Theoretical and Theoretical and Descriptive Descriptive

Approaches in Political Approaches in Political ScienceScience

A theoretical and descriptive A theoretical and descriptive approach- Two research approach- Two research frameworks which are frameworks which are

different from each otherdifferent from each other

Components of the Components of the Theoretical ApproachTheoretical ApproachComponents of the Components of the

Theoretical ApproachTheoretical Approach Characteristic descriptive conceptsCharacteristic descriptive concepts Characteristic linkage conceptsCharacteristic linkage concepts Characteristic questions and Characteristic questions and

problemsproblems Research perspectiveResearch perspective

ParatheoryParatheoryParatheoryParatheory In the absence of a theoretical approach In the absence of a theoretical approach

and an intellectual heritage which will and an intellectual heritage which will supply the tools for the construction of a supply the tools for the construction of a theory, a paratheory assists in four phases:theory, a paratheory assists in four phases:

DomainDomainAnalysisAnalysisIdentifying the problemIdentifying the problemThe development of hypothesesThe development of hypotheses

Types of theoriesTypes of theoriesTypes of theoriesTypes of theoriesTaxonomic theoriesTaxonomic theories

Causative theoryCausative theory

1.1. Causative theoryCausative theory

2.2. Functional theoryFunctional theory

3.3. Systematic theorySystematic theory

Constitutive theoriesConstitutive theories

Formal theoriesFormal theories

1.1. The descriptive modelThe descriptive model

2.2. The heuristic modelThe heuristic model

Comparative Research- A Comparative Research- A salient research tool in salient research tool in

the social sciencesthe social sciences

Comparative Research- A Comparative Research- A salient research tool in salient research tool in

the social sciencesthe social sciences A diachronic comparison (A comparison of the A diachronic comparison (A comparison of the

object of study along the axis of space and object of study along the axis of space and time.)time.)

A synchronic comparison (A comparison A synchronic comparison (A comparison between different objects of study at a given between different objects of study at a given point in time.)point in time.)