Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

J - POL S 230 (1/2) > January 20 and 22, 2015 Chapter 3: Comparative Research Methods > Flashcards

January 20 and 22, 2015 Chapter 3: Comparative Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Comparative politics is both ___ and ___.

A

Substance and method.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The research design (RD) can be considered a ___ between the research question (RQ) and the research answer (RA).

A

Bridge.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the triad of comparative research methods?

A

The RD acts as a bridge between the RQ and RA.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Theory comes before method. This means that RQ should always be guided by ___.

A

Theory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

A theory in its simplest form is a relationship between two real world phenomena: what are they?

A

The independent “x” variable and the dependent “y” variable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

The RA are empirically founded hypothesis in the shape of a logical, causal relationship between the…

A

Dependent and independent variables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How does one properly contribute to theories in comparative politics?

A

Theoretical contributions should be original, but also based on reading and understanding the established literature in a given area of research.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The comparative method should meet the standards set in social sciences in terms of 3 factors. What are they?

A
  1. Generalizability.
  2. Reliability.
  3. Validity.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is generalizability?

A

Looking for middle ground between too isolated and overgeneralized. Too isolated means it is not useful in other situations, and grand theories means that it is too broad.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the two types of validity?

A

Internal and external.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is internal validity?

A

Validity within your research project.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is external validity?

A

Validity outside your research project.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is reliability?

A

If you conduct the study again, you will get the same result again.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is a case?

A

A specific issue of concern.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are some examples of cases?

A

Cases can be concepts such as terrorism or revolution, delimited geographic spaces (Canada, Japan), or a certain period of time (20th Century).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

When you consider cases over a certain period of time, what are the two types?

A

Time series and closed universe.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a time series case?

A

Inspecting factors over time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a closed universe case?

A

Inspecting a few cases at different points in time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are some strategies that can be used when choosing case studies?

A

Think comparatively, think deeply, and think systematically.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

When we compare two or more cases, we do so in terms of ___.

A

Variables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are variables?

A

Concepts that are systematically observed and measured in various situations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

When examining variables, “x” is the ___ and “y” is the ___.

A

Causes, outcomes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

Specific, testable claims derived from theories, and are central to any scientific process, including comparative politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is correlation?

A

The pairing of two variables (or more) such that as one moves, so does the other.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is causation?

A

The property that one variable or set of variables has when it constitutes a “necessary and sufficient condition” for some dependent variable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Correlation does/doesn’t demonstrate causation.

A

Doesn’t.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

___ data, while important, is usually not enough for a comparison.

A

Quantitative.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

___ data should be used to supplement quantitative data.

A

Qualitative.

29
Q

___ go in columns, and ___ go in rows.

A

Variables, cases.

30
Q

What are the two types of strategies for case selection?

A

Intensive and extensive.

31
Q

What is the intensive strategy for case selection?

A

More variables and less cases. Thick description.

32
Q

What is the extensive strategy for case selection?

A

Less variables and more cases. Thin description.

33
Q

What are the 5 types of case studies?

A
  1. Single case study.
  2. Time series.
  3. Closed universe.
  4. Cross-section.
  5. Pooled analysis.
34
Q

What is a single case study?

A

You look at a single case and draw conclusions from it.

35
Q

What is post hoc validation?

A

You use the results of your case study after the fact to validate other cases.

36
Q

In which type of case study would you use post hoc validation?

A

Single case study.

37
Q

What is a deviant case?

A

After carrying out the research in a single case study, you study the case that did not fit.

38
Q

What is a pilot for generating hypothesis?

A

You open up study for other cases.

39
Q

What are some limitations to single case studies?

A

Small-n problem, which is when it aims at generalization, but can never hit the bull’s eye.

40
Q

What is the small-n problem?

A

A situation in which the researcher only has a small number of relevant cases to analyze.

41
Q

What is the problem with a small sample size in quantitative research?

A

Small sample size may yield biased results.

42
Q

What is the value of a single case study?

A

Serve an indispensable social scientific role as an empirical/theoretical stepping stone or building block.

43
Q

What is the large-N problem?

A

Bigger N’s are good, but too many cases requires a sacrifice in depth. Taken too far, the cases become merely data points.

44
Q

What is the tradeoff that is faced in the large-N problem?

A

There are advantages to having more cases, but disadvantages to having too many.

45
Q

What is the aim of the comparative method, according to John Stuart Mill?

A

Maximize experimental variance, minimize error variance, and control extraneous variance.

46
Q

What is experimental variance?

A

A change in the dependent variable is a function of the independent variable.

47
Q

What is error variance?

A

Random effects of unmeasured variables.

48
Q

What is extraneous variance?

A

Avoidance of spurious relationships. Reactivity problem.

49
Q

What is the type of variance that is needed?

A

Experimental variance.

50
Q

What are the two methods used to control extraneous variance?

A

Method of Agreement and Method of Difference.

51
Q

What is the Method of Agreement?

A

Search for commonality between dissimilar cases.

52
Q

What does the Method of Agreement use for its research design?

A

Most Different Systems Design (MSDS).

53
Q

What is the Method of Difference?

A

Search for differences among similar cases.

54
Q

What does the Method of difference use for its research design?

A

Most Similar Systems Design (MSSD).

55
Q

What is a limitation of the comparative method?

A

Conceptual stretching, Sartoni’s Ladder of Generality.

56
Q

What is conceptual stretching?

A

The tendency to extend theoretical concepts to new cases (conceptual travelling), where there is the risk of over-stretching.

57
Q

Give an example of conceptual stretching.

A

When you consider women’s rights in democratic countries, you first need to think about what makes a country democratic. You can include many countries, but the concept of democracy is stretched.

58
Q

The more abstract you are in your definition, the more the concept is stretched and the ___ cases you have.

A

More.

59
Q

What is Sartori’s Ladder of Generality?

A

The inherent trade-off between internal and external validity. Describes problem of concept stretching.

60
Q

What are some attempts to cope with Sartori’s Ladder of Generality?

A

Family resemblance and radical categories.

61
Q

What is equivalence?

A

Refers to the applicability of a concept across time and space.

62
Q

What is a problem encountered with regards to equivalence?

A

Universalist vs. relativist position.

63
Q

Give an example of the universalist vs. relativist position problem with regards to equivalence.

A

Women in Tunisia define sexual harassment as even catcalling, but women in Egypt only call it sexual harassment if touching is involved.

64
Q

What is Galton’s problem in interpreting results?

A

Explanation is corrupted by a common external cause.

65
Q

What is an individual fallacy in interpreting results?

A

Data measured at the individual level is used to represent a whole group.

66
Q

What is an ecological fallacy in interpreting results?

A

Data measured at the aggregated level is used to make inferences at the individual level.

67
Q

What is over-determination and selection biases in interpreting results?

A

When choosing case studies, you make assumptions and decisions based on biases. For example, you assume that countries with trade relations do not go to war.

68
Q

The ___ method allows the testing of the hypothesis.

A

Comparative.

69
Q

What is the quasi-experimental method?

A

Conclusions are drawn from comparisons, not experiments.

J - POL S 230 (1/2) (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions