Political Science Research Methods Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary challenge faced when coding qualitative data?

  • It cannot be applied to social science research.
  • Maintaining consistency and objectivity among coders. (correct)
  • The validity of findings cannot be examined.
  • It is inherently subjective and lacks structure.
  • What is the main distinction between linear and logistic regression in research?

  • Logistic regression consistently provides more accurate results than linear regression.
  • Linear regression analyzes continuous dependent variables, whereas logistic regression explores categorical outcomes. (correct)
  • Linear regression is limited to experimental research settings.
  • Linear regression focuses on binary outcomes, while logistic regression examines continuous variables.
  • Why are regression analyses particularly useful in political science? (Select all that apply)

  • They strengthen causal arguments by demonstrating statistical significance. (correct)
  • They enable researchers to isolate the effects of specific independent variables. (correct)
  • They establish causality without requiring additional evidence.
  • They aid in testing hypotheses and predicting outcomes. (correct)
  • What is a key characteristic of case study research? (Select all that apply)

    <p>A small number of cases are examined (small-N, medium-N). (A), The focus is on gaining a deep, holistic understanding of the subject. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of case study design was employed by Maria Koinova in her research?

    <p>Longitudinal (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Yin's typology, what characterizes an embedded case study?

    <p>A study that includes multiple sub-units of analysis within a single case. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage do case studies offer in political science research?

    <p>They offer in-depth and contextualized insights, valuable for understanding complex political issues. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which case selection strategy is used when a researcher aims to examine a case that deviates significantly from the norm, potentially revealing insights or patterns that other cases might not show?

    <p>Outlier (deviant) case (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a major challenge associated with coding qualitative data?

    <p>Qualitative data is too subjective for use in social science research. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of process tracing, a method often employed in qualitative research?

    <p>Identifying causal mechanisms linking independent and dependent variables (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In process tracing, what is considered a 'smoking gun' observation?

    <p>Evidence that strongly supports a proposed causal relationship (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a facet of configurational thinking in process tracing?

    <p>Linear causality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these steps is NOT typically involved in causal process tracing?

    <p>Conducting controlled laboratory experiments to isolate variables (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a causal chain used in process tracing?

    <p>Industrialization → Urbanization → Economic Growth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of co-variational analysis, a method commonly used in comparative politics?

    <p>Establishing a correlation between an independent and dependent variable (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In co-variational analysis, the 'most similar case design' involves:

    <p>Selecting cases that share similar values on control variables but differ in the independent variable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a benefit of developing a scientific research framework?

    <p>Ensuring 100% certainty in all research conclusions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central difference between deductive and inductive research approaches?

    <p>Deduction moves from theory to empirical testing, while induction moves from observations to theory. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does operationalization in research entail?

    <p>Making abstract concepts measurable and quantifiable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of elite interviews?

    <p>They focus on gathering information from decision-makers and influential figures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between semi-structured and structured interviews?

    <p>Semi-structured interviews allow for flexibility and follow-up questions, while structured interviews stick to a predetermined set of questions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might researchers choose to conduct focus group interviews instead of individual interviews? (Select all that apply)

    <p>To study the dynamics of group interaction and how meaning is collectively constructed. (A), To reduce costs and time by interviewing multiple participants simultaneously. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are major ethical considerations when conducting interviews? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Obtaining informed consent from participants before the interview begins. (A), Avoiding leading or biased questions that could influence participant responses. (C), Offering anonymity and confidentiality to protect participants' identities when necessary. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of coding in qualitative content analysis?

    <p>To identify and categorize meaningful patterns and themes within the qualitative data. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key limitation of co-variational analysis?

    <p>It does not account for multiple factors that might influence the outcome. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using theory in co-variational analysis? (Select all that apply)

    <p>To consider alternative explanations for the observed relationships (B), To define key variables that will be studied (C), To establish expected relationships between the variables being studied (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary type of dependent variable used in logistic regression analysis?

    <p>Binary, where the variable has only two possible values, like &quot;yes&quot; or &quot;no&quot; or &quot;1&quot; or &quot;0&quot;. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a regression model, what does the R² value indicate?

    <p>It represents the proportion of variation in the dependent variable explained by the independent variables in the model. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of regression analysis? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Regression analysis cannot assess the potential impact of omitted variables that were not included in the model. (A), It shows correlation between variables but doesn't prove causation. Just because two variables are related doesn't mean one causes the other. (C), Regression cannot completely account for all factors influencing the dependent variable. There might be other variables that are not included in the analysis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of regression is best suited for analyzing count data and categorical relationships?

    <p>This type of regression is specifically designed for analyzing count data, often dealing with frequencies or occurrences of events. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When analyzing political behavior, why might a researcher choose multiple regression instead of simple linear regression?

    <p>Multiple regression allows for the inclusion of more than one independent variable, providing a more comprehensive understanding of how different factors influence the dependent variable. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which research questions are considered to be poor research questions? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Questions that have already been thoroughly researched and answered, providing minimal new insights. (A), Research questions that are too vague or lack specificity, making it difficult to focus the research and measure results. (C), Questions that are overly broad and attempt to cover too much ground, leading to unfocused research. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary goal of content analysis?

    <p>To classify and analyze patterns in textual data (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of inductive coding in content analysis?

    <p>Developing themes from textual data as they emerge (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is inter-coder reliability important in content analysis?

    <p>It ensures that different coders produce consistent results (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a most-likely case from a least-likely case in case selection?

    <p>A most-likely case is expected to confirm a theory, while a least-likely case is expected to challenge it (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an advantage of using comparative case studies?

    <p>They allow researchers to compare structured and focused questions across cases (A), They can reveal causal mechanisms through structured comparisons (B), They help test theoretical frameworks in different contexts (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a confession in process tracing?

    <p>A statement from a key actor explaining their decision-making process (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT true about co-variational analysis?

    <p>It considers the causal mechanisms behind observed associations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What makes causal process tracing (CPT) different from co-variational analysis?

    <p>CPT examines causal mechanisms and sequences of events, while co-variational analysis focuses on identifying correlations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of a cross-sectional comparison in co-variational analysis?

    <p>Examining the relationship between variables across different cases at a specific point in time. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a risk associated with co-variational analysis?

    <p>Overreliance on quantitative data at the expense of qualitative insights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a statistically significant regression coefficient indicate?

    <p>A strong likelihood that the independent variable has a real effect on the dependent variable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the R² value in regression analysis is low, what does it suggest about the model?

    <p>The model does not effectively explain a significant portion of the variation in the dependent variable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'multicollinearity' in regression analysis?

    <p>When independent variables are strongly correlated with each other. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT necessarily a benefit of using elite interviews in political science research?

    <p>Ensuring a high level of generalizability and representativeness of findings across the broader population (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key distinction between semi-structured and structured interviews?

    <p>Semi-structured interviews allow for greater flexibility in questioning and probing, while structured interviews adhere to a rigid set of questions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a typical reason why researchers might choose to conduct focus group interviews instead of individual interviews?

    <p>To generate quantitative data that can be statistically analyzed and compared between different groups (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a key ethical consideration when conducting interviews?

    <p>Ensuring that participants are compensated financially for their time and contribution to the research project (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a strong research framework?

    <p>Choosing a specific research methodology and design that aligns with the research questions and objectives, minimizing bias and errors (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a researcher wants to investigate the causal mechanisms that led to a specific outcome, which of the following research methods would be most appropriate?

    <p>Process Tracing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of a most-likely case in case selection?

    <p>It is likely to reveal unexpected patterns that challenge existing theories. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of content analysis?

    <p>To identify and analyze patterns within textual data. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When conducting a content analysis, which scenario would present the need for inter-coder reliability?

    <p>Analyzing a large dataset of documents with multiple coders involved. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these options accurately describes the role of confessions in process tracing?

    <p>They are subjective statements made by individuals about their own experiences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main differences between co-variational analysis and causal process tracing?

    <p>Co-variational analysis focuses on statistical relationships between variables, while causal process tracing aims to identify causal mechanisms and chains of events. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using comparative case studies?

    <p>They completely eliminate the potential for bias in research findings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does inductive coding in content analysis involve?

    <p>Identifying themes and patterns from textual data as they emerge without pre-defined categories. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a distinctive feature of causal process tracing (CPT) compared to co-variational analysis?

    <p>CPT focuses on examining causal mechanisms within cases. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the implication of a cross-sectional comparison in co-variational analysis?

    <p>It evaluates multiple cases at one specific time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a low R² value indicate in a regression model?

    <p>The model explains very little variation in the dependent variable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major risk is associated with co-variational analysis?

    <p>Potentially overlooking various causal factors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does multicollinearity in regression analysis refer to?

    <p>Independent variables exhibiting high correlation with each other. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major challenge associated with coding qualitative data?

    <p>Ensuring consistency and objectivity across different coders. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary distinction between linear and logistic regression?

    <p>Linear regression examines continuous dependent variables, while logistic regression is used for categorical outcomes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key benefit of using case studies in political research?

    <p>They allow for in-depth analysis of complex phenomena. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which case selection strategy is appropriate for investigating cases that challenge established theories?

    <p>Outlier (deviant) case (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of process tracing in research?

    <p>Identifying causal mechanisms linking independent and dependent variables. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of case study design did Maria Koinova use in her research?

    <p>Longitudinal (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In process tracing, what does a 'smoking gun' observation signify?

    <p>A strong indicator of a causal relationship. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Yin's typology, an embedded case study refers to:

    <p>A study that includes multiple sub-units of analysis within a single case (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an advantage of using case studies in political science?

    <p>Case studies allow researchers to generate new hypotheses. (C), Case studies provide a detailed understanding of complex phenomena. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered a facet of configurational thinking in process tracing?

    <p>Deterministic causality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are essential components of causal process tracing?

    <p>Identifying sequences of events, verifying causal links, and establishing necessary conditions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What best describes the goal of co-variational analysis?

    <p>Establishing correlation between independent and dependent variables. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In co-variational analysis, what is meant by the 'most similar case design'?

    <p>Cases are similar in all respects except for one independent variable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of a strong research design in political science?

    <p>To ensure the study is rigorous and meets scientific standards. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these research questions is NOT Y-centered?

    <p>What are the long-term consequences of political instability on a nation's economy? (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When is a structured interview the most beneficial?

    <p>When collecting standardized data across a large sample size. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When would interviewing laypeople be more beneficial than interviewing experts?

    <p>When studying the personal voting behavior of citizens. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a benefit of semi-structured interviews?

    <p>Semi-structured interviews enable deeper insights while maintaining some consistency across interviews. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between deductive and inductive coding in qualitative content analysis?

    <p>Deductive coding uses pre-defined categories while inductive coding analyzes data to identify emerging themes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the four key steps in qualitative content analysis?

    <p>Unitizing, Sampling, Coding, Reducing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential disadvantage of using inductive coding in qualitative content analysis?

    <p>Inductive coding can lead to subjective interpretations and a lack of consistency across researchers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main challenge in coding qualitative data?

    <p>Ensuring consistency and objectivity across different coders. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between linear and logistic regression?

    <p>Linear regression examines continuous dependent variables, while logistic regression is used for categorical outcomes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are regression analyses useful in political science? (Select all that apply.)

    <p>They help test hypotheses and predict outcomes. (A), They strengthen causal arguments by showing statistical significance. (C), They allow researchers to isolate the effect of specific independent variables. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are major characteristics of case study research? (Select all that apply.)

    <p>Focus on in-depth, holistic understanding (C), Small number of cases (small-N, medium-N) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a key difference between CPT and co-variational analysis?

    <p>CPT is often used to test specific hypotheses, while co-variational analysis is often used to generate broader theoretical insights. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of co-variational analysis, what does a cross-sectional comparison involve?

    <p>Comparing multiple cases at a single point in time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a significant risk associated with co-variational analysis?

    <p>Overlooking multiple causal factors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a regression model has a low R² value, what does this suggest about the model?

    <p>The model does not adequately explain the variation in the dependent variable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'multicollinearity' refer to in the context of regression analysis?

    <p>The presence of a high correlation between two or more independent variables. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of process tracing?

    <p>To identify causal mechanisms linking independent and dependent variables (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In process tracing, what does a 'smoking gun' observation refer to?

    <p>Evidence that strongly supports a causal relationship (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of co-variational analysis?

    <p>To establish correlation between an independent and dependent variable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In co-variational analysis, what is the most similar case design?

    <p>Cases are similar in control variables but vary in the independent variable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which case selection strategy is used when a researcher chooses a case that contradicts dominant theoretical assumptions?

    <p>Outlier (deviant) case (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three facets of configurational thinking in process tracing? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Multicausality (B), Causal heterogeneity (C), Equifinality (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key benefit of developing a scientific research framework?

    <p>It provides a structured approach to research, enhancing clarity and replicability. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary distinction between deduction and induction in research?

    <p>Deduction starts with observations and moves towards theory while induction starts with theory and moves towards empirical testing. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates semi-structured interviews from structured interviews?

    <p>Semi-structured interviews allow for flexibility in questioning and follow-up probes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is operationalization in research?

    <p>The process of defining abstract concepts in measurable terms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a primary function of a scientific research framework?

    <p>Establishing the researcher's personal beliefs and biases about the topic. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is a strong research design crucial in political science?

    <p>It helps establish validity, reliability, and generalizability. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which scenario is more advantageous for interviewing laypeople compared to experts?

    <p>When understanding societal reactions to policy changes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a notable disadvantage of using structured interviews?

    <p>They may lack depth and flexibility. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary characteristic of semi-structured interviews?

    <p>They provide a balance between structure and flexibility. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Inductive coding is primarily characterized by which of the following?

    <p>Generating new codes based on themes that emerge during analysis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In qualitative content analysis, which is NOT one of the four key steps?

    <p>Inferencing (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about structured interviews is inaccurate?

    <p>They allow for probing deeper into initial responses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a benefit of using semi-structured interviews in research?

    <p>They facilitate a more flexible and comprehensive exploration of topics. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does inductive coding in content analysis entail?

    <p>Developing themes from textual data as they emerge (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of inter-coder reliability in content analysis?

    <p>It ensures that different coders produce consistent results (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key distinction between a most-likely case and a least-likely case in case selection?

    <p>A most-likely case is expected to confirm a theory, while a least-likely case is expected to challenge it (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT an advantage of using comparative case studies?

    <p>They eliminate all potential biases (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'confession' in the context of process tracing?

    <p>A statement from a key actor explaining their decision-making process (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements is true about co-variational analysis?

    <p>It relies heavily on statistical software for analysis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of causal process tracing (CPT)?

    <p>It focuses on identifying causal mechanisms through a step-by-step analysis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a risk associated with co-variational analysis?

    <p>It can be used to identify the precise timing of causal events (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage do comparative case studies offer? (Select all that apply.)

    <p>They help test theoretical frameworks in different contexts. (A), They allow researchers to compare structured and focused questions across cases. (B), They can reveal causal mechanisms through structured comparisons. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between co-variational analysis and Case Process Tracing (CPT)?

    <p>Co-variational analysis examines across cases, while CPT examines within-case causal mechanisms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates a cross-sectional comparison from a longitudinal analysis in the context of co-variational analysis?

    <p>A cross-sectional comparison examines multiple cases at a single point in time, while longitudinal analysis tracks changes within a single case over time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key objective of content analysis?

    <p>To classify and analyze patterns in textual data. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements accurately reflects the significance of a statistically significant regression coefficient?

    <p>It implies that the independent variable has a strong and noticeable impact on the dependent variable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using comparative case studies?

    <p>They eliminate all potential biases. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a low R² value in a regression model indicate?

    <p>The model does not effectively explain much of the variation in the dependent variable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main concern regarding 'multicollinearity' in regression analysis?

    <p>When independent variables are highly correlated with each other. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these case selection strategies focuses on cases that demonstrate a strong deviation from the norm?

    <p>Outlier (deviant) case (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key objective of the process tracing method in political science research?

    <p>Uncovering the causal mechanisms that link independent and dependent variables (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In process tracing, what is meant by a 'smoking gun' observation?

    <p>Information that confirms a causal link between variables (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary element of causal heterogeneity in process tracing?

    <p>The causal pathways differ across cases (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between causal process tracing and co-variational analysis?

    <p>Causal process tracing emphasizes in-depth analysis of mechanisms while co-variational analysis seeks to establish statistical correlations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of co-variational analysis in political science research?

    <p>Determining statistical correlations between independent and dependent variables (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these design strategies is commonly employed in co-variational analysis to control for confounding factors?

    <p>Cases are similar on key control variables but differ on the independent variable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a causal chain often examined using process tracing?

    <p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary advantage of using a strong research design in political science?

    <p>It establishes validity, reliability, and generalizability. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic best describes structured interviews in qualitative research?

    <p>They are inflexible and do not adapt to participants. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might interviewing laypeople provide unique insights compared to interviewing experts?

    <p>They offer fresh perspectives on everyday political experiences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant benefit of utilizing semi-structured interviews?

    <p>They provide flexibility for deeper exploration of topics. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which step is NOT part of qualitative content analysis?

    <p>Narrating (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Inductive coding is primarily focused on which of the following?

    <p>Creating new categories from data themes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is typically a limitation of structured interviews?

    <p>They restrict the flow of conversation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of Y-centered research questions?

    <p>They focus on specific outcomes related to Y. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key limitation of regression analysis?

    <p>It cannot fully explain all variability in the dependent variable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following dependent variable types is suitable for logistic regression?

    <p>Binary (Yes/No, 1/0) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the R² value in a regression model represent?

    <p>The percentage of variance explained by the independent variables (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of a good research question?

    <p>It is specific and focused (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does theory function in co-variational analysis?

    <p>To establish expected relationships among variables (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of research design is characterized by comparing data from different groups at one point in time?

    <p>Cross-sectional comparison (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of regression analysis is most appropriate for count data?

    <p>Log-linear regression (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What common misconception exists regarding multiple regression analysis?

    <p>It guarantees causal relationships (B), It is applicable only in the field of economics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the key elements involved in operationalization in research?

    <p>Making concepts measurable (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes elite interviews from other types of interviews?

    <p>They aim to gather insights from decision-makers. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In semi-structured interviews, what aspect is notably different from structured interviews?

    <p>They offer flexibility for follow-up questions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered an ethical concern when conducting interviews?

    <p>Offering compensation for participation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary advantage of using focus group interviews over individual interviews?

    <p>They allow exploration of collective interactions and meanings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What correctly describes the relationship between deduction and induction in research methodologies?

    <p>Deduction begins with a hypothesis leading to testing. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is NOT a purpose of coding in qualitative content analysis?

    <p>Eliminating unnecessary data from the analysis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might researchers avoid leading or biased questions in interviews?

    <p>To achieve an unbiased understanding of participants' views. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Challenge in coding qualitative data

    It is subjective and lacks structure, affecting consistency across coders.

    Linear regression

    A statistical method for modeling the relationship between variables, used for continuous dependent variables.

    Logistic regression

    A statistical method used for modeling binary outcomes, predicting probabilities of categories.

    Use of regression in political science

    Regression analysis helps test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and show statistical significance.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Case study research characteristic

    In-depth, holistic understanding of a small number of cases, focusing on detailed analysis.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Longitudinal case study design

    A research design that involves studying the same case over an extended period of time.

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    Embedded case study

    A study that includes multiple sub-units of analysis within a single case to provide deeper insights.

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    Advantage of case studies

    Case studies provide detailed context and nuanced understanding that broad quantitative studies may miss.

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    In-depth analysis

    Allows for detailed examination of complex phenomena.

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    Causal process tracing

    Identifies causal mechanisms linking independent and dependent variables.

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    Smoking gun observation

    Evidence that strongly supports a causal relationship.

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    Multicausality

    Multiple causes contribute to an effect.

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    Causal chain example

    A sequence demonstrating causal relationships, like industrialization leading to urbanization.

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    Co-variational analysis goal

    Establish correlation between an independent and dependent variable.

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    Most similar case design

    Cases are similar in control variables but vary in the independent variable.

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    Process tracing facets

    Includes multicausality, equifinality, and causal heterogeneity.

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    Independent Variables

    Factors manipulated to observe their effect in research.

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    Operationalization

    The process of making concepts measurable for research.

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    Deduction vs Induction

    Deduction goes from theory to testing; induction goes from observations to theory.

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    Elite Interviews

    Interviews that gather information from decision-makers and experts.

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    Semi-Structured Interviews

    Interviews allowing flexibility with follow-up questions.

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    Focus Group Interviews

    A method to study interactions among multiple participants at once.

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    Informed Consent

    Ethical requirement to obtain participant agreement before research.

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    Ethical Considerations in Interviews

    Includes obtaining consent, ensuring confidentiality, and avoiding bias.

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    CPT vs. Co-variational Analysis

    CPT examines causal mechanisms within cases; co-variational analysis compares cases across different contexts.

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    Cross-sectional comparison

    A method in co-variational analysis that involves comparing multiple cases at a single point in time.

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    Risk of co-variational analysis

    A major risk is overlooking multiple causal factors that may influence the results.

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    Statistically significant regression coefficient

    Indicates strong evidence that the independent variable affects the dependent variable.

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    Multicollinearity

    Occurs when independent variables in a regression model are highly correlated with each other.

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    R² value

    Indicates the percentage of variance explained by independent variables in a regression model.

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    Limitations of regression analysis

    Regression cannot fully explain variability, shows correlation not causation, and struggles with omitted variables.

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    Log-linear regression

    A regression analysis suited for count data and categorical relationships.

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    Bad research questions

    Questions that lack specificity, are too broad, or have been answered already.

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    Theory in political science

    Theory helps define variables and expected relationships in research.

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    Co-variational analysis weaknesses

    Disregards multicausality, limiting its explanatory power.

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    Inductive coding

    Developing themes from textual data as they emerge during analysis.

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    Inter-coder reliability

    It ensures that different coders produce consistent results in content analysis.

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    Most-likely case

    A case expected to confirm a theory in research.

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    Least-likely case

    A case expected to challenge a theory in research.

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    Comparative case studies

    They allow researchers to compare structured questions across cases and contexts.

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    Causal mechanisms

    They are revealed through structured comparisons in comparative case studies.

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    Confession in process tracing

    A statement from a key actor explaining their decision-making process.

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    Causal process tracing (CPT)

    It analyzes causal mechanisms rather than merely correlations in research.

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    Importance of strong research design

    It ensures scientific rigor and establishes validity, reliability, and generalizability in studies.

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    Y-centered research question

    A research question focusing on a specific 'Y' impact, such as voter turnout or behavior.

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    Disadvantage of structured interviews

    They may lack depth and flexibility due to their rigid format.

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    Interviews with laypeople vs experts

    Layperson interviews are beneficial when studying personal voting behavior of citizens.

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    Benefits of semi-structured interviews

    They provide balance between structure and flexibility, allowing deeper insights.

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    Key steps in qualitative content analysis

    Include unitizing, sampling, coding, and reducing for systematic analysis.

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    Validity, reliability, generalizability

    Core aspects of research design ensuring the findings are applicable and sound across contexts.

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    Outlier (deviant) case

    A case that contradicts dominant theoretical assumptions in research.

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    Process tracing

    Identifies causal mechanisms linking independent and dependent variables.

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    Causal chain

    A sequence demonstrating causal relationships, like industrialization leading to urbanization.

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    Co-variational analysis

    Establishes correlation between an independent and dependent variable.

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    Subjectivity in coding qualitative data

    Qualitative data coding is inherently subjective and lacks clear structure.

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    Logistic regression primary use

    Logistic regression is used for binary outcomes, predicting category probabilities.

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    Key applications of regression in political science

    Regression helps test hypotheses, predict outcomes, and isolate independent variable effects.

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    Case study small-N characteristic

    Case studies involve small numbers of cases for in-depth understanding.

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    Longitudinal case study

    A longitudinal case study involves examining the same case over time.

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    Embedded case study definition

    An embedded case study includes multiple sub-units of analysis in a single case.

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    Advantages of case studies in research

    Case studies provide detailed insights and contextual understanding not found in broad studies.

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    Causal chains in analysis

    Causal chains demonstrate the sequence of events leading to an effect.

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    Identifying Independent Variables

    The process of recognizing relevant independent factors in research.

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    Distinguishing Empirical Aspects

    The ability to separate relevant from irrelevant data in research.

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    Framework for Knowledge Accumulation

    A structured approach that aids systematic gathering of knowledge.

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    Operationalization in Research

    The process of making abstract concepts measurable for evaluation.

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    Purpose of Elite Interviews

    They gather insights from key decision-makers in a field.

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    Case selection distinction

    Most-likely cases confirm theory; least-likely cases challenge it.

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    Case selection strategy

    Choosing a case that contradicts dominant assumptions is an outlier case.

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    Process tracing goal

    Identifying causal mechanisms connecting independent and dependent variables.

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    Facets of configurational thinking

    Includes multicausality, equifinality, and causal heterogeneity in research analysis.

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    Example of a causal chain

    A sequence showing how industrialization leads to urbanization and then economic growth.

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    Advantages of qualitative research interviews

    Qualitative interviews gather insights and perspectives that structured methods may miss, enriching the research data.

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    Logistic regression application

    Logistic regression is primarily used for modeling binary outcomes, predicting probabilities.

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    Linear regression characteristics

    Linear regression examines continuous dependent variables and their relationships.

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    Causal relationships in regression

    Regression analyses can test hypotheses and help predict relationships between variables.

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    Embedded case study explained

    An embedded case study includes multiple sub-units of analysis within a single case.

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    Characteristics of case study research

    Case studies focus on small sample sizes for in-depth and holistic understanding.

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    Role of theory in co-variational analysis

    It defines key variables, establishes expected relationships, and considers alternative explanations.

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    Logistic regression dependent variable

    Uses a binary dependent variable (Yes/No, 1/0).

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    R² value in regression

    Indicates the percentage of variance explained by independent variables.

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    Log-linear regression application

    Best for analyzing count data and categorical relationships.

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    Multiple regression vs. simple linear regression

    Multiple regression accounts for multiple independent variables affecting the dependent variable.

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    Empirical Aspects

    Relevant data or factors that affect research outcomes.

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    Deduction in Research

    The process that moves from theory to empirical testing.

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    Induction in Research

    The process that moves from observations to theory formation.

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    Outlier case

    A case that contradicts dominant theoretical assumptions in research.

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    Study Notes

    Research Design

    • A strong research design in political science ensures scientific rigor, validity, reliability, and generalizability.
    • A Y-centered research question focuses on how factors affect a specific outcome (e.g., Why did democracy emerge in certain post-colonial states?).

    Interviews

    • Structured interviews are time-consuming and may lack depth, but they provide standardized data.
    • Semi-structured interviews offer a balance of structure and flexibility, enabling deeper insights while maintaining some consistency.
    • Laypeople are more beneficial in studying personal voting behavior, than experts. This type of interview can be used for quantitative research and direct comparisons.

    Content Analysis

    • Qualitative content analysis has four main steps: Unitizing, Sampling, Coding, and Reducing.
    • Inductive coding involves developing codes based on emerging themes from the text.

    Regression Analysis

    • Linear regression examines continuous dependent variables, while logistic regression focuses on categorical outcomes.
    • Regression analyses are useful for testing hypotheses, predicting outcomes, isolating effects of independent variables and showing statistical significance.

    Case Study Design

    • Case studies prioritize in-depth, holistic understanding of a small number of cases.
    • Maria Koinova's research design involved longitudinal study data.
    • An embedded case study includes multiple sub-units within a single case.

    Process Tracing

    • The primary goal of process tracing is to identify causal mechanisms linking independent and dependent variables.
    • A smoking gun observation is strong evidence supporting a causal relationship.
    • Configurational thinking in process tracing involves multicausality, equifinality, and causal heterogeneity.

    Co-variational Analysis

    • The goal of co-variational analysis is to establish correlation between independent and dependent variables.
    • Cross-sectional comparison is used in co-variational analysis involving comparing multiple cases at a single point in time.
    • A major risk is overlooking multiple causal factors.

    Regression Analysis (continued)

    • A statistically significant regression coefficient indicates strong evidence that the independent variable affects the dependent variable.
    • A low R² value suggests that the model does not explain much of the variation in the dependent variable.
    • Multicollinearity refers to cases where independent variables are highly correlated.

    Research Design (continued)

    • Poor research questions lack specificity; covering too broad a topic.
    • Theory plays a vital role in political science by identifying relevant independent variables, and systematically accumulating knowledge.
    • Deduction moves from theory to empirical testing and induction moves from observations to theory.

    Interviews (continued)

    • Elite interviews focus on gathering information from decision-makers.
    • Semi-structured interviews offer follow-up questions and flexibility.
    • Semi-structured interviews are useful for collecting data from individual sources.
    • Focus group interviews collect data from multiple individuals simultaneously.

    Content Analysis (continued)

    • Coding in qualitative content analysis classifies and analyzes patterns in textual data.
    • Inductive coding involves developing themes from textual data.
    • Inter-coder reliability ensures that different coders produce consistent results.

    Case Study Design (continued)

    • A most-likely case confirms a theory, while a least-likely case challenges it.
    • Comparative case studies compare structured and focused questions across cases, revealing causal mechanisms.

    Process Tracing (continued)

    • A confession in process tracing refers to a statement from a key actor explaining their decision-making process.
    • Causal Process Tracing (CPT) examines within-case causal mechanisms.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on key concepts and methodologies in political science research. This quiz covers topics such as regression analysis, case studies, and qualitative data coding. Challenge yourself with questions that explore the intricacies of research design and analysis in the field.

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