Summary
Contents
Subject index
This book is designed for students of Politics and International Relations at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. It provides explanations of fifty core concepts in political research methods and, uniquely, explains how these methods can be used in International Relations. Where relevant, alternative research concepts and strategies are suggested. Each ‘concept’ will incorporate a simple definition, a focused explanation, an examination of key debates and areas of research, along with cross-references to other related concepts. This format allows students and researchers alike to utilise the text either as a companion to specific modules, or on a ‘dip into’ basis. Key Features: - Provides an overview of the place of each concept in Politics and International Relations under the headings: meaning, origins and current usage. - Concepts are grouped into sections corresponding to the main themes usually covered in teaching. - Relevant concepts in the book are emboldened and linked by listing at the end of each concept - Guidance is provided to further reading on each of the concepts discussed.
Variables
Variables
A variable is something that varies: it is a phenomenon that assumes different (varying) values according to different cases … In the experimental methods we can make values vary by manipulating reality. In the social sciences, this is often not possible: we cannot artificially change the sex of a person, increase his age, and so on. We therefore need to create variation by taking many different cases with different values, according to a number of properties (variables). (Moses and Knutsen, 2007: 76)
The term ‘variable’ is a classic example of a technical term we use as researchers that is not in everyday usage. Rather than use vague language, such as ‘things’, ‘influences’, ‘changes’ or ‘factors’, we refer to research variables. For example, political participation may ...
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