2016. 'Qualitative Methods in Political Science', in: Handbook of Research Methods and Applications in Political Science, Edward Elgar Publishing, in press. (original) (raw)
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American Journal of Qualitative Research, 2024
This essay reviews classic works on the philosophy of science and contemporary pedagogical guides to scientific inquiry in order to present a discussion of the three logics that underlie qualitative research in political science. The first logic, epistemology, relates to the essence of research as a scientific endeavor and is framed as a debate between positivist and interpretivist orientations within the discipline of political science. The second logic, ontology, relates to the approach that research takes to investigating the empirical world and is framed as a debate between positivist qualitative and quantitative orientations, which together constitute the vast majority of mainstream researchers within the discipline. The third logic, methodology, relates to the means by which research aspires to reach its scientific ends and is framed as a debate among positivist qualitative orientations. Additionally, the essay discusses the present state of qualitative research in the discipline of political science, reviews the various ways in which qualitative research is defined in the relevant literature, addresses the limitations and trade-offs that are inherently associated with the aforementioned logics of qualitative research, explores multimethod approaches to remedying these issues, and proposes avenues for acquiring further information on the topics discussed.
The optimization of the development of quantitative instruments is a key concern in any social science endeavour. Whilst instrument development has been for many years restricted to mono-method approaches, a new era has come that combines qualitative techniques to enhance the development of quantitative instruments. This approach constitutes one of the main rationales of conducting mixed method studies which in political science research, in contrast to the adjacent social science disciplines, has been scarcely applied. The paper's rationale is two-fold; a) to review the three-phase exploratory design for the optimization of the development of quantitative instruments via qualitative techniques and b) to present the main benefits and challenges of the approach for political science research. Instrument development via qualitative techniques applies an inductive-deductive and an emic-etic perspective that increases construct-related validity in cross-sectional political science studies and eliminates construct bias in cross-national and cross-cultural ones. The paper's main thesis is that the mixed method approach is not the panacea of all research inquiries. However, the optimization of quantitative instrument development via qualitative techniques may adequately serve mixed method's fundamental principal, i.e., maximizing the potency and minimizing the weaknesses derived from the amalgamation of the two methods to enhance the validity of political studies' conclusions.
A Sea Change in Political Methodology
Shifting debates on what constitutes " science " reveal competing claims about methodology. 2 Of course, in its origin the term " science " means " knowledge, " and researchers obviously hold a wide spectrum of positions on how to produce viable knowledge. Within this spectrum, we compare two alternative meanings of science, advanced by scholars who seek to legitimate sharply contrasting views of qualitative methods. This comparison points to a sea change in political science methodology. 3 1 This article draws on the Introductions to Parts I and II of Brady and Collier, Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards, 2nd edn. (Lanham, MD.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010). 2 Morgan (1996) provides a broad overview of rival views of science, encompassing the natural, biological, and social sciences. 3 For our own work, we share David Freedman's (2010a) view of plurality in scientific methods, and we also recognize social versus natural science as partially different enterprises. Yet the two can and should strive for careful formulation of hypotheses, intersubjective agreement on the facts being analyzed, precise use of data, and good
Asian Social Science, 2013
There are explicit methodological tensions among researchers in the qualitative and quantitative tracks of social science research. In this paper, (1) we highlight the tensions by making a comparison of the two traditions in terms of their ontological and epistemological paradigms, strengths and weaknesses. Then, (2) we examine the possibility of mediating the methodological tensions through the use of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) methodology. Our conclusions are that (1) both qualitative and quantitative research traditions are equally scientific and relevant to the social science research, and so, choice can be made to use either of the two approaches or combine them depending on the nature and purpose of the study. We also argue (2) that although the attempt to resolve the qualitative-quantitative tensions through QCA methodology is promising, QCA should not be regarded as a competing but a complementary approach to the two.
Qualitative Research in Political Science Syllabus FS 2017
This course introduces the students to the theoretical and practical fundamentals of designing and doing qualitative research in political science. It covers the basic techniques for designing and conducting qualitative research as well as for collecting, interpreting, and analyzing qualitative data. This course will primarily focus on the different qualitative methods and techniques such as interviews, participant observations, and archival work. Students will be exposed to both the theoretical (what is qualitative research? Can it meet standards of scientific evidence?) and practical (what are the best practices in doing an interview? How does one maintain good field notes?) debates on qualitative research in the discipline. While this course will primarily benefit students who intend to pursue qualitative research, especially those who will do fieldwork, the principles and practical skills discussed in the course can complement other traditions of doing research, including mixed-methods strategies. Finally, because in research, much is learned by doing, this course requires that you get your hands dirty by doing writing exercises.
Qualitative research and public policy: The challenges of relevance and trustworthiness
2011
This paper examines the relationship between qualitative research and public policy. For decades, qualitative and quantitative methodologists have debated the merits of one perspective in relation to others. Scholars, using diverse epistemological and ontological stances, have contested different beliefs about the criteria for judgment of rigorous research. Yet, such exchanges routinely ignore the unique ways in which qualitative research can inform policy. In this paper, the authors acknowledge previous examinations, and also intend to create a new discourse. The authors present the limitations of qualitative research; these limitations have historically been the justifications used by individuals to discount the use of qualitative research for policy studies. They conclude with the need to refocus on the usefulness of qualitative research and offer an evolving set of criteria for conducting policy-related research. The purpose is neither to oppose nor to diminish select methodologies; instead, it is to suggest a complimentary suite of qualitative and quantitative approaches to better investigate social issues.
The Philosophy and Methods of Political Science
The Philosophy and Methods of Political Science, 2016
The course is based around my new book of this title and also extends into the field of professional practice. Sessions are based around chapters of the book, though I might cover the ground in a slightly different order from the book. Students are advised to read the book before the course so that the material is relatively familiar and can be discussed more easily. Supplementary reading is suggested at the end. This is provided for students to follow up on topics. The course is designed to examine explanation in political science and foster careful consideration of what types of method are appropriate for different research questions. It does not teach research methods as such. I do not teach any specific qualitative or quantitative techniques, but rather explore what we can do with different methods. The readings below are not required for the sessions; rather they enable students to follow up on topics. A more comprehensive list can be provided. Expectations are what students are expected to comprehend after the relevant session. READING Students should read the relevant chapters of Keith Dowding, The Philosophy and Methods of Political Science, London: Palgrave, 2016 before the course. The reading below is not required, but any reading prior to the course will be helpful. These suggestions are to enable students to follow up on topics that take their interest and as it is useful for their own work.