The Quantitative-Qualitative Divide: Numbers versus Words?

Question 1

Social Science and Epistemology

Answer 1

• In the previous lecture, the concepts of epistemology and ontology were introduced. In this context, epistemology refers to how knowledge is acquired and what kind of knowledge is possible in the social sciences.
• Positivist assumptions propose that social events have causes, implying that there is an explanation for social phenomena. They also argue that social phenomena and human behavior are directly observable, making the social sciences comparable to the natural sciences. This viewpoint treats the social world as something that can be objectively studied and measured.
• In contrast, interpretivism offers a different perspective. It conceives of the social world as socially constructed and emphasizes the importance of understanding how humans attach meaning to social phenomena.
• Realism takes a middle-ground approach, acknowledging that there is an objective reality for social science to investigate but also recognizing the limitations of direct observation and the role of human agency.

Question 2

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Answer 2

Definitions:
* Qualitative research is typically expressed in natural language, using words to describe and interpret findings. This often involves narratives and descriptions of social phenomena.
* Quantitative research, on the other hand, is expressed in numbers and statistical models. It focuses on measuring and analyzing data using numerical values.
* Qualitative research often relies on noncomparable observations. Think of it as a detective’s work, where the researcher collects diverse sources of information and pieces together a narrative.
* Quantitative research seeks to establish relationships or covariation between variables using comparable observations. This often involves statistical analysis.

• Both quantitative and qualitative research are empirical approaches used to study political and social phenomena. These terms refer to the ways in which data is collected and analyzed.
• It’s essential to note that no topic or type of data is inherently qualitative or quantitative. The choice of method depends on the research question, the goals of the study, and the nature of the data available.
• Political scientists use a variety of tools and standards, and there is no strict division that forces research into either the quantitative or qualitative category.

Question 3

Does the Type of Data Matter?

Answer 3

• The type of data used in research can influence the choice of research strategy. Some strategies are inherently qualitative, such as unstructured interviews, ethnography, and archival work.
• However, all types of data can be quantified to some extent. Even qualitative data can be coded and analyzed in a more quantitative manner, making it adaptable to both approaches.
• The choice of data and analysis style depends on the research question and objectives. For instance, when examining the relationship between political parties and their treatment of female candidates, both qualitative and quantitative data can be valuable, and the choice depends on the specific hypotheses being tested.

Question 4

Contrasting Affinities (quantitative vs qualitative)

Answer 4

• Qualitative research is particularly useful when there is limited existing research on a topic. It excels at offering in-depth insights and is well-suited to filling in the gaps left by quantitative research.
• Qualitative research can be especially valuable when the scope of the research objective is limited by time and space. It allows researchers to explore specific cases in great detail.
• Quantitative research, in contrast, is well-suited for developing broad theories that aim for generalization across a wide range of cases.

Question 5

Approach to Explanation (qualitative vs quantitative)

Answer 5

• Most qualitative research seeks to explain outcomes in a limited number of cases. It often does so in terms of necessary and/or sufficient causes. In other words, it looks for combinations of factors in specific sequences that are sufficient to cause the outcome of interest.
• Quantitative research, on the other hand, aims to estimate the average causal effect of one or more causes across a population of cases. It seeks to provide generalizable findings that apply to a broader range of cases.

Question 6

Conception of Causation (qualitative vs quantitative)

Answer 6

• Qualitative researchers tend to frame their findings in terms of necessary and/or sufficient causes. This means they look for combinations of factors that, when present in particular sequences, are sufficient to cause a specific outcome.
• In contrast, quantitative research focuses on estimating the average causal effect of a cause on an outcome. This approach is more concerned with identifying patterns and relationships across a large number of cases.

Question 7

Scope and Generalization (qualitative vs quantitative)

Answer 7

• Qualitative research often defines the scope of a theory within a limited range of cases. It might focus on a specific set of countries, time periods, or conditions.
• Quantitative research requires many observations, which encourages the development of broader theories that can be generalized to a larger population of cases.