Addressing a statistical power-alpha level blind spot in political- and health-related media research: discontinuous criterion power analyses. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holbert, R. Lance; Hardy, Bruce W.; Park, Esul; Robinson, Nicholas W.; Jung, Heeyoung; Zeng, Chen; Drouin, Erin; Sweeney, Kelly
• Is Part Of: Annals of the International Communication Association. Volume 42:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Statistical power -- alpha level -- criterion analysis -- Type I error -- political media -- health media; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.205
• DOI: 10.1080/23808985.2018.1459198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2380-8985

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A content analysis of 900 political- and health-related media articles published in 11 outlets from 2010 through 2015 reveals a complete disconnect between discussions of statistical power and alpha levels. This study proposes the use of discontinuous criterion power analyses to address this power-alpha blind spot. Additional analyses indicate a sizeable percentage (41.1%) of published works in these areas retaining sufficient statistical power (i.e. .95 or greater) to warrant the use of a stricter alpha level than the traditional α = .05 to detect small effects. The surgical use of more stringent alpha levels to guard against Type I error will instill greater confidence in the empirical findings generated by media research conducted in political and health contexts.