The hottest Methodology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

A Statistical Saga at a "Top" Journal

The Good Science Project • 122 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🔬 Science Research Statistics Publishing Peer Review Methodology
  1. Top scientific journals sometimes have trouble understanding basic statistics. This can lead to confusion and errors that affect research outcomes.
  2. A recent case showed that reviewing a paper could involve contradictory requests, like asking for a post-hoc power analysis, which is generally not helpful after results are already obtained.
  3. Researchers should not rely solely on journal editors for correct statistical advice. The system needs to improve how it addresses statistical issues in published studies.

"You Couldn't Replicate Our Study Because You're Ugly"

Cremieux Recueil • 416 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🔬 Science Research Methods Social Psychology Statistical Analysis Methodology
  1. Attractiveness studies may not be very reliable because their methods can be flawed. It's important to be careful about how these studies are designed and what they claim.
  2. Different studies use different ways to measure attractiveness, which can lead to confusion and mismatched results. It's not always clear which findings are valid.
  3. Racial preference in dating apps can be hard to measure correctly. Good research design is key, and many studies may not handle these issues well, leading to uncertain conclusions.

Perils of Flawed Meta-Analytic Methodology

The Shores of Academia • 39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🔬 Science Health Research Statistics Psychology Methodology
  1. Flawed meta-analysis can mix different studies that aren't similar, making it hard to draw clear conclusions about their effects on things like mental health.
  2. It’s important for researchers to look at specific impacts and not just assume that a random-effects model explains everything. Understanding the differences in outcomes can lead to better insights.
  3. Proper analysis in studies is really important, especially when people's health is at risk. Ignoring negative findings can mislead people about the safety of products like drugs.

The Costa Meno: Italy

Yolo Intel • 2417 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Accommodation Destination Cost Methodology Discovery
  1. The "Costa Meno" list features affordable, authentic, charming, and soulful places to stay in Italy near the coast.
  2. These accommodations offer a deeper connection to the location and owners compared to traditional 5-star hotels.
  3. The list includes accommodations under 300 euros a night, focusing on small hotels and rentals near the water.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Making Science More Reproducible

Briefly Bio • 158 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🔬 Science Research Methodology Documentation Innovation
  1. Reproducibility in science is a big issue, with many experiments failing to be duplicated. This creates a challenge for scientists trying to build on each other's work.
  2. Clear and detailed documentation of scientific processes is crucial. When scientists share their methods well, it helps others replicate results more easily.
  3. Using technology like structured documentation can improve transparency in research. This way, scientists can better understand what happened in an experiment and learn from it.

2.6.1 Newton’s Methods

Fields & Energy • 299 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Physics Philosophy Mathematics History Methodology
  1. Newton believed that geometry should be connected to real-world observations, rather than just logical deductions from axioms. He saw math as a tool to understand the physical world.
  2. He emphasized that we should always seek the simplest explanation for natural phenomena, following the principle of parsimony. If a simpler explanation fits the facts, it should be preferred.
  3. Newton argued that conclusions drawn from experiments should be regarded as generally true, even if new evidence could change our understanding later on. This highlights the importance of adapting our views as we gather more information.

What Are Survey Experiments For?

Never Met a Science • 33 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Science Public Opinion Research Methods Methodology
  1. Survey experiments help researchers understand how political choices are influenced by different factors. They combine theories from political science and public opinion to analyze voter behavior.
  2. The history of survey experiments shows a shift between theory and empirical data. Political science focused on testing theories with limited data, while public opinion research prioritized random sampling to gather accurate data about citizen views.
  3. Different academic traditions use survey experiments for different reasons. Understanding these differences can help avoid confusion and improve collaboration across fields.

2.7 Summary and Conclusions

Fields & Energy • 159 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Physics History Philosophy Methodology Empiricism
  1. Scientists should consider multiple models to explain natural phenomena and not cling to a single theory. Even if an old idea isn't widely accepted anymore, it could still hold value.
  2. Inductive reasoning, based on observations, and deductive reasoning, based on theories, are both vital in scientific discovery. They work together to help us understand the world better.
  3. Our understanding of science evolves over time, with new ideas replacing or revisiting old ones. It's essential to stay open-minded and not assume today's beliefs are the ultimate truth.

The World-as-History

The Oswald Spengler Project • 59 implied HN points • 15 May 24
💾 History Methodology Journal Research Translation
  1. The post discusses the translation of Spengler's works into English, particularly focusing on his intention for the academic journal 'The World as History' and the journal's editor Hans Erich Stier.
  2. The journal 'The World as History' aimed to publish historical research aligned with Spengler's distinct methodology.
  3. The post hints at a possible revolution in cartography, linking to further content on the subject.

Creating Inclusive AI: A Strengths-Based Approach to Accessible Design

UX Psychology • 138 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI User Research Frameworks Methodology
  1. Designing AI systems using a strengths-based approach can empower users across a wide array of abilities, rather than highlighting deficits.
  2. Key frameworks like Universal Design, Ability-Based Design, and Design for User Empowerment help create more accessible and empowering intelligent systems.
  3. Using qualitative research methods like co-design and long-term engagement can provide deeper insights into diverse user experiences, enhancing the design process.

The only path to transmit knowledge

Mon0’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Logic Ethics Methodology
  1. STEM fields believe knowledge should follow a clear path: define terms, state propositions, and verify them. It's all about structure and clarity.
  2. Philosophers often use complicated language, which can make their ideas hard to understand. This creates a gap between STEM and humanities, where definitions aren't always clear.
  3. Some writers may choose to be vague or complex to engage readers or seem profound. However, this can confuse people instead of helping them learn.

How many participants do you need for a usability study?

UX Psychology • 79 implied HN points • 02 Aug 22
🕹 Technology UX Research Methodology
  1. The number of participants in a usability study should be chosen based on factors like the impact of the study, complexity of the product, target user groups, and study's purpose. A range of 3-20 participants is generally valid, with 5-10 being a sensible baseline.
  2. Increasing the number of participants in a usability study can improve the reliability of findings. For example, using 10 participants can uncover 95% of the problems on average, while 15 participants can identify 97% of the issues.
  3. Choosing the right methodology and preventing facilitator errors are crucial in usability testing, as poor methodology can lead to invalid study results regardless of participant group size. Quality over quantity is key in ensuring effective usability testing.

The Blurred Line Between Methodology and Framework

Building Rome(s) • 13 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Methodology Framework Software Development Agile Project management
  1. The role of a Technical Program Manager (TPM) involves defining and implementing the methodology and framework for software development projects.
  2. Methodologies provide general principles while frameworks offer specific plans of action.
  3. It's important for TPMs to be flexible in choosing the right methodology and framework based on the project's specific needs and requirements.

Towards modern development of cloud applications

Engineering At Scale • 3 HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Development Architecture Performance Challenges Methodology
  1. Microservices offer advantages like scalability and fault-tolerance, but come with challenges like increased latency and management overhead.
  2. A proposed solution suggests writing monolith applications, leveraging runtime for deployments, and implementing atomic rollouts to address microservices challenges.
  3. By modularizing code into components, abstracting communication details, and managing deployment lifecycles, the solution aims to improve performance and reduce costs.

Khoa học

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 0 implied HN points • 10 Dec 13
🔬 Science Methodology Beliefs Empiricism
  1. Science relies on experimentation and observation to explain phenomena, and repetition is key.
  2. There are phenomena that science has not yet explained, showing the limits of human knowledge.
  3. It's important to differentiate between beliefs based on observable facts and those based on speculation, like the sixth sense, and to value scientific methods for their proven success in understanding and improving the world.