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Questions and Answers
What is assumed when the value items show similar patterns of correlations across all countries?
What is assumed when the value items show similar patterns of correlations across all countries?
Which of the following techniques is NOT mentioned as effective for multi-country surveys?
Which of the following techniques is NOT mentioned as effective for multi-country surveys?
What characteristic of content analysis can hinder the effectiveness of higher-level statistics for testing construct equivalence?
What characteristic of content analysis can hinder the effectiveness of higher-level statistics for testing construct equivalence?
What do Wirth and Kolb suggest as an alternative to using single indicators in comparative content analyses?
What do Wirth and Kolb suggest as an alternative to using single indicators in comparative content analyses?
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What is the primary requirement for case selection in comparative research?
What is the primary requirement for case selection in comparative research?
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What factor is considered essential to avoid measurement bias in comparative studies?
What factor is considered essential to avoid measurement bias in comparative studies?
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Which method is typically employed to move from mere description to explanation in case studies?
Which method is typically employed to move from mere description to explanation in case studies?
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Which issue arises due to inadequate translation of survey questions in comparative studies?
Which issue arises due to inadequate translation of survey questions in comparative studies?
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What is the focus of Most Similar Systems – Different Outcomes designs?
What is the focus of Most Similar Systems – Different Outcomes designs?
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Which type of data is typically not conducive to the application of higher-level statistics in content analysis?
Which type of data is typically not conducive to the application of higher-level statistics in content analysis?
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What do analytic narratives and process tracing primarily contribute to comparative research?
What do analytic narratives and process tracing primarily contribute to comparative research?
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In conducting a comparative study, what should researchers emphasize to ensure consistency?
In conducting a comparative study, what should researchers emphasize to ensure consistency?
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Which outcome do Most Different Systems – Similar Outcome designs aim to achieve?
Which outcome do Most Different Systems – Similar Outcome designs aim to achieve?
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In the context of comparative research, what is a 'critical' case?
In the context of comparative research, what is a 'critical' case?
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Which historical philosopher's methods are foundational to standard comparative analysis today?
Which historical philosopher's methods are foundational to standard comparative analysis today?
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What defines a case as an 'exemplary' case in comparative research?
What defines a case as an 'exemplary' case in comparative research?
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Which research method is commonly used to analyze similarities in political party manifestos?
Which research method is commonly used to analyze similarities in political party manifestos?
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What is a significant challenge in conducting multivariate analyses?
What is a significant challenge in conducting multivariate analyses?
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What technique is utilized to cluster cases into similar groups based on predefined variables?
What technique is utilized to cluster cases into similar groups based on predefined variables?
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How do Brüggemann and colleagues (2014) contribute to media systems research?
How do Brüggemann and colleagues (2014) contribute to media systems research?
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Which of the following is a type of explanatory research question in comparative studies?
Which of the following is a type of explanatory research question in comparative studies?
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Which statistical method is often applied when examining political system characteristics and conflict framing?
Which statistical method is often applied when examining political system characteristics and conflict framing?
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What can help address the issue of limited data cases in multivariate analyses?
What can help address the issue of limited data cases in multivariate analyses?
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What is a common limitation faced in comparative research regarding data cases?
What is a common limitation faced in comparative research regarding data cases?
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What is crucial for establishing method equivalence in a comparative study?
What is crucial for establishing method equivalence in a comparative study?
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Which type of research question is mainly descriptive in nature?
Which type of research question is mainly descriptive in nature?
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What distinguishes explanatory research from descriptive research?
What distinguishes explanatory research from descriptive research?
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According to Vliegenthart (2012), which type of question has the highest explanatory ambition?
According to Vliegenthart (2012), which type of question has the highest explanatory ambition?
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What is a characteristic of descriptive comparison studies?
What is a characteristic of descriptive comparison studies?
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What do researchers often find challenging when comparing differences between cases?
What do researchers often find challenging when comparing differences between cases?
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Which type of research question requires a high quality and quantity of cases?
Which type of research question requires a high quality and quantity of cases?
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What was the main hypothesis in the study by Strömbäck and Van Aelst?
What was the main hypothesis in the study by Strömbäck and Van Aelst?
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What is a potential benefit of including additional globalized control groups in comparative research?
What is a potential benefit of including additional globalized control groups in comparative research?
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What does a multilevel approach in comparative communication research entail?
What does a multilevel approach in comparative communication research entail?
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What challenge do comparative communication scholars face when applying comparative logics?
What challenge do comparative communication scholars face when applying comparative logics?
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How can increasing the number of cases in comparative analysis benefit researchers?
How can increasing the number of cases in comparative analysis benefit researchers?
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What is a primary trend requiring researchers to consider multiple units of analysis?
What is a primary trend requiring researchers to consider multiple units of analysis?
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What aspect of communication research has seen substantial progress in the past decade?
What aspect of communication research has seen substantial progress in the past decade?
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What role does context play in comparative communication research?
What role does context play in comparative communication research?
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Why is it important to use comparative frameworks in communication research?
Why is it important to use comparative frameworks in communication research?
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Study Notes
Comparative Research Methodology
- Comparative research must be embedded in context, utilizing analytical tools from comparative literature.
- Case selection should be justified by type:
- Representative (typical case)
- Prototypical (potential typical case)
- Exemplary (creates a new category)
- Deviant (exception to the norm)
- Critical (valid across contexts)
- Findings should contribute to revising or expanding existing comparative theories, transitioning from description to explanation.
Structured and Focused Comparison
- The method of structured comparison uses tools like analytic narratives and process tracing, allowing for causal inference.
- Causal chains, sequencing, and critical events inform explanations rather than relying solely on general laws or statistics.
Small-N Comparative Analysis
- Standard forms include John Stuart Mill’s Methods of Agreement and Difference, Przeworski and Teune’s Most Different and Most Similar Systems Designs.
- Most Similar Systems seek to identify differing features among similar systems for outcome explanations.
- Most Different Systems focus on commonalities among diverse systems to explain similar outcomes.
Construct Equivalence in Comparative Studies
- The number of systems compared typically ranges from 3 to 10, selected with specific contextual conditions in mind.
- External construct equivalence assumes similar correlation patterns across studied countries.
Techniques for Measuring Equivalence
- Advanced testing techniques include congruence coefficient analysis, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, and latent class analysis.
- Multi-country surveys may not be efficient for comparative content analysis due to categorical data limitations.
- Offering qualitative discussions for functional equivalence helps address measurement bias in comparative analyses.
Avoiding Measurement Bias
- Researchers must ensure language equivalence and measurement reliability across different cultural contexts.
- Inconsistent wording or inappropriate cultural connotations can lead to measurement bias.
Establishing Method Equivalence
- Well-written manuals, clear instructions, and researcher commitment are essential for methodological consistency.
- Collaboration requires cultural expertise and effective managerial capacities to maintain analytical equivalence.
Types of Research Questions
- Research questions in comparative studies range from descriptive to explanatory:
- Descriptive questions identify and describe phenomena and variations across cases.
- Basic explanatory questions assess the impact of independent variables on dependent variables.
Advanced Analytical Techniques
- Cluster analysis helps categorize cases based on similarities across a range of predetermined variables.
- Explanatory comparisons can utilize regression analysis, although limited case numbers pose challenges.
Conclusion and Future Directions
- Comparative communication research has seen increased integration in recent years but still faces challenges such as:
- Rigid application of comparative logics reminiscent of political science.
- Need for expanding the number of cases beyond limited comparisons for comprehensive analysis.
- Trends in internationalization and globalization demand multi-unit analysis in empirical research to address complex realities effectively.
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Description
Test your understanding of comparative research methodologies. This quiz covers concepts such as case selection types, structured comparison techniques, and small-N analysis methods. Enhance your grasp of theoretical implications and practical tools in comparative studies.
