Introductory Concepts

The Scientific Approach to Politics

 Announcements

 PowerPoint Policy: Don’t rely too much on slides.

 Reminder: Attendance is Important.
 Textbook materials should arrive early this week.
 Research question handout will be provided next
class period.
Political “Science”:
Class Comments
 Introductory Definitions

 Empirical Research: “Research based on actual, objective

observation of phenomena.”
 Should follow defined and accepted principles of proper
research techniques (the scientific method)
 Empirical claims must be falsifiable – must be subject to
refutation. (example: the theory of Karl Popper)
 Normative v. empirical work.

 Political Science: application of scientific methods to

political phenomena.
 The Social Sciences

 Social Sciences: study human/societal behavior and

phenomena.
 Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Anthropology,
etc.

 Natural Sciences: rules and laws of natural origin

 Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, etc.
 Probabilistic v. Deterministic

 The nature of behavior studied in social sciences is

generally probabilistic in nature, not deterministic.
 What do these terms mean?

 Natural sciences are more likely to have “laws” that

are considered deterministic.
 E.g. the law of gravity.
Inductive v. Deductive Reasoning

 Social science research involves elements of both

types of reasoning (see pg. 42 of JRM)
 Deductive: if premises/propositions are true, then the
conclusion is true.
 Remember: law v. probability
 Inductive: draws inference from a set of
observations/data
 E.g. generalizing from a sample population.
 Discussion Question

What are some criticisms of

the scientific approach?
 Statistics Can Lie

 Ignoring the baseline: per

capita v. total population.
 Misrepresentation of fact.
 Manufacturing data.
 Selection bias and/or
response bias.
 E.g. Truman – Dewey
election
 Statistics Can Lie (Part II)

New York Times Article (Jan. 8, 2011) – Law School Job

Statistics
The Behavioral Approach to Political
Science: A Short History Lesson

 Traditional Political Science (1930 – 1960):

 Emphasized historical, legalistic, philosophical, institutional
approaches.
 Politics often taught in history or philosophy departments.
 Descriptive rather than explanatory in nature
 Empirical Revolution (1960 – Present):
 Behavioralism: seeks to explain and predict behavior;
involves causal relationships.
 Arose from the increased use of statistical techniques,
computer programs, etc.
Types of Political Science Research:
Quantitative Research

 A “large N” analysis: utilizes collections of data that

involve large numbers of observations.

 Mathematics and statistical methods are employed.

 Can lead to conclusions about general patterns in

human/political behavior.
Types of Political Science Research:
Qualitative Research

 A “Small N” analysis: case study approach.

 Looks at few cases/observations in-depth to help

explain political phenomena.

 Involves field studies, intensive interviewing, direct

observation, etc.
 Examples

 Quantitative: Judicial Politics and Judge Ideology

 Example 1: Segal and Cover Research – Judge Ideology
 Example 2: What causes crime?

 Qualitative: School Shootings Research

 “Studying Rare Events Through Qualitative Case Studies:
Lessons from a Study of Rampage School Shootings.” –
Harding, Fox and Metha.
 Examined high school shootings in Paducah, Kentucky and
Jonesboro, Arkansas.
 Methods of agreement v. methods of difference
Examples (Part II): School Shootings
Research

Necessary Causal Factors

 Gun Availability
 Cultural Script: shootings will solve a problem
 Social marginalization
 Susceptibility to marginalization (e.g. history of
abuse)
 Failure of social support systems
 Discussion Question

Qualitative v. Quantitative Research?

Types of Political Science Research:
Other Methods

 Surveying Techniques:
 E.g. election polling

 Experimental Techniques:
 Examine behavior using control and experimental
groups.
 Not used very often in political science. Why not?
Ethics in Research:
Milgram Experiment

The Milgram Experiment

 Ethics in Research:
Other Controversies

 TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS STUDY (1932-1972)

 TEAROOM TRADE (1970)

 Ethics in Research:
Modern Requirements

 Voluntary Participation
 Informed Consent
 Little or No Risk of Harm
 Confidentiality/Privacy

 Most Institutions have Institutional Review Boards

(IRBs) to evaluate the ethics of research.
Developing a Research Question

 Is the public U.S. public more willing to support the

use of military forces when U.S. interests are affected
than when they are not?

 Are people around the world concerned about

climate change?

 How important is political experience of presidential

candidates to voters in presidential elections?
Developing a Research Question

 Is the number of bills passed by a state legislature

related to whether both chambers of the are
controlled by the same party?

 Do states with public funding for candidates have

more competitive elections than states without public
funding?