Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

poli 397 > post midterm > Flashcards

post midterm Flashcards

1
Q

what is the comparative method

A

a method of comparison between cases to find similarities and differences between cases

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

types of comparative method

A

single case study- using one single case to build or test a theory

small n-case study- only a small number of cases fit the phenomenon

large n-case study- unit of analysis allows for a large sample and many variables to be evaluated at the same time.

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

How to use the comparative method: small n case studies (things to watch out for)

A

When there are is a specific case or phenomenon that you want to investigate.

  • things to watch out for:
  • number of variables (don’t want too few cases and too many variables)
  • selection bias: cases that prove your theory
  • omitted variables; unaccounted variable can lead to a spurious relationship; relationship between x and y is caused by z
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How to use comparative method: small n case studies (strategies)

A

Most similar systems design

most different systems design

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

how to use comparative method: small n case studies (best used for..)

A
  • theory development/building and deep investigation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Politics of Third Wave Feminism by Evans

A

small n case study: that federal vs unitary system affects the participation of women in government

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

How to use comparative method: Large N studies

A
  • quantitative analysis: data analysis, case selection, data collection
  • variables are most important
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How to use comparative method: large N studies (things to look out for)

A
  • careful of equivalence of meaning and conceptual stretching, does my definition of the variables mean what I want it to mean across borders
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

how to use comparative method: (time wise)

A

cross-sectional vs. longitudinal.

Historical events research- cross-sectional with a single case

historical process research- longitudinal with a single case

cross-sectional comparative research- cross-sec. and one single case

comparative historical research- longitudinal with many cases

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

Why use the comparative method

A

Use it to test theory
- test theory on new cases
- develop new theories and cases
- it helps guard against false uniqueness- “too narrow of an explanation for a large phenomenon.
false universalism- if it happens in one place it happens everywhere.

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

What is the Ethnographic approach

A

how we study people and how data is collected in those studies, more broadly it includes different data collection and data analysis methods.

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

participant observation

A

field research; a method of data collection most common in ethnography

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

why do ethnography

A
  • studying people in there natural habitat is important because there is a difference with what people say and what people do.
  • good for exploratory research
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

informants, field

A

informants- people being studied

field- the research setting

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

what are the key concerns for ethnographic research

A
  • case selection (generalizability is not a priority in this case)
  • access to research information
  • trust, rapport and objectivity
  • replicability
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Richard Fenno, Home Style- observing members of the US congress in their home districts

A

example of participant observation, took mental notes, asked a lot of questions, a lot of participating observation

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

The Politics of Third Wave Feminism

A

example of ethnographic research: she used semi-structured interview, attendance and feminist gatherings

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

Focus group

A

observation of the group dynamic, seeing how people interact with each other

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

types of questions during an interview

A

closed vs. open questions

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

types of interviews

A

structured- closed questions, same order, survey style (many people)

semi-structured- mix of short and long questions, allowed follow ups/modifications

unstructured- long, complex, no set questions/general topics

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

When to use the interview method

A
  • is the info you need only available through talking to people
  • when doing qualitative analysis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

things to consider when choosing the type of interview

A
  • exploratory (qualitative) vs. explanatory (quantitative)
  • is topic straightforward or complex
  • are costs, time and available facilities an issues
  • is reliability or validity of answers threatened
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

two types of interviews in political science

A

expert interview

elite interview

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

3 steps in data analysis

A

data reduction- reduce it down to common themes

data coding- what are the commonalities and what will you call these commonalities

analysis- what does the data mean, do my conclusions make sense in terms of internal validity

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

quantitative analysis happens in what type of interview

A

close-ended/structured interview in which there are many responses

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

Dr. Roberta Rice’s research project

A

why are indigenous parties successful in some Latin American countries but not in others.
Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile

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

Rice’s methods

A

100+ semi-structured interviews, participant observations, organizational documents

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

what is an interview

A

a directed conversation that elects the inner views of the respondent .

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

advantages of research

A
  • rich data- that you can’t find in textbooks or online
  • its in the respondents’ own words
  • you can learn new things from interviewees, gaining understanding
  • interview and human interaction is a source, body language what gets them excited what makes them uncomfortable
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Disadvantages of interviews

A
  • interviews may not be truth (need to confirm or validate what info respondents give)
  • time consuming
  • difficult to analyze and generalize from that
  • interview effects- Hawthorne effect (observation changes people’s actions) Rosenthal effect (other’s expectations of the target affect the target’s performance)
    lack of standardization- your question may not mean the same thing across the board, sometimes you have to rework your question.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

7 steps in interview research

A
  1. identify the requirements for research and choose an interview type that fits those requirements
  2. identify participants - secondary research on people
  3. design an interview guide- intro: explain who u are and the purpose of interview, questions, leave it open to interviewee to add.
  4. background research on interview so you can ask the right questions
  5. conduct interview- ethics approval must be signed before
  6. analysis afterword of notes.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Experimental method

A

method that allows you to control variables in order to remove externalities and verify variables and causal variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

experimental method- intervention

A

treatments or settings are manipulated or controlled by a researcher i.e lab setting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Experimental design

A

pre-test: measure outcome of control and experiment group before intervention

intervention- no treatment to control, treatment to experimental group

post-test- measure outcome of both and compare and analyze

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

when do we use the experimental method

A

control over the environment, and can find causal variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

relationship between control and validity in experimental method

A

the more control over the situation, the less external validity and vise versa

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Dr. Tuxhorn’s study

A

explain the suprot for Canada-China trade agreement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Dr. Tuxhorn’s research question and research design

A

Research question: is Canadian support for China driven by fears of the US

Research design: randomized sample: split into control and experimental group

  • control group left alone
  • group 1: add info of US protectionism
  • group 2: Grains of US over Canada
  • looked to which group would be more supportive of trade with China
  • gains of the US had more support for China
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

why one can’t assume correlation = causation

A

there are many factors that come into play and could be causing the phenomenon

40
Q

relative gains

A

how will change of info change the way people act/react

41
Q

relationship between random sampling and external validity

A

positive correlation

42
Q

externalities

A

variables that one cannot control

43
Q

Ethical problems that come with talking to people about political issues

A

talking to people about how they should vote affects voter turn out and voting so it impacts actually politics, and may favour a particular party

44
Q

ideal research design

A

comparing fictional or what if scenarios and there effects

- what if NAFTA negotiations never happened vs. if they did?

45
Q

what is the survey method

A

standard questionnaire, usually involves many participants.

46
Q

why use the survey method

A
  • it is used for describing and explaining attitude in land behavioural phenomena, common form of data collection
47
Q

validity, reliability measurement error of measures in survey method

A

surveys are good at showing what a section of the population generally think, but can at times misrepresent them.

measurement error- questions attempt to measure political attitudes and behaviours, but because answers to this are abstract it becomes hard to measure (i.e respondents don’t remember, lie and, unwilling to reveal personal views more)

validity- the ability for the questions to fully capture the concept and what its trying to measure.

reliability- is the questioned answered in the same way across the board.

48
Q

two types of survey methods

A

self-administered vs. supervised

49
Q

pros and cons of supervised surveys

A

con: interviewer-effect
Pro: increased comprehension of question

50
Q

when to use the survey method

A
  • depends on research question: is the research question sensitive to the interviewer effect, the social desirability effect, recall problems (would it be easier to get accurate information with a survey rather than face to face?)
51
Q

errors in representation of sample

A

A correct sample allows for accurate description of the data,

coverage error- not everyone has an equal chance of being selected

sampling error- the degree to which the sample is different from the actual population

non-response error- sample is not reflective because participants refused to participate

52
Q

response rate

A

(number of completed interviews) / (number of attempted interviews)
- this happens with cellphones, robo calling

53
Q

What helps increase response rate

A
  • incentives,

- actual person instead of robo calling

54
Q

Importance of random sampling

A
  • avoiding coverage error- everyone has equal chance of being selected
  • more representative of the population therefore increases validity
  • avoiding selection bias
55
Q

types of random sampling

A

simple random sampling
systematic sampling
stratified sampling
cluster sampling

56
Q

non-random sampling

A

when you intentionally pick your sample

57
Q

why use non-random sampling

A

there no sample frame (natural pool to pick from i.e terrorists), limited time and resources, case study, or small sample study

58
Q

Examples of non-random sampling and definitions

A

quota- taking people in as they come (the first thirty people who walk into the store)

purposive- picking a specific sample because of the way it relates to your case study or answers your research question

snowball- asking interviewees if there is anyone else you can talk to

59
Q

systematic sampling

A

randomly selecting where you start/how you pick. example: Skip interval: divide population by the sample and (4) you pick every fourth person from the pool

60
Q

stratified sampling

A

randomizing at different levels:

61
Q

cluster sampling

A

the sample is formed in groups and from those groups you pick individual parts as your sample, church attendance- look at groups of different churches and pick attendants from those churches to sample

62
Q

Rules of a good questionnaire

A
  1. convince people to participate
  2. includes all info you need to collect (valid measures of the factors of interest)
  3. elicits acceptable accurate information
63
Q

parts of a questionnaire (intro)

A

intro- states purpose (this has to be vague a not to skew answers), expresses gratitude (build rapport),
states ethics- anonymous and voluntary

64
Q

order of questions in a questionnaire

A

questions should be:

  • easy to answer, interesting, close-ended.
  • general questions should come before specific ones (general perception of crime rather before personal experience, to avoid skewed response)
  • questions directly related to survey question should be a the beginning of questionnaire
  • group common questions together
  • include instructions to avoid measurement error i.e 0 means not at all
65
Q

what to consider when writing questions

A
  • the goal: using the questions to create valid and reliable measurements of the key concepts
  • the 4 types of response processes
  • is the question simple and clear/easy to understand
  • do they need certain info to answer the question, do they have the info, can my question be interpreted the same way cross the board (across cultures/languages)
66
Q

Rules for close-ended questions

A
  • should be only one category for every possible response.
  • avoid don’t know response in order to assure a response for each question- opinion isn’t there are or not it is created as you ask questions
  • avoid leading questions
67
Q

response set

A

similarity of responses across range of questions ex: agree or disagree to a set of questions

68
Q

acquiescence bias

A

the tendency of respondents to agree with statements presented to them, in order to avoid this you use (strongly agree, strongly disagree scale)

69
Q

social desirability and how to avoid it

A

the need to answer what would most be socially accepted. this can be avoided through an introduction to the question to soften the pressure.

70
Q

Franceschet research

A

Directorio Legislativo- looking at how the gender of politicians affected their political careers and demographics
process of research:
1. collecting data-
2. figuring out research questions that best take into account all the variables at play i.e does the gender affect the degree level of politician
3. making data usable- coding
4. consult with experts to make sure questions make sense.

71
Q

How is quantitative data used?

A

to describe and explain data

72
Q

what are the 3 different levels of measurement in quantitative analysis?

A

nominal- mutually exclusive categories cannot be numerically ranked and numbers assigned to them don’t have a meaning. lowest level of measurement

ordinal- the categories have an order which can be ranked, but the numbers assigned do no have a meaning and distance between the categories is not equal. high level of measurement

interval- has the same qualities as ordinal and nominal but the numbers assigned to them have intrinsic meaning and value. i.e level of income or number of children in a home. The highest level of measurement

73
Q

discrete. continuous measures

A

discrete- break between each measure(1, 2, 3)

continuous- break point between measures (1-1000, 1001-1009)

74
Q

what is univariate analysis

A

statistical measures used to summarize the characteristics of a single variable

75
Q

2 common statistics in univariate analysis

A

proportion- share of cases relative to the whole population on a 0 to 1 scale (50 women in a sample of 125=0.4 proportion)
percentage- proportion times 100 (40% women)

76
Q

what are measures of central tendency

A

a way of measuring the central value in a frequency distribution using mean (gives the most information), median, mode (gives the least information)

77
Q

frequency distribution

A

describes the entire distribution if responses and summarizes the number of cases for each different response

78
Q

comparison of utility: mean, medium, mode and what level of measurement does each use

A

mode- list utility, tells the most common response not much else and can change dramatically with the addition of a few new cases, so its not really stable. (nominal)

median- uses ordinal data because in order to determine the median you have to order the variables from lowest to highest. Looks at the middle value of distribution

mean- most useful because it says where is the case relative to others, is it above or below average, but the medium says more about the most common case if there are outliers

79
Q

what is measure of dispersion and how do you do it

A

definition: measuring how standard a particular case is now that you know the standard.
we do that with: nominal, ordinal, and interval

nominal- there is no measure of dispersion, doesn’t talk about the case relative to another just indicates how many cases there are

ordinal- tells us about the spread of the data by giving us the range (the highest - the lowest value)

interval- standard deviation; calculating how far the case deviates from the mean and in what direction. But

80
Q

rules for tables and charts

A
  1. straightforward, clear, informative
  2. description in the text below
  3. clear title, clear labels,
  4. note the source of the data
81
Q

Frequency tables

A

a way of representing the distributions of a single variable, the table provides information of the distribution of responses on all categories

82
Q

utility of bar chart, pie chart, and line graph

A

bar chart- good for variation of percentage in the data/differences across categories
pie chart- good for variation of percentage in the data/ differences across categories
line graph- showing a trend over time, continuous longitudinal data

83
Q

two types of textual analysis

A

content and discourse analysis

84
Q

content analysis

A
  1. analysis of content of the text to finding the meaning behind it
  2. capturing and coding the characteristics of the text
  3. the act of studying has no effect on those you are studying
85
Q

manifest vs. latent content analysis

A

manifest- coding the easiest characteristics to find within a text
latent- interpretations of meanings, motives and purposes in a text

86
Q

steps of content analysis

A
  1. select text to be analyzed
  2. determine the categories or topics of interest you are looking for in the text
  3. determine the unite of analysis: every sentence, phrase, paragraph etc.
  4. assign different code to the categories you determined in step 2
  5. code
  6. arrange the codes to provide a description of the variables or show a relationship between variables
  7. draw conclusions from these relationships that link back/help answer the research question
87
Q

what is analysis

A

process of attaching meaning to data and connecting this meaning back to the research question

88
Q

Discourse analysis

A

how discourse plays a role in creating, resisting and redistributing social power abuse, dominance and inequality. The analysis is when we see how the discourse establishes a particular context within the text and identifying the impact of that discourse on power relations

89
Q

advise on writing

A

punctuation:
- don’t use a comma to connect to independent clauses
- parenthetic expressions in-closed with a comma
- semi-colon should not be used to join incomplete sentences

90
Q

parts of a paper

A

Introduction: present the topic, the research question, how you will argue it and how the paper will proceed.

body: develop your arguments, and address counterarguments, discuss findings and data
conclusion: recaps the arguments and connects it back to the thesis, address limitations of research and what needs to be done moving forward.

91
Q

what is critical thinking

A

the systematic evaluation of beliefs by rational standards

92
Q

arguments that work

A
  1. argument supported by evidence
  2. argument that builds on existing theory
  3. clear statement of claim being made
  4. argument is logical
93
Q

argument that doesn’t work

A
  1. argument with irrelevant premise- based on emotion
  2. arguments with false/unacceptable premise
    3.
94
Q

strategies for successful writing

A

mind map to brainstorm ideas, create an outline prior to writing

95
Q

bivariate vs. multivariate analysis

A

bivariate- analysis of the relationship between two variables
multivariate- analysis between the relationship between three or more variables.

poli 397 (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions