Text Ch.2 Flashcards
Quantitative Tradition vs. Qualitative Tradition
does the study involve a more deductive process of counting an statistical analysis(using a set of premises to draw conclusions)
.an analytical approach involving the use of numbers, counting, and mathematics
-positivism: inherency and verifiability
or
a more inductive method of non numerical interpretation (forming conclusions from empirical evidence)
.an analytical approach involving the use of non-numerical techniques, including theming
-interpretivism: reality socially constructed
behavioural revolution
a period consuming the second half of the 20th century:1940-1960s
- with advent of the computer and the development of mass survey techniques, qualitative approaches came to dominate the discipline
- qualitative methods were overshadowed, their decline the product researchers’ preferences, trends in post-secondary education, and-to a more limited degree-persecution at the hands of some positivist puritans
Quantitative approach
Qualitative Research
seeks to understand political life through the study of large quantity, or number, of cases
- a case is a single unit, which could be indiividuals, legislatures, organizations, nation states, court decisions,etc
- economic constaints mean you cant have in-depth studies of large numbers of cases
- breadth over depth
.emphasis on the quality, or detail
- use more thourough study of a small number of cases
- depth over breadth
- equally rigourous but less structured
Epistemological
relating to the theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope, and the distinction between justified belief and opinion
Epistemological Differences Between the Quantitative and Qualitative: Describe each point for both
- Primary intent:
- Ultimate Objective:
- Approach to reality:
- Position of Researcher:
- Theory Development:
Quantitative:
- Test Hypo
- predefined postulates which they try to disconfirm
- answers they seek to verify or disprove - Generalizability
- Large N approach - Manipulative
- reality can be measured and configured - Distanced
- Primarily Deductive
- use past knowledge to infer on results
Qualitative:
- Address Questions
- broader research questions
- problems they seek to understand or address - Specificity
- small n approach - Organic
- adapting analytical techniques to environment - Instrumental
- Primarily Inductive
- results speak for themselves
Large N vs. small n
Large N:
large number of cases with less detail
small n:
produces more detailed understandings of specific cases
Methodological Differences: Quantitative vs Qualitative
- Data Format
- Data Reduction
- Substance of Data
- Data Recording
- Data Processing
- Data Reporting
- Standards of Evidence
Quantitative:
- Numerical(frequency, amount, salience, intensity)
- Variables(operationalized a priori)
- Meaning is Inherent(univocal)
- Standardized instrument
- Mathematical
- Statistical, graphical
- Probability
Qualitative:
- Non-numerical(words,images)
- Themes(emergent)
- Meaning is contingent(equivocal)
- Variable instrument
- Conceptual
- Verbal
- Plausibility
Operational Definition
Univocal
Equivocal
a researchers description of a variable for a particular study; often involves very specific issues, such as how to deal with non-responses, “dont knows” and the like; provides a way to measure an abstract concept for all cases in a study
having one meaning;unambiguous
Having the possibility of several different meanings;ambiguous
Trustorworthy Research must meat these three criteria in order to be deemed accurate:
valid, relable, objective
Trustworthiness in Qualitative and Quantitative Research
- Authenticity
- Portability
- Precision
- Impartiality
Quant:
- Measurement Validity
- External Validity(works outside of research context)
- Reliabiility
- Objectivity
Qual:
- Credibility
- Transferability
- Dependability
- are results consistent with data collected - Confirmability
- contains some elements of subjectivity
Validity: 2 kinds
how useful our design is in advancing the knowledge we are trying to obtain
Internal Validity:
.concerns the validity within the study: Are we measing what we believe we are measuring
External Validity:
.focus on the legitimacy of generalizations made from the study
Legitimacy/Trustworthiness Checks(12)
- Triangulation-multiple research designs in social research
- Detailed Findings-meticulous account of results for interpretation
- Established Techniques-using research designs that have been successful in the past
- Report Method-exact process to achieve results
- audit trail(detailed account of the coding protocol) - Discrepant Evidence-systematically weigh all evidence, not just focusing on hypo
- Publish Data
- Member checks-a process through which their inferences are verified by the subject of their analysis
- Intense Exposure-marinating in information and subjects, not just first take on evidence
- Research Teams
- Training and Pilot Studies-improves precision of research method
- Report Biases
- Peer Assessment
mixed methods research
Quantizing
Qualitize
the use of both qualitative and quantitative method in one study or sequentially in two or more studies
the process of supplementing qualitative data with numerical evidence
the process of supplementing quantitative data with non-numerical evidence
5 steps in evidence-based practice
- Formulate Question
- Sarch for best evidence available
- critically appraise evidence
- select intervention based on appraisal of evidence, expertise, context
- Monitor Progress
By the end of class, you should be able to:
- Explain what evidence is and the role of the scientific method in establishing evidence; and
- Discuss some of the challenges in establishing evidence
- data/information that provide basis for a position/point of view
– Argument supported by several different lines of evidence àconvincing argument
– Argument lacks evidence àargument is not convincing
3 types of evidence and explain them:
- Opinion
- believed to be true
- no or weak evidence - Assertion
- thought to be true but cannot be demonstrated as so yet
- weak or emergent evidence base - Fact
- demonstrated as true
- strong evidence
- by definition is correct
How do science and evidence connect
The essence of the scientific approach is the reliance on observation (induction) to support predictions about how the world works or to discredit predictions that don’t match our observations.”
-provides a way to move away from opinion to hard facts in public policy
Normative vs. Empirical
- Prescriptive
- Ideals, value judgments
- Descriptive, explanatory
- Observation
-Empirical Analysis feeds into Normative analysis, empirical is used in proving normative arguments
Why can social science be counted as within the same as Physical Science
Because of the way in which they go about research and providing evidence, peer review
-same scientific method used
.Science is an idea which is common to both physical and social sciences, a way of thinking
The scientific approach is the ______ approach
positivist
postulate
suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.
Underlying Assumptions of Scientific Approach(4)
and methods for each one
1.Causality/Determinism
-things happen in social world for a reason
Ex: voter turnout-something makes some people show up to vote, or not show up
-something causes something else
Method:•Seek to identify causal relationships
2.Meaasureable/Empiricism
.We are able to measure what is going on
-the assumption is that we have the capacity to measure the differences between views like vaccination vs non vaccination
Method:Seek to measure cause
3.Objectivity
.We as researchers have the ability to not allow biases to come in to play when researching
-a mother supporting vaccination interviewing anti vaccine
Method:Seek to reduce effect of researcher
4.Replication
.Knowledge comes from the repeated use of the scientific method and the confirmation of knowledge gained
Method:Seek to develop theory by repeating studies
Challenges of Evidence based policy (5)
- Evidence searching hard, time consuming
- Studies may not exist
- Studies may point in different directions
- Studies may be poorly done
- Intervention may not fit context
THree challenges to objectivity:
- Confirmation bias: “the seeking or interpreting of evidence in ways that are partial to existing beliefs, expectations, or a hypothesis in hand
- Disconfirmation Bias: tendency to highly critical of information that contradicts one’s preexisting beliefs
- Motivated reasoning: tendency to deliberately interpret evidence to confirm pre-existing belief –
Terminology: 1.Positivism 2• Determinism 3• Empiricism 4• Objectivity 5• Replication 6• Intersubjectivity 7• Scientific Method 8• Normative analysis 9• Empirical analysis
- a philosophical system that holds that every rationally justifiable assertion can be scientifically verified or is capable of logical or mathematical proof, and that therefore rejects metaphysics and theism.
- the doctrine that all events, including human action, are ultimately determined by causes external to the will. Some philosophers have taken determinism to imply that individual human beings have no free will and cannot be held morally responsible for their actions.
- the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience. Stimulated by the rise of experimental science, it developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, expounded in particular by John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume.
- (of a person or their judgment) not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.
- the action of copying or reproducing something.
- a situation in which a phenomenon is experienced by more than one person (i.e: two people acting independently, perceive the same thing)
- a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.
- a type of analysis that is value laden, in which indications of ought or should are often used
- It is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. Empiricism values such research more than other kinds. Empirical evidence (the record of one’s direct observations or experiences) can be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively.
