Many people don’t know how to evaluate population genetics
articles, because they are expost facto research based on “ statistical infererences”
or the beliefs of the researcher
supported by statistics. As a result, researchers can not judge the
difference between an ad hominid and legitimate discussion of the doxa behind a
researcher’s research.
In traditional evaluation of a piece of research literature you look at the researcher's hypothesis, results and statistical methods s/he used to determine the statistical significance of the research.This is not the case in population genetics research; in this research you are evaluating statistical inferences based on the researchers beliefs about a set of data, instead of testing a hypothesis. As a result, the research contained in a population genetics article, reflects the views and beliefs already held by the researcher. Thusly, the statistical inferences will automatically support the views and beliefs held by the researcher; and any outliners that fail to support the researchers beliefs will not be mentioned in the research article/paper.
Here we will ask the question: “How do you evaluate population genetics research?” We will attempt to look at the doxa that may influence a geneticist's research and the constructs that should be considered when evaluating this knowledge base.
In traditional evaluation of a piece of research literature you look at the researcher's hypothesis, results and statistical methods s/he used to determine the statistical significance of the research.This is not the case in population genetics research; in this research you are evaluating statistical inferences based on the researchers beliefs about a set of data, instead of testing a hypothesis. As a result, the research contained in a population genetics article, reflects the views and beliefs already held by the researcher. Thusly, the statistical inferences will automatically support the views and beliefs held by the researcher; and any outliners that fail to support the researchers beliefs will not be mentioned in the research article/paper.
Here we will ask the question: “How do you evaluate population genetics research?” We will attempt to look at the doxa that may influence a geneticist's research and the constructs that should be considered when evaluating this knowledge base.
Firstly, we assume
that any article or book written by an establishment member of the academe is reliable and valid. A piece of research full of valid scientific and/or historical truths--erudite scholarship and impeccable research based on the scientific method.
The scientific method is based on hypotheses testing. Hypotheses testing means that a researcher forms a hypothesis and test the hypothesis using a series of quantitative or qualitative statistical methods to determine the statistical significance of the hypothesis being tested. The scientific method is based on experimentation to test a hypothesis .
There is a sociological basis behind how a researcher interprets data. Sociological research indicates that there are unconscious cognitive structures within each individual. Cognitive structures that hold the idealistic view of members of the academe that determine how they perceive "reality". These structures are called doxa.
Commenting on these schema Berlinerblau (1999) noted that "These types of theories share the assumption that human beings know things that they do not even know that they know; that they "possess" knowledge about the world which exists in some sort of cognitive substrate, beyond the realm of discourse" (p.106).Wacquant (1995) says that doxa is " a realm of implicit and unstated beliefs".
The scientific method is based on hypotheses testing. Hypotheses testing means that a researcher forms a hypothesis and test the hypothesis using a series of quantitative or qualitative statistical methods to determine the statistical significance of the hypothesis being tested. The scientific method is based on experimentation to test a hypothesis .
Population geneticists usually do not test hypotheses. They make inferences about data based on Bayesian statistical inferences. They do not use statistical methods to determine the statistical significance of a hypothesis, they use statistics to describe data being reviewed by the researcher based on the beliefs the researcher already holds about the data being reviewed..
Population genetics is a type of Expost facto research. Expost facto research design is a quasi-experimental type of study examining how an independent variable, present prior to the research study, affects a dependent variable.
Whereas the subjects in experimental research are randomly selected, the participants in Expost facto research , are not randomly selected or assigned.The genome of the research subjects is examined to determine the haplotypes and haplogroups carried by the participants in the study.
Population genetics is a type of Expost facto research. Expost facto research design is a quasi-experimental type of study examining how an independent variable, present prior to the research study, affects a dependent variable.
Whereas the subjects in experimental research are randomly selected, the participants in Expost facto research , are not randomly selected or assigned.The genome of the research subjects is examined to determine the haplotypes and haplogroups carried by the participants in the study.
In population genetics research the researcher uses the Bayesian inference method of statistical inference. Bayesian statistical method, is a subjective research design/method that provides a rational method of updating the researcher's beliefs.
Since, the results of a Bayesian statistical analysis are a series of beliefs based on statistical inferences, the results can not stand alone. This is due to the reality, that any results, reported by a researcher are only a series of inferences based on the researcher’s belief about a phenomena backed up by a series statistical results. If the results are published without corresponding evidence from archaeology, anthropology, linguistics and or craniometrics the inferences are pure conjecture, because they reflect the attitudes already held by the researcher, confirmed by data selected by the researcher to support his or her beliefs.
Since, the results of a Bayesian statistical analysis are a series of beliefs based on statistical inferences, the results can not stand alone. This is due to the reality, that any results, reported by a researcher are only a series of inferences based on the researcher’s belief about a phenomena backed up by a series statistical results. If the results are published without corresponding evidence from archaeology, anthropology, linguistics and or craniometrics the inferences are pure conjecture, because they reflect the attitudes already held by the researcher, confirmed by data selected by the researcher to support his or her beliefs.
There is a sociological basis behind how a researcher interprets data. Sociological research indicates that there are unconscious cognitive structures within each individual. Cognitive structures that hold the idealistic view of members of the academe that determine how they perceive "reality". These structures are called doxa.
Commenting on these schema Berlinerblau (1999) noted that "These types of theories share the assumption that human beings know things that they do not even know that they know; that they "possess" knowledge about the world which exists in some sort of cognitive substrate, beyond the realm of discourse" (p.106).Wacquant (1995) says that doxa is " a realm of implicit and unstated beliefs".
Given the
research suggesting that doxa exist, support the view that some researchers
allow their hatred of multiculturalism, ethnic prejudice and racism to define their discourse, teaching
and writing about themes relating to groups " other" ,than their own cultural and ethnic group . Moreover, it suggest that when topics such as Eurasian and African haplogroups, Afrocentrism, African origins of the Dravidians and etc., is attacked by members of the
academe, these academics are supported by the "establishment" without
any reservation, or test of the validity of their claims. In fact, it appears
that doxic assumptions relating to the validity of Afrocentrism, back migration of so-called Eurasian genes into Africa, rcent African origens of Dravidians and Dravidian
origin of the Indus Valley Civilization obviates critique of the academics that
disparage these themes. Due to Doxa you can state a researcher’s attitude
toward a historical, genetic or anthropological concept and theorems without the
statement being an ad hominem
To evaluate research literature a student should know the varied research methods.A student evaluating a piece of population genetics’ literature
must understand that the researcher is conducting an expost facto method of research that does not involve hypotheses testing .Given the nature of Bayesian inferences, you can not determine the validity and reliability of a piece
of genetics research literature based on the statistical significance of the data. What you must do is look at
the research article and ask yourself a series of questions regarding the article's validity and
reliability. Below is a series of questions to evaluate population genetics articles.
Checklist used to analyze a Population Genetics Papers
Answer the following questions relating to this research
article below, or on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What was
the rationale for the study, that is, what led up to it?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
2. Why do
the authors believe that this problem is significant? Yes on page___
,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
3. What was
the purpose of the study, that is , what did it intend to accomplish?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
4. What was
the hypothesis of the study?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
5. What were
the participants major characteristics?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
6. Does the
review of literature indicate previous research in the area associated with the
article?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
7. What type
of study is reported in this article?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
8. Was the
sample randomly selected?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
9. What was
the instrument?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
10. What were
the major steps involved in the treatment?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
11. How were
the variables tested?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
12. According
to the author(s) how successful was the treatment?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
13. What
factors could equally account for the student tests results?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
14. What
problems, if any, do you detect in the study?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
15. Do the
results of analysis agree with the authors objectives and expectations?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
16. What other
interpretations could be made from the
data?
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
17. Is there
archaeological, craniometric and or linguistic evidence that supports the research findings
Yes on page___ ,paragraph____ _,lines________ No_______
The Evaluator should read the article twice. The first reading of the article is brief.
Next make a close reading of the article. The close read should involve the Evaluator in underlining key details in the article, while making annotations of important points in the text. During the second reading of the text the Evaluator will assess the research article using the checklist above.Since the Bayesian statistics used for the study will support the inferences of the Researcher the answers for the majority of the checklist will be yes.
The key question in determining the validity of the research will be question 17. If the researcher only has Bayesian statistical inferences supporting the research study , the inferences made in the research article , may not be representative of actual past population events.
In summary, the validity and reliability of a piece of genetics
research literature does not demand the Evaluator of a piece of literature to
provide counter evidence all they need to do is evaluate the research using the checklist above. If the answer to most of these questions is no, the research
is unreliable and lacks any validity.
The key question on the checklist is question 17. To confirm the validity of the archaeological, craniometric and etc., data , the Evaluator should be knowledgeable about the archaeology of the area where the population movement has been inferred to have taken place.In this way you can determine if the Bayesian inferences correspond to the archaeological, craniometric, linguistic data associated with the geographical area where the population movement is suppose to have occur .
The major problem with most genetics literature which invalidates the research dealing with ancient population movements is that it is not supported by the ancientDNA, archaeological and/ or craniometric data. This is why many of theories about the ancient populations of Europe and alledged back migrations are usually over turned once researchers examine the ancientDNA.
The key question on the checklist is question 17. To confirm the validity of the archaeological, craniometric and etc., data , the Evaluator should be knowledgeable about the archaeology of the area where the population movement has been inferred to have taken place.In this way you can determine if the Bayesian inferences correspond to the archaeological, craniometric, linguistic data associated with the geographical area where the population movement is suppose to have occur .
The major problem with most genetics literature which invalidates the research dealing with ancient population movements is that it is not supported by the ancientDNA, archaeological and/ or craniometric data. This is why many of theories about the ancient populations of Europe and alledged back migrations are usually over turned once researchers examine the ancientDNA.
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