1. QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN SOCIAL SCIENCE NGUYEN THU QUYNH – I34035 Introduction to International Relations

2. Question What is qualitative research in social science? What is quantitative research? What are the differences and similarities between the two? Please provide one example of research question that can be answered by utilizing quantitative research method? Likewise, what kinds of research questions would be amenable to qualitative research method? Please provide one example. Why do these research questions call for different research methods, i.e., qualitative and quantitative research methods?

3. Outline Comparison: Quantitative vs Qualitative Different Methods for Different Questions Case: US Presidential Election 2008 1 2 3

4. Research “Study of a subject, in order to discover new facts or test new ideas” Longman Dictionary

5. Steps in conducting research  Identification of research problem  Literature review  Specifying the purpose of research  Determine specific research questions or hypotheses  Data collection  Analyzing and interpreting the data  Reporting and evaluating research  Communicating the research findings and, possibly, recommendations

6. Qualitative vs Quantitative Research

7. CriteriaQuantitativeQualitative Question formulation Application forms, Questionnaires, IQ tests, Measurements, … Document review, participant observations, Interviews, Focus group, Workshops, … Forms of data collected Numerical and Statistical data. Interviews, Open-ended questions, etc. Data analysis Describe, measure, predict, deduct, … Explore, explain, understand, induct, … Result Generalizable findings that can be applied to other populations Particular or specialized findings that is less generalizable. Observable areas Quantities, Scales, Trends, … Qualities, Behaviors, Complexities, …

9. Different Methods for Different Questions

10. Why Different Methods? 1.Research Purpose 2.Observable Areas 3.Time & Resources Limitations

11. Case study US Presidential Election 2008

12. Quantitative Method Evaluate the electoral effects of Republican John McCain’s abrupt change in a presidential candidate’s perceived ideological position (Mutz and Dilliplane)

13. Qualitative Method Employ Qualitative techniques to observe voters’ reactions to any events from the candidate’s party (Democratic)

14. THANK YOU! Q & A