4.2 Data Analysis

We started class with questions about the midterm - and it sounds like you are all on the right track.  I emphasized that you should pay attention to the underlined sections of the prompt, and that while it was important to provide enough background(summary) of the study so that I can follow your line of discussion - the focus of your discussion should be on replying to the questions asked by the prompt.

Data analysis practice. Dr. Sutton provided an overview of data analysis methods.  We did some combined applications of the methods we have been reading about.  He presented basic quantitative concepts for assessing data distributions (mean, median & mode + distribution) and talked about when you would resort to which measure and why.  We than looked at coding/classification for his RNF project - and spent some time coding the answers to the writing major survey.  We noted that in each case circumstances that surrounded the study (the shift in classifcation categories for teh RNF study, the calls for papers associated with particular years at Cs, and so on) shaped data interpretation.

In generating categores for the writing major data, we noted approaches to name & classify big, umbrella categories, versus smaller, more particular categories.  E.g. = big = creative writing, particualar = dystopian writing.  Big categories and particular categories serve different purposes in naming and describing relationships within data.

The second half of class dealt with the readings from the oral history/live story/narrative analysis methods from last week.

Papers for the Hawisher et al essay, and the Ruecker essay are posted to the right.

For next week-
We will start with Marie and Jacqueline's presentations on Brandt.
Then we will do reaction papers to Matsuda (1999) 673;  Breuch, 97
There is no assignment for Mertens (except to ask questions about data analysis if you have them)

The second half of class will be spent workshopping your research proposals.  You should have some texts (at least 5 references) for your literature review.  If you do not have a clue what you should be reading - schedule a conference.
In class - you will give a brief presentation on where your proposal is so far + what you need to do = and you will get input from classmates to support you.