PLSC 10 exam 1

what are limits of the facts only approach?

focus on static facts which can lead to outdated knowledge.

what are advantages of theoretical approach?

It helps explain why changes occur and their impacts, as well as it helps to understand political phenomena through models and causal theories.

what are causal theories?

they focus on causal relationships, not just correlations (e.g., economic performance > incumbent vote)

what are models?

simplified abstractions to understand complex political phenomena, like maps

what are the rules for scientific research?

• make theories causal

• use empirical evidence

• avoid normative statements

• strive for generality and simplicity

what are the 4 conditions of causation?

• correlation

• temporal sequence

• causal pathway

• rejecting alternative hypothesis

what is an idiographic explanation?

detailed, specific, less generalizable

what is a nomothetic explanation?

broad, generalizable, less detailed

what is parsimony?

using the fewest variables possible to explain something the clearest, an art as well as a science

what is generalizability?

good theory aims to explain general events and move beyond describing specific occurrences

what are observable implications?

good theory must be able to be tested in reality, you can observe (or fail to observe) it occurring in everyday life

what is falsifiability?

good theory/science must also be falsifiable. Statements and claims that lack falsification are inherently flawed science.

what is grounded theory building?

Inductive reasoning based on observed

behavior

what is conceptual analysis?

Identifying factors and explaining relationships.

what does it mean to extend or modify existing theory?

Apply theory to new contexts or

modify it.

what is inductive theory building?

Qualitative, small-N analysis (theory-building).

what is deductive theory building?

Quantitative, large-N analysis (theory-testing).

what are social scientific theories?

Generalized explanations of causally related

patterns of behavior or events.

what are key features of a good theory?

• parsimony

• generalizability

• observable

• implications

• falsifiability

what are the limitations of theories?

Theories are limited by data and unobserved relations but

remain essential for explaining and predicting social phenomena.

what was the historical shift of models?

• 1970s-80s: Models were used for conceptual exploration.

• The shift to predictive accuracy has led to an overreliance on regression and model testing.

steps in the scientific method

• Identify a question

• Develop a theory

• Derive hypotheses

• Empirically test & evaluate hypotheses

• Evaluate theory

what is reliability?

The extent to which a measure produces consistent and dependable

results

what is validity?

The extent to which a measure captures the concept it is intended to represent, on average

what is discriminatory power?

• The extent to which a measure can distinguish between two (or more) concepts

• A measure can be a valid measure of two different concepts without having discriminatory power.

what are the 4 causal hurdles?

• Credible Causal Mechanism

• Eliminating Reverse Causality

• Covariation

• Controlling Confounding Variables

what is a credible causal mechanism?

Evaluate if a believable mechanism connects X (independent variable) to Y (dependent variable).

what is ruling out reverse causality?

Assess whether Y could cause X instead of X causing Y.

what is covariation?

Establish a measurable association between X and Y. Correlation is necessary but not sufficient for causality.

what is control for confounding variables?

Ensure other variables (Z) that might influence both X and Y are accounted for to avoid spurious relationships.