RM exam 3 - Expository research

Expository research involves using...

descriptive, non-numerical data to explore and explain political phenomena in depth

expository approach emphasizes...

understanding the how and why of political events, ideologies, institutions, and behaviors

Expository research is useful for...

exploring complex political issues that may not be easily quantified and for providing contextual understanding

benefits of expository research in political science

offers a way to present complex information in a structured way, helps readers understand phenomena without requiring them to agree with a viewpoint, allows scholars to capture the perspectives of different actors

Characteristics of Expository Research: descriptive and interpretative focus

aims to paint a comprehensive picture of political phenomena

Characteristics of Expository Research: case studies and comparative analysis

uses case studies to explore the nuances of political systems, events, or ideologies in specific contexts

comparative studies between countries or regions are common to...

draw descriptive insights about political dynamics and cultural influences

Characteristics of Expository Research: interviews and focus groups

used to gather in-depth perspectives from political actors, stakeholders, or citizens

Characteristics of Expository Research: historical documentation

may draw from historical documents, policies, treaties, and other archival materials to describe the origins and evolution of political institutions, practices, or conflicts

Characteristics of Expository Research: ethnographic observation

allows researchers to observe behavior and interactions within political contexts

ethnographic observation might include...

attending rallies, observing protestors, or shadowing political candidates to understand their strategies and interactions

Characteristics of Expository Research: content and discourse analysis

examines documents, speeches, and media to understand how political narratives and ideas are constructed and communicated

content and discourse analysis can reveal...

underlying ideologies, power structures, or policy shifts over time

Example of institutional analysis

describing the structure, roles, and interactions within an institution (like a political party), perhaps in comparison with similar institutions in other countries

example of policy development analysis

exploring how a policy developed over time, detailing the actors involved, debates held, and influences that shaped its final form

example of political ideology exploration

examining the origins and development of a political ideology, such as socialism in a specific country, and how it influences contemporary politics

example of social movement studies

analyzing the organization, goals and dynamics of social movements, such as how grassroots organization in Latin America mobilize for political change

Expository Research & Content Analysis

by focusing on what is said and how it is said, it supports and objective, comprehensive understanding of political communication without advocating a specific interpretation or solution

descriptive focus

this research seeks to inform by presenting comprehensive descriptions of political phenomena without aiming to persuade

systematic analysis

content analysis involves systematically examining text to identify patterns, themes, and language use

systematic analysis might include

coding themes in political speeches or analyzing the framing of issues in media articles to identify biases or ideological influences

use of primary sources

Content analysis often relies on primary sources, such as government documents, legislative debates, political advertisements, social media posts, and journalistic content

Expository research in political science uses primary sources

to highlight how political ideas are presented and reinforced across different platforms.

Qualitative content analysis

involves thematic analysis of language, metaphors, and narrative structure. Aims to capture the essence and complexity of the text.

Quantitative content analysis

analysis quantifies aspects of the text, such as the frequency of certain keywords or phrases. Reveals trends in discourse over time or across sources.

ideological frames

expository research using content analysis can reveal the frames or ideological perspectives embedded within texts

Exploration of frames can highlight...

how different media outlets report on immigration or how political parties frame economic poliesies. Shows underlying strategies and ideologies.

Contextual understanding

this method allows researchers to consider the political, cultural, or historical context surrounding the content

Contextual understanding example

analyzing speeches by political leaders during times of national crisis can reveal shifts in language that reflect broader societal concerns and sentiments

media analysis

Examining how news outlets cover political issues, such as climate change or elections, to assess biases, portrayal, and narrative consistency across different publications or time periods

Political speech analysis

Analyzing political speeches to track recurring themes, word choices, and framing strategies. This is often used to understand how politicians construct messages around topics like patriotism, the economy, or social issues

Policy discourse

Studying government documents, policy briefs, or official statements to explore how specific issues (e.g., national security, immigration) are framed and justified in official discourse.

Campaign advertising

Examining campaign ads to analyze how candidates portray themselves and their opponents, including the themes and imagery they use to appeal to specific voter demographics.

Social media analysis

Analyzing posts, comments, and hashtags on platforms like Twitter or Facebook to understand grassroots movements, public opinion, or political engagement strategies.

Example study: Framing of immigration

Using content analysis to study how various media outlets frame immigration, identify whether it is presented as an economic benefit, security threat, or humanitarian issue. Then, describe these patterns in a non-partisan, informative way.

Example study: Campaign rhetoric

Examining a series of campaign speeches by a particular candidate over time to identify shirts in focus or the intensification of certain themes. Providing a descriptive record of the rhetorical strategies used.

Example study: legislative debates

analyzing transcripts from parliamentary debates to describe how legislators frame issues like healthcare or education. Documenting recurring terms and metaphors that reveal underlying ideological positions.