Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define: Arguments
-positions supported by reasons
-to persuade
-based on logic or evidence
Define: Evidence
-information observed and measured in the world
Define: Normative Analysis
- Based on reason and logic
-puts forward how society and life should be
-not necessarily factual
Keywords in Normative Analysis
should, must, ought, good, bad, right, wrong
Define: Empirical Analysis
-based on evidence obtained from observable and measurable in the world
-dependent on the existence and the quality of the evidence
-fact-based
One challenge of empirical evidence
the evidence varies
Define: Intersubjectivity
-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
4 core beliefs of science
Empiricism
Determinism
Objectivity
Replication
define: science
a set of beliefs about the natural world
Define: Empiricism
Knowledge is derived from real-world observation and not intuition
- helps us formulate theories (integrated sets of explanations)
Define: Determinism
Everything has a cause
-understand cause and effect
Define: Objectivity
an accurate representation of reality
- no bias or distortion
-minimize the effect of the observer
Define: Replication
continuous application of a scientific method acquires more knowledge
-repeated observation
-careful testing
-a proximate duplication of results
-must have transparent research
-repeated testing
Limitations to the scientific approach in politics
-not everything in politics can be measured
-true objectivity is not possible
steps of the scientific process
-pose a research question
-gather empirical evidence
-communicate the results
define: data
evidence that a researcher collects
define: research design
strategies that can be used in a data collection phase
Define: Variables
factors that can vary or change
Dependent variables
phenomenon to be explained, object of study
-it is caused by other variables/factors
Independent Variable
factor that influences or causes the dependent variable
Hypothesis
an assumption that needs to be tested against relevant evidence
What is the scientific approach to politics
the application of the scientific method to the study of political phenomena
What does it mean to study something “scientifically”
- 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
What are the aims of empirical analysis in political science
-contextual description
-classification and measurement
-hypothesis testing
-prediction
How to get a good hypothesis
-theory based
-empirical hunch
-public policy
