Pre Theme 3

Research and theory

Select a research journal that you believe is relevant for media technology research. The journal should be of high quality, with an “impact factor” of 1.0 or above. Write a short description of the journal and what kind of research it publishes.

The Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (JCMC) is a quarterly, peer-reviewed, web-based scholarly journal whose social science research focuses on computer-mediated communication, e.g. instant messaging, email, social networks. Currently it has an impact factor of 3.117 and ranks on position 2/72 (2014) in the field of Communication and on position 4/85 (2014) in the field of Information Science & Library Science. Since its year of foundation in 1995 by Wiley-Blackwell, the high profile journal has consistently published multidisciplinary research on, for instance, communication, business, sociology, media studies or information science.

Select a research paper that is of high quality and relevant for media technology research. The paper should have been published in a high quality journal, with an “impact factor” of 1.0 or above. Write a short summary of the paper and provide a critical examination of, for example, its aims, theoretical framing, research method, findings, analysis or implications. You can use some of the questions in Performing research article critiques as support for your critical examination.

The paper "The Extended iSelf: The Impact of iPhone Separation on Cognition, Emotion, and Physiology" is written by Russell B. Clayton, Glenn Leshner and Anthony Almond. The final manuscript was first published online on January 8, 2015 and appeared in the March Issue of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication in 2015 (Issue 2, Volume 20, Pages 119-135).

The study ultimately examines the effects of iPhone separation on self, cognition, anxiety, and physiology when the inability occurs to answer the ringing phone during a cognitive task. Assessing the growing physical and emotional attachments humans have been developing for cell phones, the researchers prove that the heart rate and blood pressure increases and the feeling of anxiety occurs when users - distanced from their ringing iPhone - perform word search puzzles.

To put the discussion in context, the researchers validated their logic and outline by discussing the framework of previous studies, which was of importance for their own assessment. More specifically, they looked into the psychosocial role of the smartphone (e.g. the function of comfort; fear of missing out), the Extended-Self Theory (mobile technologies becoming an extension of our physical selves), and the Embodied Motivated Cognition.

The researchers successfully constituted hypotheses and followed up with a detailed description of their method. With the employment of a 2 (cell phone: possession/separated and ringing) x 2 (time: possession/separation) repeated-measures experiment, the distinction was made between the possession or separation of the smartphone ringing while a questionnaire is being completed. It seemed important to the researchers that the experiment was not manipulated in any way and followed a strict logical method dependent on the predefined variables (e.g. cell phone extension, state anxiety, performance).

Assessing their procedure of the experiment, they were careful to check the materials and not to let the participants in with certain expectations. The outcome was therefore independent and not threatened by manipulation. Out of 208 recruited undergraduate students, 136 completed the first round of online questionnaire. Being able to specifically respond to the iPhone users, 41 of the given 117 were invited back for a second round of more detailed tests.

After analysing the data, the detailed discussion results in the achievement to prove most of the hypotheses right. For example, the inability to answer the ringing phone ultimately increases the heart rate and unpleasantness and led to a decline in cognitive performance. The blood pressure, as well, increases due to the iPhone separation.

Within the section of limitations, they consider also future research possibilities, which are also discussed more intensely in the conclusion of their findings and their advice on future advancements.

Briefly explain to a first year university student what theory is, and what theory is not.

Theory is trying to answer questions on why; in research, there should be a balance of a theoretical and an empirical side. In quantitive research the emphasis should be more on theory and conceptualizing ideas, while the qualitive research should focus more on empiricism. However, theories are neither references, data, diagrams, lists of variables or constructs, nor hypotheses.

Describe the major theory or theories that are used in your selected paper. Which theory type (see Table 2 in Gregor) can the theory or theories be characterized as?

The selected paper follows the theory type of Analysis and Description. After setting up hypothetical questions, specific effects on a group of participants and their relationship with a certain type of technology were closely analysed with the help of logical variables. Their approach to the subject was broadly explained by reviewing e.g. other study results to similar hypotheses. In terms of generalizability, it was advised to see the test results within perspective to the limited sample size.

Which are the benefits and limitations of using the selected theory or theories?

The paper definitely contributes to the field of research of computer-mediated communication in its interrelation of our social behaviour. Due to the analytical and descriptive approach, the reader understands the set up and the execution very clearly, especially the information to the related field studies are very interesting and are able to give you a perspective of what power technology has over you as a human being. It shows, however, just a tiny fragment of a social behaviour that might or might not be confirmed due to its mainly empirical approach.

Clayton, R., Leshner, G. and Almond, A., 2015. The Extended iSelf: The Impact of iPhone Separation on Cognition, Emotion, and Physiology. J Comput-Mediat Comm, Vol. 20, Nr. 2, p. 119-135.

Gregor, S., 2006. The Nature of Theory in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly, Vol. 30, Nr. 3, p. 611-642.

Sutton, R. I. & Staw, B. M., 1995. What Theory is Not. Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 40, Nr. 3, p. 371-384.