Reading 1: Comparing Gov & Politics - An Overview

Question 1

Methodology

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Unit of Analysis

Answer 2

The object of study in comparative politics

Question 3

Level of Analysis

Answer 3

The level of study in comparative politics, ranging from the political system level to the individual level

Question 4

Variable

Answer 4

A changeable feature, factor, quantity or element

Question 5

What are the three different approaches to political research?

Answer 5

1) Experimental method
2) Statistical method
3) Comparative method

Question 6

What is the experimental method?

Answer 6

This method uses experimental and control groups to isolate the effects of different stimuli

Question 7

What is the statistical method?

Answer 7

Uses empirically (verifiable by observation/experience rather than theory/logic) observed data to tease out relationships among variables.

Question 8

Comparative method

Answer 8

Comparing a small number of cases in order to better understand their qualities, and to develop and investigate hypotheses, theories and concepts.

Question 9

What is considered one of the oldest tools of political science?

Answer 9

Comparison, found in the work Aristotle.

Question 10

What is argued regarding comparison and the study of politics?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What does Landman argue regarding the methods to use for comparative study of politics?

Answer 11

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)

Question 12

What method is the most popular/common in the comparative study of politics?

Answer 12

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?

Question 13

How many cases does the case study method use?

Answer 13

Single case

Question 14

What are the advantages of using a single case (in the case study method)?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What does the qualitative method involve?

Answer 15

Comparing two to a dozen or more cases (small-N)

Question 16

What are the advantages of the qualitative method?

Answer 16

Using more than one single case whilst being manageable

Question 17

Which method is best for stat analysis?

Answer 17

Quantitative

Question 18

The quantitative method is known as?

Answer 18

Large-N (n for number of cases)

Question 19

Disadvantages of the quantitative method

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Which research method is the most widely used strategy in politics?

Answer 20

Case study method

Question 22

List three bullet points about the case study method

Answer 22

1. Widely used in politics
2. A research method involving the detailed use of a particular object
3. Also the context which it exists within

Question 23

Difference between case and study?

Answer 23

Case: Investigation and analysis on a deeper level
Study: Account of an event that doesn’t venture beyond the event itself

Question 24

Case study

Answer 24

Adds value by giving a detailed illustration of a wider theme of interest

Question 26

Techniques used in case studies

Answer 26

1) Reading academic literature
2) Examining primary and secondary sources
3) Conducting interviews with participants and other observers
4) Experience