Magical modelling

It's a good few years since I was formally reminded of the value of modelling.

I am not talking about embarking on a career as a paid, or otherwise, clothes horse; I don't have the height, age profile or stereotypical 'correct shape, never mind the political sensibilities!

Nor am I talking about mathematical simulation and hypothesis testing.

However, perhaps there is a trace of both of these ideas, in the sort of modelling which is truly magical.

Such modelling often begins with admiration, of behaviours or achievements or created artefacts. It is sometimes evoked serendipitously, sometimes identified through everyday experience, sometimes through purposeful searching and discovery.

The high achieving scholar, whose diligence is evident through their research publications or the highly successful potential rôle model are the most obvious seeds for models, and modelling can be initiated by a single questions.... "how do they do that?".

There is another seed, that I believe is truly valuable to researchers and students, of all levels - the informative and reflective blog site or post.

Sites of value, to my mind, reveal the thinkings of the author through their content. Research methods and approaches are to some extent embodied in the posts. They also reveal a commitment to sharing, openness, transparency and active reflection - all of which are valuable principles for the student and researcher.

I actively encourage my students to blog like this, but also accept that for many the prospect it too intimidating or perceived as too onerous.

There are many possible reasons

• claiming time;
• creating an additional apparently conflicting priority;
• demanding work out of the comfort zone;
• exposing undeveloped skills
  
• Attracting unwonted comment

But it is possible to adopt another perspective. Such blogs can work as thinking tools

• be part of the discipline of the researchers logbook or diary;
• Provide space for practicing turning thoughts into words
• Act as a living notebook creating an archeological trace which can be searched and indexed
• Provide personal feedback for ground covered and progress achieved
• Establish the foundations of a reputation
• Help identify the key questions you want to ask
• Help fellow students and identify your community of scholars

 

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Better projects, dissertations and writing...

At this time of year, the whole cycle of student research, projects and writing and dissertations come into sharp focus.
I am always on the look out for good tools and models of good practice to help students understand and engage with the whole process in both a constructive and holistic manner.
Today's example was a slide explaining the contribution of some research into the teaching of derivatives to students of Economics.

Since I am often teaching engineers (of one sort or another) I often use the metaphor of engineering the document.
The image above comes from a presentation by A L Alzira Jimenez presented at the IMA International Conference on Barriers and Enablers to Learning Maths: Enhancing Learning and Teaching for All Learners, 10 – 12 June 2015, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland (programme details)
The example uses a table, which removes some of the pressure to write prose and at the same time, clearly states the contributions of the work and links back to sources discussed in the literature review.
IIt demonstrates (to a small degree) visual literacy - a favourite theme of mine, and hopefully removes some of the stress of writing.
The use of tables in this way is not confined to the contributions, however this is an area often neglected by students in their write ups maybe because conclusions and future work are stuff written at the end if the activity.
Perhaps most importantly, it can function as a thinking tool, helping author review and enhance the quality of their work - engineering a clearer explanation.
Anything which makes this process more enjoyable AND improves final product has to be a good thing.

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Digital sociology: The politics of data science

Interesting call for papers

Mark Carrigan is well worth following. An academic at Warwick, he has an active twitter feed and blog.

This call for papers especially caught my eye last week

http://markcarrigan.net/2015/04/01/cfp-the-politics-of-data-science/

The Politics of Data (Science)

This special issue of Discover Society will explore the political implications of ‘big data’ and the systems of expertise emerging around it, including though not limited to Data Science. In doing so it will aim to bridge the gap between the methodological discourse surrounding data science and the political discourse beginning to emerge around ‘big data’. Here are some of the questions the issue will address:

– How is ‘big data’ understood and acted upon? How should we understand its cultural power?

– How is ‘big data’ reconfiguring the social sciences? Do we risk all science becoming data science?

– How and why has the ‘data scientist’ come to be seen as the ‘sexiest job of the 21st century’?

– Is the ‘data scientist’ just a ’Statistician who lives in Shoreditch?’ Or is this a genuinely new intellectual role?

– Can ‘big data’ address ‘big questions’? If not, is this a problem?

– What are the precursors of ‘data science’ within the academy and/or within corporations?

– What implications does corporate data science have for the relationship between corporations & consumers?

– What implications does national security data science have for the relationship between the state & citizens?

– Can the use of digital data lead to efficiency savings in public services? How does this relate to the politics of austerity?

– How could predictive privacy harms emerging from data analytics be addressed politically?

– Can the opacity of algorithmic processes be challenged? Or are we heading inexorably for a ‘black-box society’?

– How are new forms of digital data reconfiguring activity in particular social environments?

However these are just suggestions and ideas beyond the scope of this list are very welcome.

The deadline for contributions is June 15th. Contact mark@markcarrigan.net to discuss a potential contribution.

The article will constitute the July issue of Discover Society. Most articles will be 1500 words however there are a number of special sections in the online magazine.

Front line – 1500 words

View point – 1500 words

Policy briefing – 1500-2000 words

If you would be interested in writing one of these thematic sections, please get in touch asap.

The issue will follow the usual formatting guidelines of Discover Society. Please consult the notes for contributors.

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