Empirical Political Analysis

by Manheim, Jarol B.; Rich, Richard C.; Willnat, Lars

• ISBN13: 9780321086143
• ISBN10: 0321086147
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

This well-established research methods text has been thoroughly updated to reflect the new technologies involved in research, as well as the emerging interest in systematic qualitative techniques. The strengths of the previous editions are continued in the new edition including a logical organization, accessible writing, and clarity of presentation.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Introduction	1	(1)
The Research Process	1	(13)
The Formulation of Theory	4	(2)
The Operationalization of Theory	6	(1)
The Selection of Appropriate Research Techniques	7	(1)
The Observation of Behavior	8	(2)
The Analysis of Data	10	(1)
Interpretation of the Results	11	(1)
Research Exercises	12	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	13	(1)
Preparing to Do Research	14	(106)
Theory Building: Concepts and Hypotheses in Political Research	14	(20)
The Nature of Social Science Theory	16	(1)
The Logic of Theory Building	16	(4)
Components of Social Science Theory	20	(2)
Relationships in Social Science Theory	22	(3)
Theory Testing and Elaboration	25	(1)
The Role of Hypotheses	26	(3)
Formulating Hypotheses	29	(3)
Conclusion	32	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	32	(1)
Research Exercises	32	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	33	(1)
Setting the Foundation: Techniques of Systematic Bibliographic Search	34	(17)
Using the Existing Literature	34	(2)
Developing a System	36	(6)
Conducting the Search	42	(3)
Political Science Journals	45	(2)
Bibliographic Sources	47	(2)
Suggestions for Further Reading	49	(1)
Research Exercises	49	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	50	(1)
From Abstract to Concrete: Operationalization and Measurement	51	(28)
Operationalization: The Link Between Theory and Observation	52	(2)
Operational Definitions	54	(2)
Measurement	56	(1)
Levels of Measurement	56	(6)
Working Hypotheses	62	(2)
Measurement Error: The Enemy	64	(3)
Validity	67	(6)
Reliability	73	(3)
Conclusion	76	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	77	(1)
Research Exercises	77	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	77	(2)
Working from a Plan: Considerations in Research Design	79	(22)
Research Purpose and Research Design	79	(1)
Coping with Alternative Rival Hypotheses Through Research Design	80	(5)
Experimental Research Designs	85	(3)
Assigning Cases to Groups	88	(2)
Field Experiments and Nonexperimental Designs	90	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	91	(5)
Creating a Research Design	96	(1)
Factors That Threaten Validity	97	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	98	(1)
Research Exercises	99	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	99	(2)
Who, What, Where, When: The Problem of Sampling	101	(19)
Defining a Representative Sample	102	(3)
Procedures for Selecting a Representative Sample	105	(2)
Variations on Random Sampling	107	(7)
Determining Appropriate Sample Size	114	(4)
Conclusion	118	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	118	(1)
Research Exercises	119	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	119	(1)
Quantitative Methods	120	(92)
Survey Research	120	(28)
Stages of the Survey Process	121	(1)
Conceptualizing	122	(1)
Survey Design	122	(2)
Instrumentation	124	(9)
Planning and Sampling	133	(4)
Training and Briefing Personnel	137	(1)
Pretesting	138	(2)
Surveying	140	(1)
Monitoring	141	(1)
Verifying	142	(1)
Secondary Analysis of Survey Data	143	(2)
Suggestions for Further Reading	145	(1)
Research Exercises	146	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	147	(1)
Scaling Techniques	148	(13)
Scale Construction: Two Basic Concerns	149	(1)
Likert Scaling	150	(2)
Guttman Scaling	152	(4)
Thurstone Scaling	156	(2)
The Semantic Differential	158	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	159	(1)
Research Exercises	160	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	160	(1)
Content Analysis	161	(15)
Preparing to Use Content Analysis	162	(4)
Undertaking a Substantive Content Analysis	166	(3)
Undertaking a Structural Content Analysis	169	(2)
Special Problems in the Use of Content Analysis	171	(3)
Suggestions for Further Reading	174	(1)
Research Exercises	174	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	175	(1)
Sources and Applications of Aggregate Data	176	(21)
Types of Aggregate Data	177	(4)
Problems in the Use of Aggregate Data	181	(5)
Sources of Aggregate Data	186	(3)
Collecting Aggregate Data	189	(6)
Conclusion	195	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	195	(1)
Research Exercises	196	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	196	(1)
Crossing Borders: The Practice of Comparative Research	197	(15)
Donna L. Bahry
Finding Questions that ``Travel''	199	(3)
Using Equivalent Measures	202	(2)
Choosing Cases to Study	204	(2)
Finding Independent Observations	206	(1)
Finding Data	207	(2)
Conclusion	209	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	210	(1)
Research Exercises	210	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	211	(1)
Analyzing Quantitative Data	212	(101)
Data Preparation and Data Processing	212	(12)
Coding: What Do All Those Numbers Mean?	212	(5)
The Codebook and the Coding Sheet	217	(3)
Data Entry and Data Processing	220	(2)
Conclusion	222	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	222	(1)
Research Exercises	223	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	223	(1)
Describing the Data: The Construction of Tables, Charts, and Diagrams	224	(13)
The Enumerative Table	225	(2)
The Line Diagram	227	(1)
The Pie Diagram and the Bar Chart	228	(4)
The Bilateral Bar Chart	232	(1)
The Contingency Table	233	(1)
Some Words of Caution	234	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	235	(1)
Research Exercises	235	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	236	(1)
Statistics I: Summarizing Distributions on One Variable	237	(13)
Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion	238	(2)
Measures for Nominal Variables	240	(1)
Measures for Ordinal Variables	241	(2)
Measures for Interval Variables	243	(4)
Conclusion	247	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	248	(1)
Research Exercises	248	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	249	(1)
Statistics II: Examining Relationships between Two Variables	250	(23)
Measures of Association and Statistical Significance	250	(7)
Measures of Association and Significance for Nominal Variables	257	(5)
Measures of Association and Significance for Ordinal Variables	262	(2)
Measures of Association and Significance for Interval Variables	264	(6)
Conclusion	270	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	270	(1)
Research Exercises	271	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	272	(1)
Statistics III: Examining Relationships among Several Variables	273	(17)
Tabular Analysis	273	(3)
Multiple Regression	276	(2)
Interpreting Multiple Regression Results	278	(5)
Path Analysis	283	(4)
Conclusion	287	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	288	(1)
Research Exercises	288	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	289	(1)
Mathematical Modeling	290	(23)
Philip A. Schrodt
The Process of Modeling	292	(3)
Why Model?	295	(4)
Examples of Mathematical Models of Political Behavior	299	(8)
Other Types of Models	307	(1)
Problems with Modeling	308	(1)
Conclusion	309	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	310	(1)
Research Exercises	311	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	312	(1)
Qualitative Methods	313	(55)
Introduction to Qualitative Methods	313	(1)
Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods	314	(4)
Irreconcilable Differences?	318	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	319	(1)
Elite and Specialized Interviewing	320	(10)
Elite Interviewing	320	(3)
Techniques of Elite Interviewing	323	(4)
Specialized Interviewing	327	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	328	(1)
Research Exercises	328	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	329	(1)
Direct Observation	330	(22)
Scientific Method and Direct Observation	331	(1)
Approaches to Direct Observation	332	(2)
Techniques of Unstructured Observation	334	(5)
Techniques of Structured Observation	339	(4)
Sampling Procedures in Direct Observation	343	(2)
Coping with Method Effects in Direct Observation	345	(4)
The Ethics of Direct Observation	349	(2)
Suggestions for Further Reading	351	(1)
Research Exercises	351	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	351	(1)
Focus Group Methodologies	352	(16)
Why Use Focus Groups?	352	(2)
Limitations of Focus Groups	354	(2)
When Are Focus Groups Useful?	356	(2)
Planning and Conducting Focus Groups	358	(5)
Analyzing Focus Group Results	363	(2)
Reporting Focus Group Results	365	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	366	(1)
Research Exercises	366	(1)
Terms Introduced in This Chapter	367	(1)
Conclusion	368	(38)
Writing (or Reading) the Research Report	368	(30)
The Plan	369	(1)
The Structure	369	(2)
The Style	371	(1)
The Title and Abstract	372	(1)
Conclusion	373	(1)
A Case in Point	373	(24)
Suggestions for Further Reading	397	(1)
Research Exercises	397	(1)
Term Introduced in This Chapter	397	(1)
Overview	398	(8)
Developing Hypotheses, Measures, and a Research Design	398	(2)
Data Collection and Analysis	400	(1)
A Checklist for Judging Research	401	(3)
Conclusion	404	(2)
Appendix A Statistical Tables	406	(9)
Appendix B Ethical Considerations in Empirical Research	415	(5)
Glossary	420	(15)
Index	435