POL222H1 Lecture 2: How to Study Politics Scientifically
Document Summary
In political science, the scienti c method is divided into these stages: theory (causal theory, theoretical model), hypothesis and empirical test/analysis. The theory is composed of three elements: dependent variable (y); a phenomenon of interest, independent variable/explanatory variable (x); the cause/factor of the phenomenon, causal explanation/mechanism/process; the link between the dependent and independent variable. E. g. a country"s economic performance will in uence that country"s election outcomes: establishing these elements enables one to form an hypothesis. Complications being resolved against the theory; if the theory is indeed wrong, then it must be falsi able. 2016-09-22: a hypothesis" theory should clearly explain what is to be observed if the theory proves to be incorrect, in addition to being falsi able, theories must also be non-normative. Upon establishing a hypothesis, empirical tests/analyses must be performed to validate/invalidate said hypothesis: e. g. collecting data concerning elections and economic growth rate of numerous nations.
