Qualitative Research Methods in Political Science

Qualitative Approaches in Political Science It is possible to indicate three qualitative channels in political science which are characterized by development on the time axis: ● Political thought- The classic interest in modern or ancient political thought ● The historical approach- A diachronic analysis of political events, in most cases, with a weak connection to theory. ●The theoretical approach- An analysis with the goal of evaluating theoretical hypotheses using non-quantitative research.

The Research Structure of Political Science Presenting the research problem Presenting the research questions Literature summary Delineation and definition of concepts Presenting a temporary answer to research questions Presentation of the research hypotheses Presentation of the research model (if there is one)

Methodology Research Method Operative definition of concepts Research process The study itself- in qualitative research or as a chapter on findings in quantitative research

Research in Political Science Conceptual aspects Theoretical aspects Methodological aspects Qualitative analysis

Qualitative Analysis in Contrast to Quantitative Analysis: Qualitative analysis Quantitative Research Enables the drawing of "scientific" conclusions. Enables an approach to many events and in different places. Suitable primarily to research with a large N both in everything to do with databases (states, conflicts) and in everything to do with attitudes (within the country and comparatively).  Allows for drawing "soft" conclusions but "deep" ones.  Enables an examination of fewer events, due to the limitations of time and language, but in greater detail.  Suitable in particular to research with a small N or to one event. Suitable, as well, to a comparison of a relatively small number of events.

Qualitative Analysis Contrasted to Quantitative Analysis Research methods ●Quantitative analysis in political science led to the development of the "language“of research methodology which was"borrowed" from the exact sciences. ●Although this is subject to criticism, most methodological courses in political science are based on the quantitative tradition. ●In education, in communication, in psychology, and in sociology, in recent years, courses have been developed in qualitative research methods. ●These emphasize the techniques of interview or of focus groups. ●These methods are still less relevant to political science

Accepted Sources for qualitative Analysis in Political Science Archival material Newspapers Personal interviews

Archival material Disadvantages: The culture of documentation is problematic in Israel. Archives remain closed for thirty to fifty years. Reality is presented as it is perceived by one side Advantages: Trustworthy material. Great detailing of events. If the Archive is well taken care of, a great deal of time and energy are saved

Newspapers Disadvantages The problem of detailing The problem of reliability (Articles of commentary should be avoided). Most newspaper archives are closed to the public The search through newspaper databases in libraries can be exhausting with no exact date of the event. Advantages Documentation of events which occurred a long time ago. The possibility of using Internet databases (Ha'aretz maintains an archive of its newspapers from 1994, for a charge)

Personal interviews Disadvantages In research of events of the distant past, many of the people involved are not alive. The problem of memory among the interviewees. Many interviewees are interested in leading the interview to a different direction. Advantages Receipt of information from people who took part in the event. Receiving the unique perspective of each participant. The possibility of verifying facts which appear in archives or in newspapers.