Chapter 1

Question 1

Define: Arguments

Answer 1

-positions supported by reasons
-to persuade
-based on logic or evidence

Question 2

Define: Evidence

Answer 2

-information observed and measured in the world

Question 3

Define: Normative Analysis

Answer 3

• Based on reason and logic
  -puts forward how society and life should be
  -not necessarily factual

Question 4

Keywords in Normative Analysis

Answer 4

should, must, ought, good, bad, right, wrong

Question 5

Define: Empirical Analysis

Answer 5

-based on evidence obtained from observable and measurable in the world
-dependent on the existence and the quality of the evidence
-fact-based

Question 6

One challenge of empirical evidence

Answer 6

the evidence varies

Question 7

Define: Intersubjectivity

Answer 7

-findings are not isolated to a particular researcher/research team
-when multiple studies demonstrate the same or similar findings, our confidence in the findings increases

Question 8

4 core beliefs of science

Answer 8

Empiricism
Determinism
Objectivity
Replication

Question 9

define: science

Answer 9

a set of beliefs about the natural world

Question 10

Define: Empiricism

Answer 10

Knowledge is derived from real-world observation and not intuition
- helps us formulate theories (integrated sets of explanations)

Question 11

Define: Determinism

Answer 11

Everything has a cause
-understand cause and effect

Question 12

Define: Objectivity

Answer 12

an accurate representation of reality
- no bias or distortion
-minimize the effect of the observer

Question 13

Define: Replication

Answer 13

continuous application of a scientific method acquires more knowledge
-repeated observation
-careful testing
-a proximate duplication of results
-must have transparent research
-repeated testing

Question 14

Limitations to the scientific approach in politics

Answer 14

-not everything in politics can be measured
-true objectivity is not possible

Question 15

steps of the scientific process

Answer 15

-pose a research question
-gather empirical evidence
-communicate the results

Question 16

define: data

Answer 16

evidence that a researcher collects

Question 17

define: research design

Answer 17

strategies that can be used in a data collection phase

Question 18

Define: Variables

Answer 18

factors that can vary or change

Question 19

Dependent variables

Answer 19

phenomenon to be explained, object of study
-it is caused by other variables/factors

Question 20

Independent Variable

Answer 20

factor that influences or causes the dependent variable

Question 21

Hypothesis

Answer 21

an assumption that needs to be tested against relevant evidence

Question 22

What is the scientific approach to politics

Answer 22

the application of the scientific method to the study of political phenomena

Question 23

What does it mean to study something “scientifically”

Answer 23

• accumulation and establishment of knowledge which has been systematized and formulated with reference to the discovery of general truths or the operations of general laws

Question 24

What are the aims of empirical analysis in political science

Answer 24

-contextual description
-classification and measurement
-hypothesis testing
-prediction

Question 25

How to get a good hypothesis

Answer 25

-theory based
-empirical hunch
-public policy