The use of electronic books (eBooks) in social science research
description
Transcript of The use of electronic books (eBooks) in social science research
The use of electronic books (eBooks) in social science research
Richard Parker*Danius Michaelides†
Huanji Yang†Alex Frazer†Luc Moreau†
Camille Szmaragd*ZhengZheng Zhang*
Christopher Charlton*William Browne*
*Centre for Multilevel Modelling,University of Bristol, UK
†School of Electronics & Computer Science,University of Southampton, UK
Template
Dataset
Stat-JR: to re-cap…
Stat-JR writes commands, etc.,
to perform requested function
Template
Dataset
Stat-JR prompts user
for input Function performed
(If applicable) external software
opened, run, then closed, with results returned to Stat-JR. E.g…
Results of function
produced
(If applicable) results outputted as dataset to be fed back in…
myModel<- glm(normexam~Summary(myModel)plot(myModel,1) Select Open Worksheet
Select datafile.dtaSelect Equations from Fi
EquationsMacrosScripts Point & click instructions
ResultsModel:DIC: 9766.506Parameters:Beta1: 0.594
ChartsResults tables
Stat-JR’s eBook interface: DEEP
Documents withEmbeddedExecution andProvenance
Embeds Stat-JR’s statistical functionality within a ‘traditional’ notebook…
…so we first import one…
No eBooks loaded yet…
Navigate through pages of eBook
Hierarchical table of contents (can be expanded / collapsed at each node)
Behind the scenes…
• The eBook author (me) has specified which Stat-JR template to associate with this region of the eBook…
• …and has chosen one which creates plots via (“PlotsViaR”).
• Templates require input, from a user, before they can go ahead & perform the function appropriately…
• …the eBook author can pre-specify inputs (by writing them into the eBook code); any that are not pre-specified are then left to the eBook reader to complete.
Stat-JR writes commands, etc.,
to perform requested function
Template
Dataset
Stat-JR prompts user
for input Function performed
(If applicable) external software
opened, run, then closed, with results returned to
Stat-JR.
Results of function
produced
(If applicable) results outputted as dataset to be fed back in…
myModel<- glm(normexam~Summary(myModel)plot(myModel,1) Select Open Worksheet
Select datafile.dtaSelect Equations from Fi
EquationsMacrosScripts Point & click instructions
ResultsModel:DIC: 9766.506Parameters:Beta1: 0.594
ChartsResults tables
Stat-JR: to re-cap…
Behind the scenes…
• …the eBook author has associated relevant model-fitting Stat-JR templates with this region of the eBook…
• …and has pre-specified all of the inputs, bar the explanatory variables, which are therefore the only ones left to eBook reader to specify.
• Author has also specified what / where / when the output resulting from a template’s execution will be presented in the eBook…
Stat-JR writes commands, etc.,
to perform requested function
Template
Dataset
Stat-JR prompts user
for input Function performed
(If applicable) external software
opened, run, then closed, with results returned to
Stat-JR.
Results of function
produced
(If applicable) results outputted as dataset to be fed back in…
myModel<- glm(normexam~Summary(myModel)plot(myModel,1) Select Open Worksheet
Select datafile.dtaSelect Equations from Fi
EquationsMacrosScripts Point & click instructions
ResultsModel:DIC: 9766.506Parameters:Beta1: 0.594
ChartsResults tables
Stat-JR: to re-cap…
Content of text returned is conditional on value of results
Stat-JR’s DEEP system:Summary of features
• Built on Stat-JR’s powerful & flexible data-analytical engine.
• Embeds inputs and outputs of Stat-JR’s executable statistical functions within contextual information.
• Tailoring & specificity: e.g. associating carefully-chosen templates; pre-specifying inputs.
• Log / recording tool: behind-the-scenes, a comprehensive record is kept of each execution.
Stat-JR’s DEEP system:
• Teaching of quantitative social science research methods (including inter-operating software).
• Communicating principles / theories / inviting exploration of quantitative social science topics.
• Reports: transparency (e.g. access to embedded dataset / analytical methods, etc); facilitates multi-authored preparation.
• Tailored analytical techniques: pre-specifications allow user to ‘cut to the chase’ and/or circumvent software-specific learning curve.
Benefits for the social science researcher?
…so how do I use them?See http://www.bristol.ac.uk/cmm/research/estat/downloads/index.html …
…so how do I use them?See http://www.bristol.ac.uk/cmm/research/estat/downloads/index.html …for: Software download & installation instructions; eBook reading & authoring guidance; Example eBooks.
eBook authoring: is it easy? Depends what you want to do!…eBook-writing tool can help set-up basic eBook structure…although more sophisticated functionality will take time to implement. User Guides, and the example eBooks (which can open & look ‘under the bonnet’), are there to help.
Any questions?