Reading 1: Comparing Gov & Politics - An Overview Flashcards
Methodology
The systematic analysis of the methods used in a given field of enquiry. It’s also used to describe the body of methods used in a discipline, or the means used to reach a particular set of conclusions.
Unit of Analysis
The object of study in comparative politics
Level of Analysis
The level of study in comparative politics, ranging from the political system level to the individual level
Variable
A changeable feature, factor, quantity or element
What are the three different approaches to political research?
1) Experimental method
2) Statistical method
3) Comparative method
What is the experimental method?
This method uses experimental and control groups to isolate the effects of different stimuli
What is the statistical method?
Uses empirically (verifiable by observation/experience rather than theory/logic) observed data to tease out relationships among variables.
Comparative method
Comparing a small number of cases in order to better understand their qualities, and to develop and investigate hypotheses, theories and concepts.
What is considered one of the oldest tools of political science?
Comparison, found in the work Aristotle.
What is argued regarding comparison and the study of politics?
Comparison is the “methodological core” of the scientific study of politics, used to mean the study of a few, carefully selected cases using a middle level of analysis.
What does Landman argue regarding the methods to use for comparative study of politics?
It depends on:
1) combination of the research question asked
2) time & resources available
3) the method with which the researcher is most comfortable
4) epistemological preferences of the researcher (how they believe that understanding can be best achieved)
What method is the most popular/common in the comparative study of politics?
Case study method with many subsidiary choices;
1) how many cases are appropriate
2) why selection of cases are appropriate
3) are the best approaches using qualitative, quantitative or historical methods?
How many cases does the case study method use?
Single case
What are the advantages of using a single case (in the case study method)?
1) Depth
2) Other researchers can use two or more single-country studies to explore broader similarities & differences
3) Single cases - fully compared with an ideal type or typology
What does the qualitative method involve?
Comparing two to a dozen or more cases (small-N)
What are the advantages of the qualitative method?
Using more than one single case whilst being manageable
Which method is best for stat analysis?
Quantitative
The quantitative method is known as?
Large-N (n for number of cases)
Disadvantages of the quantitative method
1) Take more time + resources
2) Likely to be affected by variable quality + availability of data
3) Could be more broad in terms information than depth
4) Needs to be compared with a single case or small-N studies
Which research method is the most widely used strategy in politics?
Case study method
List three bullet points about the case study method
- Widely used in politics
- A research method involving the detailed use of a particular object
- Also the context which it exists within
Difference between case and study?
Case: Investigation and analysis on a deeper level
Study: Account of an event that doesn’t venture beyond the event itself
Case study
Adds value by giving a detailed illustration of a wider theme of interest
Techniques used in case studies
1) Reading academic literature
2) Examining primary and secondary sources
3) Conducting interviews with participants and other observers
4) Experience
