lecture 3 - RQ & Theories Flashcards
typical steps research (question)
- general research question ‘working hypothesis’
- literature review: what do we know and don’t know?
- theory/theoretical framework: relevant concepts and factors + expectations and hypotheses
- research design
problem/topic/puzzle -> general research question -> specific research question -> scientific inquiry
a research question needs to be/have
relevance
- scientific relevance: add to existing knowledge
- social relevance: real life applicability/effect or learning
usefulness
- RQ should guide and structure the whole research process (it is like a red threat, it should not be fuzzy)
- RQ needs to be researchable: possible to answer
- RQ needs to be new: knowledge gaps, new case etc.
*Meffert: sometimes replication is also good
!there can be tensions between relevance and researchability:
- general questions are often relevant, but not researchable
- specific questions are often researchable, but not really relevant
how to find a RQ?
- look at real world events and problems
!risky to look at ongoing events - relying on existing literature: look for gaps and controversies
!don’t do blind acceptance of ‘‘normal science’’ (Kuhn) - puzzle: unexpected contradictions
- replication
5 different types of RQs
- explanatory RQ: causal relationship = most common
- predictive RQ
- descriptive RQ
- prescriptive RQ
- normative RQ (more theoretical/philosophical rather than empirical)
(literature search)
- core books in library
*open stacks: go through the stacks at the library, open books - database via library, key words, Google Scholar
- reviews/state-of-the-art-articles
*e.g. handbooks, encyclopedias, Annual Review of Polsci - snowball sampling: follow references
other options: chatGPT, wikipedia
recommended: create an annotated bibliography of relevant sources
literature review
- summarizes
- evaluates
- can be used for conceptualization
!it makes sense to combine literature review and the theory section, but it depends on your RQ
theory
= simplified model of reality
tries to identify main mechanisms and key concepts/factors and how they relate to one another
*theoretical framework = more modest/better term to present what we commonly name ‘‘theory’’ (sets the bar a bit lower and is more realistic)
different types of theories
scope:
- grand theory = tries to explain everything (stay away from this, won’t be on exam)
- middle-range theory = more specific
process:
- inductive
- deductive
nature of the question:
- empirical
- normative
grounded theory
sounds like a theory, IS A METHOD
- dev. by Glaser and Strauss
= qualitative inductive research method for theory building (starts with data)
process:
- coding: close tentative coding of collected data
- sorting: compare, sort, and synthesize codes
- memo writing: write memos outlining/describing codes
hypothesis
= proposed explanation for a phenomenon, usually by stating some kind of (testable) cause-and-effect relationship
relationships between variables
- null relationship = concepts not related/linked
- covariance/correlation relationship = concepts occur at the same time
*can be positive (both occur) or negative (both don’t occur) - causal relationship = IV->DV
- reciprocal relationship = two concepts influence each other = IV <-> DV
example: democratic peace theory
Hawks and Doves - Femke E. Bakker
empirical regularity: democracies don’t go to war with each other
explanations for this regularity;
- liberal norms
- institutional explanations: checks-and-balances, audience costs for war
- system-level explanations: historical context, geographical proximity, economic links/trade
- decision-makers (microfoundations): based on beliefs, interests, leadership style
theory - Frey, Botan and Kreps
= a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena
exploratory vs confirmatory research
Confirmatory research: tested with evidence [hypothesis > research]
Exploratory research: operate as a guide to a process of discovery [research > hypothesis]
