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How can the issues created in comparative research be overcome? (Issues…
How can the issues created in comparative research be overcome?
Issues
Selection Bias
Occurs when cases are picked on the dependent variable.
Commonality suggested by not be a conclusion in other cases.
Non-random choice of cases.
Conceptual Stretching
When concepts travel across context they can lose their clear meaning, concepts become vague.
Over-Determination
Too many variables, too few cases.
Hard to come to a conclusion of which variable is the explanatory factor.
Small N
Over-determination.
Lack of generalisability.
Large N
Generality over complexity.
Increases chance of conceptual stretching.
Loose theoretical integration - propositions not theory, merely identifies associations (thin).
Often based on poor data availability.
Plan
Structure
Introduction
Conceptual Stretching - Issue, Overcoming, Example
Selection Bias - Issue, Overcoming, Example
Over-determination - Issue, Overcoming, Example
Sample Size, Issue, Overcoming, Example
Conclusion
Argument
Many issues, often perfect to overcome all of them, bridging often required.
Overcoming
Conceptual Stretching
Ladder of Abstraction
Radial Categories
Family Resemblance
Small N/Large N
A bridging of the two necessary.
Bridging is the only way to overcome many of these issues.
Over-Determination
Large 'n' reduces this issue - variable based approach, not case based.
MSSD can be used to reduce the variation.
Selection Bias
Don't base research on the dependent variable - this is harder with MDSD.
If MDSD is dependent variable it should always be noted that a full conclusion cannot be made, merely a possible relationship.
Large 'n' samples usually reduce selection bias, allows for variation of independent variables.
Examples
Conceptual Stretching
Classical Categories
Authoritarian Regimes
Primary category - authoritarian.
Secondary category - populist authoritarianism, bureaucratic authoritarianism.
Components - limited pluralism, distinctive mentalities.
Radial Categories
Democracies
Primary category - democracies.
Secondary category - participatory, liberal and popular democracy.
Components - limitations to state power, participation in political system, broadly egalitarian.
Family Resemblance
Political Participation
Components - contact with local authorities, members of political parties, part of campaigns, talking about politics.
Ladder of Generality
High extension, low intension - populist movements.
Medium - right wing populist movements.
Low extension, high intension - right wing populist parties.
Stretching
Euroscepticism - has many defining attributes, different contexts in the EU, left and right wing scepticism.
Selection Bias
Revolutions - France 1789 an China 1927 - based on dependent variable, what about where the proletarian exists but there is no revolution?
Over-Determination
Populist Parties
Few cases - UKIP, FN
Numerous variables - economic crisis, immigration levels, ideology, electoral systems, cleavages.
Small N
Keating - State sub-nationalism.
Few cases - Scotland, Quebec, Catalonia
Charted - historical, economic, cultural and political factors.
Possible over-determination.
Large N
World Values Survey
100 countries, 90% of population.
How values affect socio-political life.
Values affect democracy etc.