The hottest Research Methods Substack posts right now

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With few conservatives, academia will struggle to develop a theory of progressivism

The Path Not Taken • 462 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🚌 Education Research Methods
  1. Academia may struggle to develop a theory of progressivism if there are few conservatives involved.
  2. There is a lack of academic work on progressivism despite significant changes in left-wing ideology.
  3. The lack of conservatives in academia may hinder the growth of research on progressivism and lead to challenges in developing a comprehensive theory.

Mixtape Mailbag #8: Continuous Triple Differences

Scott's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Causal Inference Data Analysis Research Methods Econometrics
  1. Triple difference design can be used with continuous treatment by defining the parameters based on dosage levels.
  2. When treatment is continuous, the target parameter shifts from average treatment effect to average causal response function.
  3. Continuous treatments require careful definition of parameters to compare different dosages along a treatment curve.

Exploring Social Loafing in Human-Computer Teams

UX Psychology • 59 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🔬 Science Human-computer interaction Psychology Artificial Intelligence Research Methods Technology
  1. Social loafing in human-computer teams can lead to reduced human effort over time, even if participants report consistent effort and engagement.
  2. Humans may rely excessively on dependable robotic or AI teammates, potentially impairing human attentiveness and performance.
  3. Mitigating the effects of social loafing in human-computer teams can involve strategies such as establishing individual accountability, validating robot or AI performance, and designing robots/AI to provide motivation to human teammates.

Understanding the Hawthorne Effect in UX Research

UX Psychology • 138 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🕹 Technology UX Research Human behavior User Experience Research Methods
  1. The Hawthorne Effect is when individuals change their behavior because they know they are being observed, impacting various behaviors from dietary habits to research study results.
  2. Possible explanations for the Hawthorne Effect include people conforming to expectations when observed and feeling pressured to perform better.
  3. To mitigate the Hawthorne Effect in UX research, steps like using control groups, minimizing feedback during studies, focusing on cause-and-effect relationships, and creating judgment-free environments can help obtain more accurate data.

Triangulation in UX Research

UX Psychology • 238 implied HN points • 14 Jun 22
🕹 Technology UX Research Data Analysis Research Methods User Insights
  1. Triangulation in UX research involves using multiple research methods or data sources to study the same phenomenon, enhancing credibility and providing more robust insights.
  2. There are 4 main types of triangulation recognized in research: data triangulation, investigator triangulation, theory triangulation, and methodological triangulation.
  3. Using triangulation in user research can lead to more confidence in data, reveal unexpected findings, and help to understand a problem more clearly, although it may also increase chances of confirmation bias.

Demand Characteristics in UX Research

UX Psychology • 79 implied HN points • 11 Apr 22
🕹 Technology UX Research User Behavior Research Methods Psychology Ethics
  1. Participants in research studies often change their natural behavior to match what they think the researcher expects.
  2. Demand characteristics, the Hawthorne effect, and social desirability bias are related but have subtle differences in how they impact participant behavior.
  3. To mitigate the impact of demand characteristics in UX research, strategies like using a double-blind approach, being mindful of participant cues, recruiting diverse participants, and employing methodological triangulation can be effective.

The Intricate Beauty of Pecking Orders

Creating Inequality • 4 HN points • 14 Jun 23
🔬 Science Animal Behavior Social Dynamics Research Methods
  1. Pecking orders in animals might not be based on individual abilities but on dynamic interactions within a group.
  2. Linear pecking orders can arise from intricate behavioral dynamics rather than differences in individual qualities.
  3. Pecking orders are not stable and enduring, but rather constantly changing structures formed by ongoing aggressive interactions within a group.

When ‘can’t miss’ programs fail

Hypertext • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social programs Government funding Innovation Research Methods
  1. Experimentation and evaluation are crucial in discovering effective social solutions; funding should consider reinvestment in programs with null results for improvements.
  2. Interpreting null findings from programs is important; reasons for ineffectiveness could range from program inefficacy to delivery issues or changing environments.
  3. Being cautious in prioritizing 'evidence-based' programs is necessary; it may hinder innovation and obstruct the quest for better solutions.