Lecture 2 - Research Design I Flashcards
(8 cards)
1
Q
Unit of analysis
A
Social units or elements which are the focus of the study. What is this study about?
Sometimes the Unit of analysis and the Unit of observation are the same
2
Q
Context
A
The broader context/field/topic of the study
3
Q
Unit of obeservation
A
Unit actually being observed in a study
Sometimes the Unit of analysis and the Unit of observation are the same
4
Q
Variable
A
Present in quantitative studies. A characteristic that can be measured, is numeric (measurable), and they ‘’vary’’ between observations
5
Q
Case-based vs. variable-based research
A
- Case based:
- Single Case Study
- Comparitive Case Study - Variable-based research:
- Variable based / Large-n Study
6
Q
Case study research
A
- Case study research engages in an empirical inquiry that investigates a particular phenomenon in real life within a specific bounded system
- The case study approach treats cases as holistic and complex units, rather than disaggregating into constituent variables
- Case-oriented research is sensitive to complexity and historical specificity.
7
Q
Single case studies
Case-based
A
- The intensive analysis of a single unit (the case), where the researcher’s goal is to understand a larger class of similar units (a population of cases)
- Appropriate to the theoretical problem/research question
- Representativeness: What is it a case of? What is the broader universe of cases?
- Context, unit of analysis, unit of observation and time period should be clear
- Types of single case studies:
1. Random case (not used)
2. Typical case
3. Extreme case
4. Deviant case
8
Q
Comparative case studies
Case-based
A
- What can you compare?
1. Same point in time, different cases
2. Same point in time, same place, different cases (e.g. actors)
3. Same case, different points in time (e.g. before/after an event)
4. Same case, across time (snapshots) - Types of comparative case studies:
1. Diverse cases
2. Most similar cases
3. Most different cases
