Objectivity in social reasearch: Media consumption example
| Author | Affiliation |
|---|---|
Zuoza, Aurelijus Kazys |
| Date |
|---|
2012-05-05 |
The international multidisciplinary conference is a part of the research project MSM 0021620862 called "Teaching Profession in the Context of Changing Demands on Education".
Bibliogr.: p. 60-61
The aim of the article is to analyze the problem of the objectivity in social research by employing as an example a research study on media consumption. According to C.A.Moser and G. Katton, "social research is a systematized investigation to gain new knowledge about social phenomenon and problems". (C.Moser, G.Katton 1980) Social research may be also defined as "scientific undertaking which by means of logical and systematized techniques, aims to: discover new facts or verify and test old facts; analyze their sequences, interrelationships, and causal explanations which were derived within an appropriate theoretical frame of reference, and develop new scientific tools, concepts, and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid study of human behavior". (Young 1988:30). Is it feasible to carry out a research study of the social phenomenon of media consumption and if yes - how? What is the intention of research on media consumption - to explain the underlying reasons of negative health behaviour, epidemic of obesity, low levels of physical activity etc.? According to M.Siegrist et al. (2011:1), over the last twenty years, the great amount of time that children spend in front of television, computer, and video games has increased and serious negative health effects such as violent behaviour, substance abuse (alcohol, smoking), decreased school performance, poor body image and obesity have become more apparent. Television affects food consumption of children and displaces physical activity. Reducing media use has been shown to be an effective measure in preventing obesity and improving educational achievements. Moreover, incresed physical activity has been demonstrated to combine health benefits with reduced substance abuse. According to A.P.Hills (2009), the epidemic of obesity is impacting an increasing proportion of children, adolescents and adults with a common feature being low levels of physical activity. According to E.A.Vandewater et al. (2004),..