POLI 2P80 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Randomness, Theoretical Definition, Inductive Reasoning

• School: Brock University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLI 2P80
• Professor: Brad Walchuk

Document Summary

Measurement slide 2: quantitative= deductive, qualitative = inductive, both involve conceptualization and operationalization. Slide 3: steps to follow, identify concept of interest, develop conceptual definition, decide on units of analysis. How will we measure something: operationalize to create a variable, links concept to measurement technique. How do we measure: quantitative researchers, usually use deductive reasoning, start with an abstract idea, measure variables, finish with empirical data (cid:858)pro(cid:448)e(cid:859) or (cid:858)disappro(cid:448)e(cid:859) our resear(cid:272)h. How do we measure: qualitative researchers, usually use inductive reasoning, start off with empirical data, observations, qualitative, observations and search out the why (via interviews ect) Quantitative conceptualization: taking an abstract idea and coming up with a working definition that will be used in our research. Quantitative operationalization: connects your conceptual definition to the unit of measurement you will use, any process that reflects or documents the abstract concept you are studying (i. e. democracy)