9. Qualitative Methods

Question 1

Qualitative data

Answer 1

Data without numerical properties, typically classification or categorization

Question 2

The anti-naturalist view (of social science)

Answer 2

Since the methods of social and natural science differ in so many ways, the social sciences cannot and should not follow the methodology of natural science

Question 3

The naturalist view (of social science)

Answer 3

Since social since shares the goals of natural science, the social sciences can and should follow the methodology of natural sciences

Question 4

Simulation theory of interpretation

Answer 4

We reuse our own cognitive mechanisms to simulate other people’s mental states

Question 5

Theory theory of interpretation

Answer 5

We construct a theory of mind just like a scientific theory, using collective evidence and revising hypotheses

Question 6

Belief-desire explanation

Answer 6

An agent’s action A (instead of B) is explained by her desiring some result X (and not Y), and her believing that A will bring about X (and that B will bring about Y)

Question 7

The intentional stance

Answer 7

Attributing mental states like beliefs and desires to an agent A (a human, an animal or even a machine), assuming A to be rational, and using this to predict the actions of A

Question 8

Mixed method (of data types)

Answer 8

Using qualitative data both in its own right and as raw material for generating quantitative data of one or several properties

Question 9

Case study

Answer 9

A study characterized by using a small number of cases that are chosen for some specific reason and display the same outcome.
The study typically does not involve experimental manipulations.
The goal of the study is to understand a specific case.

Question 10

Multivariate study

Answer 10

A study using a large number of cases, chosen from population randomly or in other ways representatively.
The values of the dependent variable vary across observation points.
The study involves or tries to mimic experimental manipulation.
The goal of the study is to identify and understand general patterns characterizing a population

Question 11

Analytical narrative

Answer 11

A kind of case study where a narrative is presented to clarify the important actors and main decision points

Question 12

Qualitative comparative analysis

Answer 12

Analysis of cases performed in order to learn about necessary causes and thus better understand the boundaries of the underlying population.
The results can be applied in a multivariate analysis

Question 13

Process tracing

Answer 13

A kind of case study that emphasises cause-effect relations in a single case vs. Cause-effect relations as mean effect size in the population

Question 14

The methodological individualism principle

Answer 14

Allgood social theory is reducible to individualist accounts

Question 15

Ontological holism

Answer 15

Social norms are things that exist, but they don’t exist on the individual level.
Instead, they are social entities, irreducible to individual qualities

Question 16

Methodological holism

Answer 16

Claims, in contrast to ontological holism, that social norms can be reduced to individual qualities, but only on a case-by-case basis.
Social scientists aim at describing in general the relation between social norms and human behaviour.
A case-by-case relationship only gives us specific historical narratives, and we do not want to trade explanatory generality for methodological individualism