Chapter 3 - Comparative Government and Politics, 11th Edition

The process by which different cases are compared in order to better understand their qualities, and to develop hypotheses, theories, and concepts.

The systematic analysis of the methods used in a given field of enquiry. Also used to describe the body of methods used, or the means used to reach a particular set of conclusions.

The object of study in comparative politics.

The level of study in comparative politics, ranging from the macro (political system) level to the micro (individual) level.

A research method involving detailed study of a particular object and the context within which it exists.

A research method based on studying a few cases within their natural setting, with an emphasis on values, opinions, behaviour, and context.

A research design based on using cases that are as similar as possible, in effect controlling for the similarities and isolating the causes of differences.

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be supported (confirmed) or refuted (falsified) through observation or experimentation.

A changeable feature, factor, quantity, or element.

The factor or element we wish to explain.

The factor or element believed to influence the dependent variable. There are often many such variables.

A research design based on using cases that are as different as possible, in effect controlling for the differences and isolating the causes of similarities.

A research method using more cases, more variables, and attempting to explain political phenomena using statistical analysis.

A relationship between two or more variables or attributes.

The line of best fit in a scatter plot, summarizing the relationship between two variables.