diverse. There is a current within it, referred to as qualitative research, in which the influence of achievements in the field of humanities is clearly visible, and which becomes a source of premises for the recognition of reality in empirical cognition.

Beyond evidence: Anticipatory regimes in law

AbstractThis article lays the groundwork for a new approach to understanding how law engages with the future, based on the social science theory and practice of anticipation. Anticipation, as depicted by an extensive interdisciplinary literature, encourages a shift in attention from the future as a matter solely of probability and effect, to the future as a wider array of possibilities operating on the present. Notably absent from this literature is law. This article offers a framework for analyzing how law mobilizes future possibilities to serve present regulatory purposes, focusing in particular on the role of legal horizons, forms and affect.

Repeatedly Measuring Political Interest: Can we Reduce Respondent’ Recall Ability and Memory Effects in Surveys Using Memory Interference Tasks?

Abstract It is common practice in behavioral and social sciences to repeat questions, such as in pretest–posttest designs. However, if respondents recall their first answer to a repeated question and use it to decide their second answer, this may cause memory effects, affecting empirical findings. So far, only a few studies have investigated respondents’ recall ability and memory effects in surveys. Thus, we conducted an experiment in a probability-based online panel (N = 4,681) where we repeatedly asked a question on political interest. Our results reveal that respondents’ recall ability is high and was not reduced by the implementation of memory interference tasks. Memory effects, in contrast, were low (about 7%). They were also not reduced by memory interference tasks.

Theorizing Style (In Three Sketches)

Style is often saddled to a process of attribution and authorship, where it is deployed to qualify and distinguish between particular genres. Within art and design, these tend to be institutionally coded, such as “Bauhaus” style, or chronologically restricted, as with “Art Deco.” In this paper, I sketch out three ways in which style can be theorized as a transformative force, and not simply a referential schema. The three sketches introduce an understanding of style developed in the philosophical writings of Gilles Deleuze and Anne Sauvagnargues and the design practice of the Russian-French Avant Garde artist Sonia Delaunay. Through them, I develop a specific reading of style as a practice rather than as a genre that characterizes a brand or individual. By understanding style as practice, I seek to foreground an expressive capacity of style that is altogether asignifying, impersonal and transversal, as an injunction for rethinking the style of social-scientific research practice.

Editor’s Introduction

The presented volume includes articles by authors from Czech, India, Greece, Sweden and Poland. They provide us with different aspects of social pedagogy and social issues in relation to education, law and social work. These are analytical and empirical papers conducted with a wide range of methodologies, for example, research based on surveys, legal acts analysis, ethnographic fieldwork and case studies. While discussing the issues, the authors represent the specific social and cultural backgrounds at the same time being aware of global contexts. What connects all these papers is the attitude of their authors, their pedagogical sensitivity and critical awareness in reflecting on theory and practice of social sciences. We have been collecting these articles since the beginning of 2019. With these six contributions, the Readers are offered an insight into the current state of discussion on particular topics from different perspectives. I hope you enjoy a read.