Chapter 2 Flashcards
descriptive argument
particular description of the political world is accurate
causal argument
particular explanation of a set of relationships or patterns in the political world is accurate
abstract
a 100–250-word summary of the report’s research question, methodology, key findings, and implications
executive summary
which is a short summary (typically 1–5 pages) of the same information
literature review
which is a highly focused presentation of the existing academic research that is directly relevant to the research question and the report’s line of argumentation
transmissible
methods can be explained
replicable
can be replicated
null findings
instances where the results do not match expectations and the data do not support the research hypothesis
Grey literature
not peer-reviewed
Authenticity
the extent to which the analysis of a phenomenon corresponds with reality.
Confirmability:
the extent to which a study’s results may be verified by an independent researcher.
Credibility
the extent to which the results of an analysis “fit” with the reality being depicted.
Dependability
the extent to which a researcher has produced accurate results, based on precise methods.
Equivocal
having the possibility of several different meanings; ambiguous.
External validity:
the extent to which the findings drawn from the cases under examination may be used to make generalizations about phenomena outside the original study.
Impartiality
the extent to which a study offers findings based on observation and evidence, as opposed to opinion or conjecture.
Internal validity:
the extent to which the researcher has produced results reflective of reality, as measured within the confines of the study.
Large-N study
research involving a large number of cases.
Measurement validity:
the extent to which the measurement of a particular concept matches its operational definition.
Member checks:
the process of verifying study results in consultation with its subjects. (p. 45) Mixed methods research: research that uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in the confines of a single study.
Objectivity:
the extent to which a study’s results are unbiased by the researcher’s predispositions.
Plausibility
when compared with alternative accounts, the extent to which a study’s results offer a reasonable, believable account of reality.
Portability
the extent to which a study’s results may be used to draw conclusions about other cases not immediately under investigation.
Precision
the extent to which a study offers an accurate account of reality, based on the ability of other researchers to reach similar conclusions under similar circumstances.
Probability
the mathematical likelihood that the results of a study apply beyond the cases under examination to other cases under the same general category.
Qualitative research
the non-numerical examination of reality; typically conducted through the use of verbal depiction.
Quantitative research
the numerical examination of reality; typically conducted through the use of statistical analysis.
Reliability
the extent to which the measurement of a particular variable yields consistent results.
Small-n studies
research involving a small number of cases.
Transferability
the extent to which researchers can export the lessons drawn from one investigation to develop conclusions about another set of cases.
Triangulation
the use of multiple approaches to data collection and analysis as a means of drawing trustworthy conclusions about reality
Trustworthiness:
the extent to which a study produces legitimate knowledge.
Univocal
having one meaning; unambiguous.
With the advent of \_\_\_\_\_\_, quantitative approaches came to dominate the political science community interpretivism computer technology the scientific method science
Computer technology
In quantitative analysis, researcher \_\_\_\_\_\_ are actively minimized during the investigation because they are seen as contaminants of objective inquiry. questions critiques opinions biases
Biases
In qualitative inquiry, the concept of \_\_\_\_\_\_ asks whether findings can be confirmed by someone else, independent of the original researcher’s biases. authenticity confirmability portability credibility
Confirmability
Because \_\_\_\_\_\_ research involves numbers, frequencies, and intensities, it is particularly well-suited to questions of “how much?”, “how often?”, and “how many?” quantitative qualitative determinist normative
quantitative
The primary purpose of most quantitative analysis is to \_\_\_\_\_\_. collect data conduct an investigation test a hypothesis develop broader research questions
test a hypothesis`
\_\_\_\_\_\_ refers to a process through which researchers’ inferences are verified by the subjects of their analysis. quantification Triangulation Member checking Credibility
Member checking
Peer assessment is critical to the research process for both qualitative and quantitative researchers because it ______.
ensures quantitative and qualitative researchers get along
ensures everyone gets a chance to publish
provides a check on the quality of research work
ensures triangulation of results
provides a check on the quality of research work
The behavioural revolution spanned the \_\_\_\_\_\_. first half of the nineteenth century second half of the nineteenth century first half of the twentieth century second half of the twentieth century
second half of the twentieth century
\_\_\_\_\_\_ researchers attempt to learn about politics through a thorough study of a small number of cases. Qualitative Determinist Normative Quantitative .
Qualitative
Internal validity is the extent to which ______.
the researcher has produced results reflective of reality
the results of quantitative studies can be generalized
the results of qualitative studies can be generalized
our variables measure our concepts
The researcher has produced results reflective of reality
