Multidimensional signals and analytic flexibility: Estimating degrees of freedom in human speech analyses

Recent empirical studies have highlighted the large degree of analytic flexibility in data analysis which can lead to substantially different conclusions based on the same data set. Thus, researchers have expressed their concerns that these researcher degrees of freedom might facilitate bias and can lead to claims that do not stand the test of time. Even greater flexibility is to be expected in fields in which the primary data lend themselves to a variety of possible operationalizations. The multidimensional, temporally extended nature of speech constitutes an ideal testing ground for assessing the variability in analytic approaches, which derives not only from aspects of statistical modeling, but also from decisions regarding the quantification of the measured behavior. In the present study, we gave the same speech production data set to 46 teams of researchers and asked them to answer the same research question, resulting insubstantial variability in reported effect sizes and their interpretation. Using Bayesian meta-analytic tools, we further find little to no evidence that the observed variability can be explained by analysts’ prior beliefs, expertise or the perceived quality of their analyses. In light of this idiosyncratic variability, we recommend that researchers more transparently share details of their analysis, strengthen the link between theoretical construct and quantitative system and calibrate their (un)certainty in their conclusions

Texture in Okigbo's poetry:An exploration of cohesion

Even among system texts, poetic language is unique. On the surface, the words appear disparate, resulting in the perceived difficulty associated with its study/analysis. Okigbo’s works have been criticised for their esotericism. Insights from the linguistic approach of cohesion, however, reveal that Okigbo’s poetic language is neither disparate nor deny access to the poetic text. Indeed, the words cohere, quite uniquely, sustaining ancient kinships and entering into new relationships, helping them to achieve texture. A(re)reading of Okigbo in light of this approach addresses the perceived opacity associated with his works and raises fresh questions on the traditional criticism of Okigbo, particularly the motif of the prodigal son. This study, therefore, explores the interpretive affordances of the notion of cohesion in selected poems by Okigbo. The overarching aim is to re-examine Okigbo’s works with the lens of cohesion, underpinned by the cohesion theory of Halliday and Hasan (1976/2013) in order to offer new insights into the interpretation and criticism of his poetry