IPRESS TERMS EXAM 2 Flashcards
Conceptualization and Operationalization
A conceptual definition explains the meaning of a term.
An operational definition links the concept to empirical references.
Concepts and Concept Formation
concept refers to a class of objects or behaviors with shared characteristics.
Concepts provide labels for generalizations (e.g., “participation” for voting, “conservative” for political ideology).
Political science relies on concepts such as power, democracy, ideology, and legitimacy.
However, there is no universal agreement on how to define many political concepts.
Researchers may use different terms for similar phenomena (e.g., revolution vs. coup).
Precise definition of terms is necessary for clarity and comparability in research.
concept formation process
Conceptualization involves selecting appropriate terms to represent phenomena.
John Gerring identifies eight criteria for a good concept:
Familiarity – Common understanding of the term.
Resonance – Whether the term “rings” well with audiences.
Parsimony – Simplicity and brevity in definition.
Coherence – Internal consistency in meaning.
Differentiation – Distinctness from similar concepts.
Depth – Inclusion of shared properties among instances.
Theoretical utility – Usefulness in explaining broader theories.
Field utility – Relevance within a specific academic field.
Conceptualization involves trade-offs between these criteria.
exampeles of operalisation
Failed State (e.g., Yemen, Pakistan)
- Conceptual definition: A state with high vulnerability or risk of violence.
- Operational definition: Measured by indicators like:
- Humanitarian emergencies (refugee movements, IDPs).
- Economic decline.
- Deterioration of public services.
- Foreign intervention.
- measured by researchers
Speeding
- Conceptual definition: Driving too fast.
- Operational definition: Driving over 70 mph.
- Measured using a speedometer reading.
operationalisation
Concept of Operational Definitions
- Ensures abstract concepts are measurable and observable.
- Conceptual definitions alone are insufficient for research.
Need for Operationalization
- Researchers may agree on a term but not on how to measure it.
- Operational definitions provide clear criteria for identifying a concept.
Normative Political Theory and Methodology
Normative theorists are often less explicit about their research methods.
Many students in the US and UK start advanced political theory research with little methodological training.
The research process for normative and empirical studies can follow similar patterns.
Empirical v Normative research
Empirical research: Concerned with the “real world,” using empirical data from observations.
Normative research: Focuses on what is just, right, or preferable, often through argumentative discourse.
Debate in Political Theory
Ideal Theory :
- Focuses on coherent philosophical ideals (e.g., Rawls’ A Theory of Justice).
- Assumes ideal conditions where everyone follows justice principles.
- Helps measure the gap between the ideal and reality.
Non-Ideal Theory :
- Criticizes ideal theory for being detached from real-world issues.
- Emphasizes the role of actual political institutions and practical constraints.
- Advocates for theories grounded in social and political realities (e.g., Carens, Sen).
Application of Normative Political Theory
Can be applied to issues such as globalization, migration, nationalism, gender roles, and inequality.
Researchers develop hypotheses and arguments based on literature and empirical data.
Thinking in terms of hypotheses helps clarify arguments and supporting evidence.
Approaches to Normative Political Research
Conceptual Analysis & Argumentative Discourse
- Focuses on defining principles, categorization, and logical argumentation.
- Uses philosophical methods to develop and critique concepts.
- Thought experiments and hypothetical cases help clarify principles.
Empirical Integration in Normative Analysis
- Evaluates political and economic institutions based on normative criteria.
- Uses historical data, surveys, and case studies to analyze justice and policy.
- Incorporates empirical findings from social sciences (e.g., sociology, economics).
Conceptual traveling
happens when a concept is applied to different contexts, places, or cases beyond where it was originally developed. This can be useful but may also lead to problems if the concept doesn’t fit well in the new context.
Conceptual stretching
occurs when a concept is broadened too much to include more cases, making it lose its precision and analytical usefulness. This often happens when scholars try to apply a term to too many different situations without keeping its core meaning intact.
steps in conducting an experiment
Hypothesis: e.g. Watering increases the proportion of sprouting seeds
Pre-register experiment: hypotheses + design
Random assignment to either experimental or control group (randomization)
Pre-test measure of dependent variable in both groups
One intervention a.k.a. treatment (independent variable)
Post-test measure of dependent variable in both groups
Compare (pre- and) post-test scores of groups
➢ Difference between groups? Strong evidence of effect independent variable!
Face validity
simply means: on the face of it, does the question intuitively seem like a good measure of the concept? If the answer is no, then we definitely have a problem, but what is intuitively yes for one person may not be so for another.
what is the independent variable in an experiment?
the treatment, which you design
Content validity
examines the extent to which the question covers the full range of the concept, covering each of its different aspects.”
Criterion validity
examines how well the new measure of the concept relates to existing measures of the concept, or related concepts.
Construct validity
examines how well the measure conforms to our theoretical expectations, by examining the extent to which it is associated with other theoretically relevant factors.
double-barrelled questions
This is when the question incorporates two distinct questions within one. So, for example, consider the question: ‘Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
“Tony Blair lied to parliament about Iraq and should be tried for war crimes.”’ You might
think he lied but should not be tried for war crimes, and you might think he didn’t lie but
should be tried for war crimes, so how do you answer?
bandwagon effect
a psychological phenomenon in which people do something primarily because other people are doing it, regardless of their own beliefs, which they may ignore or override
(Voters may simply forget which party or candidate they voted for -> Respondents struggling to remember how they voted are probably more likely to infer that they voted for the winner)
telescoping
Respondents can generally remember that they have done such an activity, but cannot recall accurately when it was, and so they confuse real participation within the specified time frame with earlier experiences.
Acquiescence bias
refers to a tendency among respondents (or some types of respondent) to agree with attitude statements presented to them. The poorly educated, are more likely to lack true attitudes on issues presented to them. Since they have no real answer to the question, they tend to just agree. Acquiescence bias is therefore likely to be more pronounced on issues or attitudes that are of low salience to the respondent, in which he lacks clearly defined views, or in cases where the question is not clearly understood.
The most obvious remedy to this problem is to mix pro and anti statements, so that at least the extent of
the problem can be identified.
Stratified Sampling
The population is divided into distinct sub-groups (strata), and samples are drawn from each group to ensure adequate representation, improving accuracy for smaller groups of interest.
Cluster Sampling
Instead of selecting individuals, groups (clusters) are sampled, such as entire households or geographic regions, reducing costs but increasing the risk of sampling error due to similarities within clusters.
