PO217 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Data Reporting, Nationstates
Document Summary
All political scientists confront the same set of fundamental questions when designing their research: does my study seek to uncover broad generalizations about the political world or am i seeking narrower, more in depth understanding of a particular phenomenon. Behavioral revolution: second half of the twentieth century. Computer and the development of mass survey techniques, quantitative approaches came to dominate the discipline. Quantitative: seeks to understand political life through the study of large quantity or number, of cases. A case is a single unit which could be individuals, legislatures organizations, nation states etc. Learn about politics though a more thorough study of a small number of cases. Three common misconceptions around the relationship between both: No research method is inherently qualitative or quantitate. Specific methodologies do not belong sole to one tradition or the other. Surveys can be both qualitative or qualitative as can interviews, focus groups etc.
