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Questions and Answers
What is the primary approach of quantitative research concerning social phenomena?
What is the primary approach of quantitative research concerning social phenomena?
What does the objectivist approach in quantitative research advocate?
What does the objectivist approach in quantitative research advocate?
Which of the following is a strength of quantitative research?
Which of the following is a strength of quantitative research?
What criticism is often directed towards quantitative measurement?
What criticism is often directed towards quantitative measurement?
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What approach does quantitative research generally emphasize?
What approach does quantitative research generally emphasize?
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Which of the following is considered a weakness of quantitative research?
Which of the following is considered a weakness of quantitative research?
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What is a fundamental idea behind rigorous quantitative research methodology?
What is a fundamental idea behind rigorous quantitative research methodology?
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Which aspect does behavioralism primarily focus on within political science?
Which aspect does behavioralism primarily focus on within political science?
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Study Notes
Quantitative Research
- Reality is viewed as objective and simple.
- Human behaviour is determined by social factors and follows observable patterns.
- The objectivist approach assumes social phenomena exist independently of individuals.
- Facts and values should be separate; researchers shouldn't impose personal values.
- Natural and social sciences share methodological foundations.
- Social scientists should use methods from the physical sciences.
- A natural science approach, emphasizing empiricism, is common.
- Behaviouralism is a widely used approach in political science.
- Explanation is limited to observable, positive phenomena derived from experience.
- Quantitative research uses deduction, with theory driving the research design.
- The research should be rigorous, disciplined and systematic to arrive at an objective theory free from vague or speculative ideas.
- Quantitative research is replicable and comparable, allowing generalisations about larger populations.
Strengths
- Replicability and comparability.
- Used to make generalizations about larger populations.
Weaknesses
- Not everything can be quantified.
- Difficulty in measuring non-market transactions.
Criticisms
- Social phenomena exist within individuals' minds rather than external objects.
- Quantitative measurement may not capture the nuances of social behaviour.
- Quantification can reflect researchers' viewpoints more than respondents' own understandings.
- Using a hypothesis restricts research from the start.
- Distinguishes between essence and appearance, neglecting the essence of reality.
- Methods are more important than other aspects in the research process.
- Quantification creates a biased perception of the world.
Fundamentals
- Measurement
- Causality
- Generalisation (applying findings to a larger population).
- Replication
Methods
- Questionnaires
- Quantitative content analysis
- Secondary data analysis
- Experiments
- Structured observations
Statistical Methods
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Two main types of statistics:
- Descriptive (e.g., measures of dispersion)
- Inferential (e.g., regression analysis)
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The usefulness of statistics depends on the subjects.
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Statistical techniques assume a closed system, which is unrealistic in social science.
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Description
Explore the foundational principles of quantitative research in social sciences. This quiz covers the objectivist approach, the methodological connections with natural sciences, and the emphasis on empirical data. Test your understanding of how quantitative methods apply to social phenomena and human behavior.
