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* (Regarding Chapter 13), which of the research methods 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 had written this post already when I saw that you changed the questions for this week, Carol. So I decided to post it anyway. I am not expecting any response to this particular posting, though. I know everyone is super busy! :-)
Among all research methods listed in Table 13.3 – page 374 of the textbook, the most interesting to me is Ethnography. I consider this method the most interesting due to the fact that the researcher becomes apart of the group he or she is studying. Also, the fact that the researcher does not impose his or her own assumptions and the conclusions emerge naturally is something fascinating to me.
If, for instance, I was going to study some aspect of deception, let’s say, how some romantic partners deceive each other, my research question would probably be: “what are the communication patterns of romantic partners who deceive each other?” Although it would not be easy to obtain true information from romantic partners who cheat on the other party, I wonder that I would go to places where couples usually go, such as clubs, and I would observe how romantic partners behave when they are accompanied by his or her other half, as well as how they behave when they go to the club without the other half.
I imagine that talking to people in public places would be another interesting way to obtain data for my ethnographic study.
Ibirapuera
* What was it about this class that you liked? What do you think needs improvement?
I simply loved the assignments for this online class! They were challenging, and they made me think of how theory and practice can go together. I usually have a hard time to see theoretical applications in practical life, but the assignments, postings, and comments for the COMM 105P class helped me to see both combined. To me, this was fascinating! :-)
In my opinion, it would not be fair if I did not mention how amazed I am with Carol’s responsiveness in regarding to anything related to the COMM 105P class. She was quick and assertive on responding every single inquiry I had throughout the semester. Honestly, I never had had any experience like that over the course of my almost 18 years in school. Neither professors from in-person classes nor online classes I have ever had were as responsive as Carol. Keep up with the good job, Carol! :-)
I wish Carol had posted at least one posting for each chapter of the textbook. She shared some insights with us, but not for all chapters of the book. I really enjoyed knowing which her favorite topics were, as well as her experiences teaching communication.
I hated the furloughs! I hated the furloughs!! I hated the furloughs!!!!
(:
Ibirapuera
* Pick one other concept from the book that you feel needs further discussion?
I remember that one of us asked, in August 09, “if commenting back on someone who had left a comment on one’s blog counted as credit.” I thought I was interesting how Carol answered this question: “In short, no. You will only get credit for your three posts and three comments on other people's blogs. However, when someone asks you a question face to face, do you ignore them or give them the courtesy of an answer?” Carol’s answer struck with me, because I could not stop thinking that many people do not like online classes because they feel as though not everyone takes online classes seriously.
One of the reasons why some people believe that online classes is a waste of time and money is because they have the perception that some students are not responsive, for instance. Given the importance of getting back to people in a quick and respectful way in a virtual environment, I think this concept deserved further discussion in Trenholm’s book.
Ibirapuera
* What concept/s in this class have you found most interesting? What was it about that concept/s that you found interesting?
The concepts in the COMM 105P class that I found most interesting were interpersonal and intercultural communication. On the one hand, interpersonal communication fascinated me because it made the think about its unique characteristics. Trenholm (2008) explains that “none of us can avoid interpersonal communication; our survival as social beings depends in large part on our interpersonal communication skills” (p. 140). Interpersonal communication is the only type of communication that people perform on a daily basis – either they want or not, voluntarily or involuntarily.
On the other hand, intercultural communication fascinated me because it made me think of how attentive I must be when I refer to people from other nationalities. The examples provided in chapter 12 of the textbook provided examples that went beyond the surface, when it comes to intercultural encounters. The example listed on pages 341 and 342 of the textbook, for instance, was adequate to explain that “in cross-cultural settings, even simple interactions can become complex.” Assuming that norms are the same across cultures is one of the serious mistakes one can make.
Ibirapuera
* Pick one concept from the assigned reading, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
I was so excited when I read the passage ‘dog bites man’ is not news, but ‘man bites dog’ is (Trenholm, 2008, p. 312). This was actually one of the most simple and true things I learned in my undergraduate in Journalism in Brazil. Nevertheless, as exciting as it is to imagine how fantastic would be to report that ‘a man bit a dog,’ this is not what we see in the news today. I am not sure if I feel this way due to my strong sense of criticism. I simply cannot label everything as 'interesting.' In my view, many journalists do not do a good job just because they tend to report the same 'old news' over and over again.
As a journalist, I understand that it is not merely about what the journalist wants to show. Actually, it is 95% about following the ideology of the television channel one works for. But it feels like some journalists lost their investigative gift along the way, and set the simple goal of reporting what other television channels are reporting. Again, I know that when it comes to keeping a job, specially having a family to raise, some journalists would not think twice between reporting that ‘a dog bit a man’ by 1000 times rather than the other way around, ‘a man finally bit a dog.’
Ibirapuera
* Do you agree with Marshall McLuhan that the medium is the message, i.e. that the format or logic of a medium is as important as its content and, in fact, determines what content will be broadcast through that channel? Evaluate his idea that television is a cool medium.
I absolutely agree with MacLuhan that the medium is the message, that the format of a given medium is as important as its content. The idea that television is a cool medium is true if its content matches the expectations of those who are watching it. Trenholm (2008) notes that “the idea that form is as important as content in affecting audience responses” (p. 308). As an illustration, the History Channel conveys its ideologies by showing content related to History. If all of a sudden the History Channel folks decided to show sports, this medium would loose its identity, and it would not appeal to History lovers anymore. If ESPN decided to show information related to babies, such as TLC does, ESPN would not be the perfect medium for sports’ lovers anymore. Although I do not have time to watch TV as much as I would like, I consider television a cool medium because of its ability to capture viewers’ attention, regardless of so many other things that might be going on at the same physical environment. The audio and visual characteristics of television indeed make television one of the most dynamic medium.
Ibirapuera
* Have you made friendships that exist exclusively in cyberspace? If so, how are they different from f2f relationships? If you have not formed cyber relationships, why not?
I would not name it as friendship, but I know someone solely through the cyberspace. I never met this one lady in person. She owns a translation website. Because I love translations, once in a while I visit her website. We actually almost met in person in one weekend she visited the Bay Area. But at the last minute she could not make it, and until today we have not met each other in person. In this particular case, this lady and I have a common professional interest. Trenholm (2008) mentions that “the Internet offers us news and information” (p. 326). Also, in addition to visiting her website, we also exchange emails to keep ourselves updated on the latest news about translation.
I would say that cyberspace friendship is different from face to face friendship mainly because of the lack of nonverbal. But nowadays, with the webcams, nonverbal expressions can not be hidden anymore. I love technology, but when it comes to friendship, maybe I am still old school, but I still prefer in-person friendship rather than cyberspace friendship.
Ibirapuera
