Qualitative methods in international relations
Subtitle: a pluralist guide
By: edited by Audie Klotz and Deepa Prakash.
Contributors: Klotz, Audie, 1962-; Prakash, Deepa, 1978-
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; Springer
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 272
Subjects: International relations -- Research -- Methodology; International relations -- Study and teaching
Description: The main terrain of methodological disputes in the social sciences is empirical research, including the delineation of legitimate research questions, allocation of funding for projects, and employment in the profession. Yet we still lack practical answers to one of the most basic questions: How should researchers interpret meanings? The contributors take seriously the goals of both post-modernist and positivist researchers, as they offer detailed guidance on how to apply specific tools of analysis and how to circumvent their inherent limitations. Readers will understand what is at stake in selecting from discourse, speech acts, and semiotics - or even content analysis. Researchers will be able to decide when to combine tools drawn from different analytical traditions - perhaps discourse analysis to inform the construction of a dictionary for context-sensitive computerized coding. The results will be deeper interdisciplinary understanding and better research.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.