Make sure you answer the following questions:
- Identify at least two criteria for comparing quantitative and qualitative approaches? Ensure at least one shows how they are similar and one shows how they differ. Explain clearly why the similarities and differences matter for a) how research is conducted and b) what conclusions can come from the research.
- In addition to those two criteria, identify “what types of research questions are better studied using quantitative approaches and what types are better studied with qualitative approaches?
- Good research convinces us that something is true. Discuss why researchers often build their arguments using BOTH quantitative correlational evidence (showing an IV and DV co-vary across cases) and qualitative process-tracing evidence (showing the logical sequence of events by which changes in an IV cause changes in a DV).
- NOTE: Do NOT discuss experimental or interpretive/ethnographic approaches.
Cite at least 2 of these readings, including at least 1 on quantitative and 1 on qualitative. To make things easier, you can use the links here or go back to the modules for week 5, 6, and 7).
- QUANTITATIVE READINGS
- Gonick, L. and W. Smith. 1993. The Cartoon Guide to Statistics. 7-26. New York: HarperMacmillan
- Best, J. 2001. Damned Lies and Statistics: Untangling Numbers from the Media, Politicians and Activists: 9-29 and 30-61. Berkeley: UC Press.
- Ragin, C. C. and L. M. Amoroso. 2011. Using Quantitative Methods to Study Covariation. Constructing Social Research (2nd ed.), edited by C. C. Ragin and L. M. Amoroso: 163-188. Los Angeles: Sage.
- QUALITATIVE READINGS
- Yin, R. K. 2014. Getting Started: How to Know Whether and When to Use the Case Study as a Research Method. Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed), edited by R. K. Yin: 3-15. Los Angeles: Sage.
- Mill, J. S. 1970 (1888). Two Methods of Comparison. Comparative Perspectives: Theory and Methods, edited by A. Etzioni and F. Dubow: 205-213. Boston: Little, Brown.
- Mitchell, R. B. and T. Bernauer. 1998. Empirical research on international environmental policy: designing qualitative case studies. Journal of Environment and Development 7(1): 4-31.
- Fearon, J. D. 1991. Counterfactuals and hypothesis testing in political science. World Politics 43(2): 169-195.
RUBRIC:
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
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Identifies a) at least 2 good criteria to compare quantitative and qualitative approaches, b) ensures 2 approaches are similar on one criterion but differ on another criterion, c) explains clearly why the similarity or difference matters for how research is conducted and how it affects the conclusions of the research.
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300 pts
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Identifies which types of questions are better studied with qualitative and which are better studied with quantitative approaches AND explains why!
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200 pts
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Discusses how correlation and process-tracing provide different bases for convincing a reader
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300 pts
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Uses at least 2 citations and uses them thoughtfully.
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100 pts
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Style
Well written, with professional formatting, **citations**, and an alphabetized references list. Also uses headings to clarify structure of paper.
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100 pts
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Total Points: 1,000
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