The Role of Social Statistics in Communication Research
Author:
- Young Min Baek (Univ of Pennsylvania)
Perspectives on statistics and/or statistical methods vary greatly within the communication field. Despite the danger of over-simplification, the notions on statistics are summarized in two concepts: (1) neutral tool to test scientific propositions or (2) ideological tool to mask neutrality in so-called empirical/behavioral studies. What I will argue is that there is serious lack of self-reflection on the use of statistics and its meaning. Either side fails to understand how the statistical terms are born and proliferate. In the field, the metaphor of statistics is just a tool, either neutral or ideological, not historically constructed concepts, creative ideas or way of approaching the world.
