Lecture 2: Research Logic and Research Design

Question 1

Normative research

Answer 1

• Questions that inquire what ought to be
• deals with ethics, values, and value judgements
  Aim= prescriptive
• Require the application of philosophy rather than of data

Question 2

Positive research

Answer 2

• Questions that inquire what is
• Deals with empirical phenomena + theoretical concepts plus the link between them
• Capable of being researched through data collection

Question 3

Theoretical research

Answer 3

• Theory elaboration, conceptualization
• Analytical (truth = based on logical deductive reasoning)

Question 4

Empirical research

Answer 4

• Theory generation
  Testing + application,
  Conceptualization
• Synthetic
  truth result from a confrontation between theory + empirical content

Question 5

Descriptive research

kind of empirical research type

Answer 5

What is going on?

• • Collection of relevant facts that can be used as evidence in subsequent theory building or conceptualization
• good descriptive research can lead to a ‘‘light bulb’ moment

Research objective: thick description, or conceptualization

Question 6

Explanatory research

Answer 6

Why or How is it going on?

• • Can focus on causes of events (Y), causal effects (X) or causal mechanism (X-Y)
• Why-questions: causal effects
• How-questions: causal mechanism

Research objective: Theory building or theory testing

Question 7

What is research design?

Answer 7

’’ a research design is** a logical plan for getting from here to there**, where here may be definited as the initial set of questions to be answered, and there is some set of conclusions (answers) about these questions)- Yin

• • Logic plan ‘’ a research design deals with a logical problem, not logistical’
    Not just about how you do the research, but also why and what the purpose of doing this is.
• How are you going to conduct the research?
• Methods need to be consistent and logical, not logistical

Question 8

Units of variation

Answer 8

= units of analysis (count of N/ number of cases)

Question 9

X- centered

Answer 9

Focuses on a cause
* has it a specific effect on a specific outcome
* gauging the contribution of X in explaining part of variation in Y

Question 10

Case study

Answer 10

Empirical analysis of small sample of cases

Question 11

Y- centered

Answer 11

Focuses on outcome.
* discern the relevant causes
* Explaining te variation in Y as best as you can (backward looking)

Question 12

Mechanism-centered

Answer 12

Focuses on tracing a causal mechanism/ causal process
* Uncovering the sequence of intervening factors that link an X to an Y

Question 13

What is a case?

Answer 13

Bounded empirical phenomenon that is an instance of population of similar empirical phenomena
* boundaries: spatial/ temporal/ substantive
* Causal homogeneity
Causal effects and mechanisms are expected to hold true for other cases in population

Question 14

Why select cases purposefully

Answer 14

• avoid selection bias + faulty generalizations
• increases external validity
• Random sampling is not usually an option due to the few cases or theoretical concerns.
• Selecting cases carefully avoids false conclusions

Question 15

Characteristics Case study

Answer 15

• Generalizability: causal effects + mechanisms are expected to hold true for other cases in population
• both qualitative as quantitative techniques can be used

Question 16

Population

Answer 16

Universe of cases, class of events, studied +unstudied cases

Question 17

Sample

Answer 17

Studied cases

Question 18

Analytical level

Answer 18

• Macro level
• meso level
• micro level

Question 19

Macro-level

Answer 19

Societies, economies, states

Question 20

Meso level

Answer 20

Groups, territorial subunits

Question 21

Micro level

Answer 21

Individuals

Question 22

Level of analysis

Answer 22

• Cross-case level
• Within-case level

Question 23

Cross-case level

Answer 23

Causal effects

Question 24

Within-case level

Answer 24

Causal mechanisms

Question 25

Types of observations

Answer 25

• Data set observations
• Causal process observations

Question 26

Causation

Answer 26

A type of co-variation where one phenomenon contributes to or produces another

Question 27

Criteria for causal inference

Answer 27

• Temporal sequence ( X–> Y)
• Proximity ( in time and space)
• Constant coexistence (of X and Y)
• Necessary connection (between X and Y)

Question 28

views towards causation

Answer 28

• Probabilisitc view
• Deterministic view

Question 29

Probalistic view on causation

Answer 29

• When values of an independent variable increase or decrease –> this usually results in values of dependent variable increasing or decreasing
• Cause as a pobability raiser
  = X sometimes effects Y

Question 30

Deterministic view on causation

Answer 30

when the values of an independent variable increase or decrease, this always results in the values of the dependent variable increasing or decreasing
explanatory factors are (potentially) necessary and/or sufficient conditions for an outcome
= X always effects Y

Question 31

What is a theory?

Answer 31

A theory consists of..

• A prime hypothesis
• One or more explanatory hypotheses
  = argument
• one or more antecedent conditions

Theories provide an explanation as to how A causes B and they can be written in the form of an arrow diagram (theoretical model)

Question 32

A theory consists of

Answer 32

• a prime hypothesis A–> B
• One or more explanatory hypotheses A–> q, Q–>r, r–> B = your argument
• one or more antecedent conditions

Question 33

Predictive research

Answer 33

Predictions about future through identifying future patterns. Oriented towards elections. Not focused on in on the course

Question 34

Choosing a Research design

Answer 34

• make decisions based on theory out there.
• In explanatory research: you have to think about the variation you want to explain.
• Level of analysis

*The type of data you have to collect to answer your research question

• Probabilistic or deterministic causational perspective
• choice of methods

Question 35

Theory testing

Answer 35

1. Start with describing/ analysing theory.
2. Hypotheses
3. Measurement/ sampling etc
4. Data collection
5. Data analysis
6. Either data analysis makes it so there are implications for hypothesis; so either confirm/ reject theory. When you reject; a new theory is needed.
   Deductive –> when theory-testing

• Describing/analyzing theory.
• Formulating hypotheses, measurement, and data collection.
• Data analysis leading to hypothesis confirmation or rejection.

Question 36

Theory building

Answer 36

When there is not much or no theory to build on.
1. Start with data collection
2. Data analysis
3. Implications for new hypothesis/ theory
4. When implications for hypothesis, it results in a theory
5. When new theory is needed, a new hypothesis is needed and then you go through the process of measurement, data collection, data analysis, implications hypothesis again, and making hypothesis in the end

Question 37

Types of Research designs

Answer 37

1. Single case –> short time + space ( one case in time)
2. Comparative case study–> different case studies at a specific time point
3. Periodisation study –> one case across different points in time

Question 38

Brainstorm qualitative research questions?

Answer 38

• List political science or international relations terms
• HIghlight complex processes, beliefs, opinions or motivations
• Create research questions by associating themes, often starting with ‘‘how’’ why?’