EPR |2024-2025 Update|COMPLETE MOST-
TESTED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(100% Correct answers)|GET IT 100%
ACCURATE!!
Terms in this set (174)
that which describes and explains reality'
Manheim et al, 2008
• A way of gaining knowledge by direct and indirect
What is Empirical Political observation
Research? • Use of senses to observe and record political
phenomena
• Can be quantitative or qualitative
• Distinct from normative research
• Based on observation
(Obtaining knowledge)
• Explains 'reality'
Empirical Research • Objective
• Factual
• Should inform public
policy
• Based on what should be
(Using knowledge)
• Describes 'better' potential 'reality'
Normative Research
• Subjective
• Value laden
• Often the goal of public policy
• Understand causes of war
(or peace)
• Understand pathways in and
Empirical Examples
out of poverty
• Understand why people vote
the way they do
• End all wars
• Eradicate poverty
Normative examples
• Help a candidate or party
win an election
The US should adopt stricter laws on public access
Normative Statement to guns.
Wealth should be distributed equally.
Stricter laws on public access to guns reduces gun-
related
Empirical statement
deaths.
Wealth is distributed equally.
Why is EPR useful? Become producer of knowledge
"The real purpose of the scientific method is to
make sure nature hasn't
The purpose of the misled you into thinking you know something you
scientific method don't actually know"
Robert Pirsig, Zen and The Art of Motorcycle
Maintenance
• Set of rules for inquiry
• Based on evidence
- empirical observation & measurement
What is the scientific • A method of making inferences
method? - descriptive or causal
• Transmissible
- So replicable
Collecting evidence by itself is not sufficient
• Nothing is self-evident
• World is perceived through our senses
Assumptions of the
• Truths should be established objectively
Scientific Method
• Truths are tentative
• All observable phenomena are knowable
• Demands evidence
Strengths of Scientific • The conclusions are uncertain
Method • Self-correcting
• Procedures are public & explicit
What the scientific The absolute proof
method is not
• Cannot 'prove' anything
• Tentative truths - things change over time
• Can establish correlation; much harder to establish
causation
Limitations of the • Is there really an objective reality?
Scientific Method And in political science:
• Research can change behaviour of subjects
• Humans are very complex subjects
• Politics is very difficult to 'measure'
• Control of all contributing factors impossible
A political argument has • Political argument always has to be backed
to be backed by what? up by facts (evidence)
The Wheel of science
• Poor design = poor research
• Vital to understand empirical research
Why is research design • Vital for term papers, theses and exams
important? (for this course and others)
Determine what relationship between variable we
can claim
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller CodedNurse. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $22.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
