Text Ch.7 Flashcards
small n rsearch
this detailed examination and/or comparison of particular phenomenon
- small n refers to small number of cases
- inductive understanding leads to qualitative research
case study
is a detailed analysis of a single discrete phenomenon
-begins from the observation of counter-intuitive
counter-intuitive
something that does not conform to our expectations
descriptive case study
is a case study in its purest form. The researcher knows little or nothing about the phenomenon;it is a puzzle;a counter intuitive.
- there may be an absence of theorizing or even of any meaningful description
- goal of descriptive case study is to describe the phenomenon as the basis of contributing to an emerging or future research agenda
scope conditions
explicit limits to which the research professes to make valid claims
theory testing case study: 2 types
is appropriate if one of two distinct counter-intuitive conditions is met; a phenomenon is expected to confirm a theory but refutes it or is expected to refute a theory but confirms it
-ultimate goal is theory modification
- .failed most-likely case: the former
- causes questions to be raised about the theories reality
- may falsify a theory if it posits a narrow causality:if a theory argues that A causes B ever though our instance of B is caused by something else, the study would falsify the assertion that A is necessary and sufficient cause of B
- most likely will just question the degree of probability or determinism that a theory asserts
- need to rethink theories claims - successful least-likely case: the latter
- falsificationis rarely the goal because the phenomenon is already expected to fail
- need to rethink theiries scope conditions
Key Takeaway Point: We must consider ethics at ____ stages of research.
ALL
Ethical Volations:
- Harm to Respondent
- Data fabrication
- Plagiarism
- Misleading One’s audience
Ethical Volations: 5
- Harm to Respondent
- Data fabrication
- Plagiarism
- Misleading One’s audience
- No Consent
HELP, DEMON PENIS MONSTER CHASING
Questionable research Practices: 2 explain both
- Selective Data manipulation
- ‘harking’ hypothesizing after results are known
- P-hacking dropping variables to obtain significant results - Selective Results presentation
- Cherry Picking
- Selective omission
- Data Snooping stopping study once desired result is reached
Selective Results Presentation: 3
- Selective Results presentation
- Cherry Picking
- Selective omission
- Data Snooping stopping study once desired result is reached
Selective Data Minipulation 2
- Selective Data manipulation
- ‘harking’ hypothesizing after results are known
- P-hacking dropping variables to obtain significant results
Risk in research can effect 4 groups:
- Research Team
- Society
- Research Subjects
- Acedemia
READY STEADY RUN ASHLEY
TCPS stands for
Tri-Council Policy Statement
TCPS research ethics: key principles(3)
- Justice
- Respect For Persons
- Concern for welfare
Informed Consent and capacity to consent
“Respect for Persons implies that those who lack the capacity to decide for themselves should nevertheless have the opportunity to participate in research that may be of benefit to themselves or others. Authorized third parties acting on behalf of these individuals decide whether participation would be appropriate.
. Voluntary, informed consent
• Consideration of undue influence
• Considerations with respect to incentives
Research Integrity and Record Keeping
Research documentation
- for replication
- for review/verification
Describe -‘harking’ and P-hacking
hypothesizing after results are known
dropping variables to obtain significant results
Requirements of TCPS 2: 8
- Informed consent and right to withdraw
- No cohersion with incentives or compensation
- Make sure people have the ability to consent
- Research has to be beneficial to all involved
- Deception and need to debrief
- Privacy and Confidentiality
- Appropriate Inclusion
- Record Keeping
In evaluating a case study there are four factors to consider:
- Are there clear definitions of the subject and object of the case study
- allows for answering of questions like “what” and “why” and “how” - Does the case study have riguous and clear conceptualization
- concepts are more useful and accurate when they allow greater awareness of the particular phenomenon being studied and when they better situate the phenomenon in the more general context
- well suited to provide conceptual refinement - Does the case study properly employ tracing?
- process tracing is the primary means by which case studies research generates causal resoning - does the case study make applicable generalizations to a wider population of cases?
- whether the findings of this case are true in other similar cases
Process tracing
a research method that generates causal pathways between the independent and dependent variables of a case by connecting a series of observations
Comparative research
is another form of Small n research
- systematically contrasts a number of cases in order to create stronger generalizations and thus broaden our knowledge of the political world
- it highlights the degree to which our conclusions about life and politics are filtered through our own preconceptions and are therefore culture bound
- enables the researcher to examine system level traits
Random sampling is ill suited for ______ research
comparative
-purposive sampling allows the researcher to use his past knowledge for the best comparisons
Most-Similar-Systems Design
.is to compare very similar systems, seeking to explain differences between them
- try to explain disparity in dependent or independent variable
Most-Different-Systems Design
.does the opposite of most similar, takes vastly dissimilar systems and attempts to explain commonalities between them
-how could diverse systems produce the same social outcome
Two types of Comparative research design?
Most-different
-usually easier to use this one because finding perfectly matching variables is hard
Most similar
equivalent measures
indicators that measure the same concept across different countries, political systems, or culltures
