Studying Politics Scientifically

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Studying Politics Scientifically
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Scientific Research

• A self-correcting, continuously developing way of
  knowing. A method of testing theories and
  hypotheses by applying certain rules of analysis
  to the observation and interpretation of reality
  under strictly delineated circumstance

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Scientific Research is

• Explicit
• Systematic
• Controlled
• Transmissible
• Predictive?

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Types of Research
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Exploratory

• Satisfy curiosity
• Test Feasibility
• Develop methods
• Refine questions and hypotheses

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Descriptive

• Accurate observation
• Demographics

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Explanatory

• Valid and reliable observation
• Basis for valid causal inference

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Building Good Theories
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Research Question
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Theorizing

• Logic
• Prior Information
• Plausible Possible Answers
• Direction
• Organization
• Interpretation

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Why Theories?

• A set of logically related symbols that represent
  what we think happens in the world
• Simplify reality
• Allow for accuracy testing

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How do we create theories?

• Conceptualize the problem
• Common Sense
• Reading
• Exploratory Research

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Thinking Processes

• Induction
• Deduction
• Retroduction
• Concepts
• Assumptions

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Does the Theory Mirror Reality?

• Induction into assumptions
• Deduction into predictions
• Test Predictions
• Revise assumptions

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Good theories are

• Testable
• Logically Sound
• Communicable
• General
• Parsimonious
• Beautiful?

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Is Political Science a Science?

• Well, sort of

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How would we know?

• Determinative Laws
• Probabilistic Laws
• Social Science
• Scientific Reasoning and Methods

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Eight Stages of Scientific Research
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• Question
• Theory
• Hypothesis
• Operationalization
• Instrumentation
• Measurement
• Analysis
• Conclusions