An open conference was held Thursday night by some of ULM’s communication professors, showcasing findings for their individual quantitative research experiments.
Quantitative, defined simply, is relating to, measuring or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality. All findings by the professors are backed by conducted tests and shifting variables to better gauge subjects. Data means nothing if there is no apparent way of explaining the research through words.
However as Christopher Mapp, a journalism professor said, “Data deals with probabilities. Science is never ‘settled,’ because it doesn’t deal in certainties.”
The four communication professors to speak were, in speaking order, Joshua Comer, Adaobi Duru, Christopher Mapp and Carl Thameling.
Comer researched social media and how people blamed social media. Duru’s research was about how journalists’ credibility is affected by abusive comments. Mapp covered how strongly a person identified with a certain group affected their willingness to censure negative articles associated with said group. Lastly, Thameling talked about how the language used in letters of recommendation will dictate how the reader will absorb the information.
The lengthy dialogue opened the eyes of students to some of the work their professors did outside of class.
“I think that the meeting was very interesting,” said Matthew Johnson, a senior communication major. “I sometimes wonder what my professors do in their spare time. So I feel like this filled a blank. They must really have a love for research.”
The event conducted with the four professors taking questions from students. Program coordinator of the communication department, Lesli Pace, said different professors would be presenting some of their research next semester.