Method Flashcards
What is a method
Cohen and Manion (1980) in Research Methods in Education define methods as the range of approaches used in research to gather data which are to be used to draw inferences and make predictions.
•Methods are those techniques associated with positivistic (scientific) model and deployed to eliciting responses to predetermined questions, recording measurements, describing phenomena and performing experiments.
•Methods also cover specific and general features of the research enterprise such as forming concepts and hypotheses, building models and theories, sampling procedures, data analysis and presentation.
Who is the father of methodology
Francis bacon
3 research methods
Behavioural
Traditional
Post behavioural
what is methodology
A methodology is the design process for carrying out research or the development of a procedure and is not in itself an instrument for doing those things.
The Roles of Methodology
i)Methodology provides rules for communication.
Methodology provides rules for reasoning
Methodology provides Rules for Inter-subjectivity
Intellectual Foundation Stones of Behaviouralism
) Belief in the Existence of Laws & Regularities
ii) Insistence on Observation and Verification
)Insistence on the Adoption of Appropriate Techniques
Insistence on Measurement and Quantification
Insistence on Value-neutrality
Emphasis on the Systematization of Knowledge
pure science
Inter-disciplinary or Integratory Research
Behavioural Approaches to Studying Politics
i) Systems Approach
This approach makes an attempt to explain the relationship of political life with other aspects of social life.
The idea of a system was originally borrowed from biology by Talcott Parsons who first popularized the concept of social system.
Later on, David Easton further developed the concept of a political system. According to this approach, a political system operates within the social environment
Behavioural Approaches to Studying Politics
Structural-Functional Approach
This approach treats the society as a single inter–related system where each part of the system has a definite and distinct role to play.
The structural-functional approach may be regarded as an offshoot of the system analysis. This approach emphasizes the structures and functions.
Gabriel Almond is a supporter of this approach. He defines political systems as a special system of interaction that exists in all societies performing certain functions. According to him, the main characteristics of a political system are comprehensiveness, inter-dependence and existence of boundaries.
Behavioural Approaches to Studying Politics
Communication Theory Approach
This approach tries to investigate how one segment of a system affects another by sending messages or information.
It was Robert Weiner who first spoke about this approach.
Later on Karl Deutsch developed it and applied it in Political Science. Deutsch believes that the political system is a network of communication channels and it is self regulatory. He further believes that the government is responsible for administering different communication channels. This approach treats the government as the decision making system.
Behavioural Approaches to Studying Politics
Decision Making Approach
This approach tries to find out the characteristics of decision makers as well as the type of influence the individuals have on the decision makers.
Scholars like Richard Synder and Charles Lindblom have developed this approach. A political decision which is taken by a few actors influences a larger society and such a decision is generally shaped by a specific situation. Therefore, it takes into account psychological and social aspects of decision makers also.
David Easton offered seven characteristics of post-behaviouralism which he called the Credo of Relevance.
These included:
i) Preference for Substance to Technique;
ii) Emphasis on social change than on social preservation;
iii) Emphasis on relevant practical research than on abstract analysis;
iv) Recognizes the important role of values as propelling force behind knowledge;
v) Calls on political scientists to play active role in shaping the destiny of the society; vii)calls on Political Scientists to have a sense of commitment and action by engaging in action science rather than contemplative science.
viii) Calls for the politicisation of the profession.
