Week Three

In the Luker and Knight texts, the comparison between journalism and social science research was made. I find it very interesting that this comparison is even discussed, as it seems to cheapen sociological research. Social science research is by no means new-- the systematic study of society has been performed for hundreds of years. Why are we still justifying its presence?

I feel that social scientists should forgo these claims and justifications, for if we as social scientists don't deem our own field as legitimate, how is anyone else to?

I understand that there is 'bad' social science research out there, and additionally know that we are all in a way 'social scientists'. Is this perhaps the reason we need to justify our claims and research?

Tamara

Week One

In class today, a question was posed regarding our upcoming research proposals, and what we were all planning to do. I had mentioned that I wanted to look into user-centered design - specifically design elements that make websites successful. I too am wondering what everyone else was thinking of doing.

- Tamara