Lennert Coenen
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lennertcoenen.bsky.social
Lennert Coenen
@lennertcoenen.bsky.social
180 followers 130 following 6 posts
Communication Scientist @ Tilburg University. Interested in stats, methods, philosophy, and other things that make me seem remotely sophisticated.
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Reposted by Lennert Coenen
tobiasdienlin.com
Tomorrow at #ica25, I’ll present the paper „A simple future for media effects“.

@yesuncomm.bsky.social, @lennertcoenen.bsky.social, & I argue that complexity has become a dogma.

Instead, let’s value parsimony & regularities.

📌: Fr 6/13, 9am, Mt Blue Sky, Hyatt
Preprint: osf.io/preprints/os...
June 12, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Reposted by Lennert Coenen
tobiasdienlin.com
New Preprint: "A Simple Future For Media Effects"

@lennertcoenen.bsky.social, @yesuncomm.bsky.social, & I critically discuss our field's current emphasis on complexity.

Instead, we argue to value description, prioritize regularities, formalize models, and unify theories.

osf.io/preprints/os...
A key axiom in media effects research is that effects are nuanced, varied, and indirect. Although this is true ontologically, asking for ever-more ’nuanced’ analyses of media effects is problematic epistemologically as it stands in the way of more insightful, falsifiable, and robust theorizing. For this reason, we advocate a shift in research priorities and propose four guidelines for future research: 1. Value description; 2. Prioritize regularities; 3. Formalize models; 4. Unify theories. A collective effort along these lines will allow for better cumulative theorizing and, in turn, a stronger understanding and explanation of media effects.
May 9, 2025 at 8:12 AM
lennertcoenen.bsky.social
Really important, this. Also slightly depressing.
richardhuskey.bsky.social Richard Huskey @richardhuskey.bsky.social · Jan 2
When it comes to statistical power, how is Communication Science doing? Sun, Shen, Pan, and Quan’s article: “Toward a More Powerful Experimental Communication Science: An Assessment of Two Decades’ Research (2001–2023)” gives an answer. In short, not so good: doi.org/10.1177/0093...
A bar chart displaying the reporting of statistical power analysis by year from 2001 to 2023. The Y-axis shows the percentage of studies per category within each year, ranging from 0% to 75%. The X-axis represents years from 2001 to 2023. The chart is divided into five categories listed on the right: “A Priori,” “Sensitivity,” “Observed,” “Mention Only,” and “No Mention.” A Priori: Reporting is sparse before 2010 but increases steadily after 2017, peaking near 25% in recent years. Sensitivity: Reporting is minimal and sporadic across all years. Observed: Reporting is consistent but moderate, fluctuating around 10–25%. Mention Only: Reporting is infrequent and fluctuates around 5–10%. No Mention: Initially dominant but decreases over time, particularly after 2010. The chart highlights a trend toward increased A Priori power reporting and a decline in studies making no mention of power analysis, indicating evolving research practices over time. Table 2 summarizes the results from power analyses by study design, showing statistical power (median and range) and the percentage of studies at different power levels. The table includes data for four designs: Within-subject (k = 41), Two-group (k = 98), Multi-group (k = 93), and 2 × 2 Factorial (k = 184). The table shows that within-subject designs generally achieve higher statistical power, especially at larger effect sizes, while two-group and multi-group designs often fall below acceptable power levels, particularly for small effects. 2 × 2 factorial designs vary, with reversal effects showing higher power than attenuation effects. Overall, achieving adequate power remains a challenge in many designs, highlighting the need for careful study planning.
January 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
lennertcoenen.bsky.social
Statistical models only tell you the state of the world if they represent the state of the world. If you don't know what the world looks like, the model you use won't tell you either.
November 28, 2024 at 10:17 AM
lennertcoenen.bsky.social
When you're accused of causing harm, just keep shouting 'WHERE IS YOUR VALIDLY SPECIFIED DAG?!?!' Can't lose.
November 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM