For example, the presence of nuclear weapons in a country's arsenal has certain political, military, and environmental implications. The effect of a technology when used in its intended fashion would be another level of analysis, I think. For example, there are specific effects one would expect from the use of some new medical drug. Those effects can occupy research in their own right. The effect of a technology when used in other ways.
Most technological artifacts have multiple potential uses.
By recognizing this and focusing specifically on these differences, additional potential effects may be assessed. In collaboration with Scott Althaus, also in the Speech Communication Department, I have been conducting research on the potential impact of Internet-based news sources. Specifically, we have been looking at the differences between online and traditional print versions of newspapers. Our interest has been in how audiences using these media may be exposed to different mixes of the news. Thus far, our data indicate that the news presentation format favored by online news outlets oten lead readers away from the most important issues of the day.