Research Design Flashcards

1
Q

What is research design? (Aim, Controversy, Positivist)

A

Aim: Expand boundaries of existing knowledge.
Controversy: Interpretive knowledge.
Positivist: Broad research of causal things.

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2
Q

Objective: Why do we conduct research?

A

Obtain valid answers reliably and efficiently.
Between epistemological and methodological approaches.
Applied (operational) epistemology – understanding how we know.

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3
Q

Levels of Generality, Level 1

A

Ontological, epistemological, broad theoretical outlook.
Explicit, not implicit.
Types: Ask about them.

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4
Q

Levels of Generality, Level 2

A

Research goal, question, theory relation, conceptualization, methodology.
Identifying characteristics of theoretical outlook.

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5
Q

Levels of Generality, Level 3

A

Cases, variables, evidence.

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6
Q

How do we identify a gap in our knowledge?

A

Recognizing absence in existing knowledge.

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7
Q

What is the general aim of research?

A

Advance the ‘state of the art.’
Motivation: Puzzles, lacunae, substantive problems.

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8
Q

When does theory come into play?

A

Guides operationalization, conceptualization.
Essential for behavioralist, large statistical methodology.

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9
Q

Is research methodology solely dependent on research questions?

A

Example: Investigating Trumpism may involve elite interviews, discourse analysis.

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10
Q

Experimental vs. Observational Designs: Why can’t social sciences often mimic laboratory experiments?

A

Complexity, ethical reasons.
Observational designs in political science.

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11
Q

What does the researcher control in observational methods?

A

Cases to study, number of cases, features to observe, data to collect.
Qualitative methods when quantitative is not available.

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12
Q

What is the first step in theory development?

A

Abstract, unobservable concepts.
Contestation, inductive element.
Operationalization follows conceptualization.

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13
Q

How does the choice of N impact research design?

A

Large-N: Positivist designs, causality.
Small-N: Interpretivist designs, understanding phenomena.

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14
Q

When is the comparative method preferred?

A

Focus on small-N case studies.
Alternative when experimental or statistical methods are not feasible.

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15
Q

How does MDSD work?

A

Find somewhat similar cases with different outcomes.
Identify common conditions, nuance understanding.

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16
Q

When is MSSD used?

A

Investigate positive and negative cases.
Identify differing conditions for outcomes.

17
Q

What are general limitations of MDSD & MSSD?

A

Sensitive to case selection/variable specification.
Limited cases, potential bias in theory testing.

18
Q

When are single case studies appropriate?

for what is it for?

A

If MDSD/MSSD not possible.
Comparative analysis important for understanding and explanation.

19
Q

(Scientific) Description Analytical Dimensions:

A

Theoretical influence on concepts.
Constructed nature of research concepts.

20
Q

(Scientific) Description Implications:

A

For empirical and normative theory.

21
Q

(Scientific) Description Representation:

A

Comprehensive representation of one/few cases (many variables) OR
Classification of many cases (one/few variables).

22
Q

(Scientific) Description Description and Classification:

A

Description aligns with classification.
Value: Selecting analytical dimensions for empirical projection.

23
Q

(Scientific) Description Classifications in Social/Political World:

A

Relative and more or less accurate.
First step to theory; somewhat unnatural.
Classifications cannot be neutral.

24
Q

(Causal) Explanation Associated with Foundationalist Ontologies:

A

Behavioralist, rational choice, Marxist, institutionalist approaches.

25
Q

(Causal) Explanation Probabilistic Nature:

A

Not deterministic but probabilistic.
Example: Sibling A going to uni doesn’t determine voting choices for Sibling B.

26
Q

(Causal) Explanation Causal Mechanism:

A

Understanding the process.
Strength of causal effect.

27
Q

(Causal) Explanation Retrospective vs. Prospective:

A

Analyzing what was vs. predicting what would be.

28
Q

Interpretation Seeking Understanding:

A

Associated with anti-foundationalist ontologies.
Embraced by constructivist and some feminist theoretical approaches.

29
Q

Interpretavist thought of Scientific Causation:

A

Interpretivists reject a ‘scientific concept of causation’ (Bevir and Rhodes 2016).
Emphasis on critical standpoint.

30
Q

Interpretation Political Actions:

A

Result from subjective reasons, meanings, and beliefs.
Focus on understanding rather than explanation (Weber).

31
Q

Interpretation of Constitutive Arguments

imply what to come about?

A

Emphasis on constitutive rather than causal arguments (Wendt).
Implying that something is to come about.

32
Q

Theory Development:

A

Involves theory generation, testing, etc.
Plays a role in operationalization and conceptualization.

33
Q

Behavioralist Approach:

A

Guides operationalizing and conceptualizing.
Utilizes large statistical methodology.