Handbook of research methods and applications in political science / [edited by] Hans Keman, Jaap J. Woldendorp.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Keman, Hans.

Woldendorp, Jaap.

Edward Elgar Publishing.

Series:

Handbooks of research methods and applications

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science--Methodology.

Political science.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (576 pages) ; cm.

Place of Publication:

Northampton, MA : Edward Elgar Pub., c. 2016.

Summary:

This Handbook offers a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art research methods and applications currently in use in political science. It combines theory and methodology (qualitative and quantitative), and offers insights into the major approaches and their roots in the philosophy of scientific knowledge. Including a comprehensive discussion of the relevance of a host of digital data sources, plus the dos and don'ts of data collection in general, the book also explains how to use diverse research tools and highlights when and how to apply these techniques. With wide-ranging coverage of general political science topics and systemic approaches to politics, the editors showcase research methods that can be used at the micro, meso and macro levels. Chapters explore applied and fundamental knowledge, approaches and their usefulness, meta-theoretical issues, and the art and practice of undertaking research. This highly accessible book provides hands-on information on research topics and methods, and offers the reader extensive bibliographies for in-depth exploration of cutting-edge techniques. Finally, it discusses the relevance of political science research, as well as the art of publishing, reporting and submitting research findings. An essential tool for researchers in political science, public administration and international relations, this book will be an important reference for academics and students employing research methods and techniques across the social sciences, including sociology, anthropology and communication studies.

Contents:

Introduction by the editors

Part I political science: range, scope and contested methodologies

1. Political science: researching a multifaceted topic in essentially contested ways / Philippe C. Schmitter

2. Epistemology and approaches: logic, causation and explanation / Dirk Berg-Schlosser

3. Taking critical ontology seriously: implications for political science methodology / Angela Wigger, Laura Horn

4. Relating theory and concepts to measurements: bridging the gap / Paul Pennings

5. On time and space: the historical dimension in political science / Hans Keman

6. Systems theory: the search for a general theory of politics / Hans Keman

Part II approaches: exploring political interactions

7. Applying multilevel governance / Arjan H. Schakel

8. Regime types: measuring democracy and autocracy / Manfred G. Schmidt

9. Institutional analysis: progress and problems / B. Guy Peters

10. Political actors: parties - interest groups - government / Nicole Bolleyer

11. Social movements and political action / Bert Klandermans

12. International relations and transnational politics / Andreas Nölke

13. Political economy: economic miracles and socio-economic performance / Barbara Vis, Jaap Woldendorp and Kees van Kersbergen

14. Political theory and its normative methods / Keith Dowding

Part III analyzing politics: data - concepts - techniques

15. Organizing and developing data sets: exemplified by party government dataset / Jaap Woldendorp

16. Political institutions / Klaus Armingeon

17. Studying voting behavior / Joop J.M. van Holsteyn and Galen A. Irwin

18. The role of high quality surveys in political science research / Sarah Butt, Sally Widdop and Lizzy Winstone

19. Quantitative data analysis in political science / Paul Pennings

20. Models in political science: forms and purposes / Robin E. Best and Michael McDonald

21. Qualitative methods in political science / Selen A. Ercan and David Marsh

22. Multilevel regression analysis / Jan Kleinnijenhuis

Part IV research tools: quantitative and qualitative applications

23. Studying how policies affect the people: grappling with measurement, causality and the macro-micro divide / Staffan Kumlin and Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen

24. Regression analysis / Uwe Wagschal

25. Configurational comparative methods (QCA and fuzzy sets): complex causation in cross-case analysis / Benoît Rihoux

26. Discourse analysis, social constructivism and text analysis: a critical overview / David Howarth and Steven Griggs

27. Case study analysis / Esther Seha and Ferdinand Müller-Rommel

28. Cluster analysis / Uwe Wagschal

29. Relationships among rivals: contending hypotheses and the logic of process tracing / Sherry Zaks

Part V evaluation and relevance of research output

30. Political science research and its political relevance / Ben Crum

31. What's methodology got to do with it? public policy evaluations, observational analysis and RCTs / Edward C. Page

32. Re-analysis, testability and falsification / Jan-Erik Lane

33. The art of publishing: how to report and submit your findings / Richard S. Katz.

Notes:

Contributors include: K. Armingeon, D. Berg-Schlosser, R.E. Best, N. Bolleyer, S. Butt, B. Crum, K. Dowding, S.A. Ercan, S. Griggs, L. Horn, D. Howarth, G.A. Irwin, R.S. Katz, H. Keman, B. Klandermans, J. Kleinnijenhuis, S. Kumlin, J.-E. Lane, D. Marsh, M.D. McDonald, F. Müller-Rommel, A. Nölke, E.C. Page, P. Pennings, B.G. Peters, B. Rihoux, M.G. Schmidt, A.H. Schakel, P.C. Schmitter, E. Seha, I. Stadelmann-Steffen, J.J.M. van Holsteyn, K. van Kersbergen, B. Vis, U. Wagschal, S. Widdop, A. Wigger, L. Winstone, J. Woldendorp, S. Zaks.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print record.

ISBN:

9781784710828 (e-book)

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.