Scribd
Upload
334 views1 page

Explanatory Research Design Handout Prof - Panke

This document outlines an explanatory research design template for seminar papers, BA theses, and MA theses. The template includes 5 sections: 1) Introduction with the research question and relevance, paper structure, and findings. 2) Empirical puzzle and theoretical relevance. 3) Theory selection and hypothesis formulation. 4) Method selection and empirical testing of hypotheses. 5) Conclusions restating the research question and answer, key findings, implications, and limitations/future research. The goal is to explain variation in a dependent variable using theories and empirical analysis.

Uploaded by

Jay R Chiva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
334 views1 page

Explanatory Research Design Handout Prof - Panke

This document outlines an explanatory research design template for seminar papers, BA theses, and MA theses. The template includes 5 sections: 1) Introduction with the research question and relevance, paper structure, and findings. 2) Empirical puzzle and theoretical relevance. 3) Theory selection and hypothesis formulation. 4) Method selection and empirical testing of hypotheses. 5) Conclusions restating the research question and answer, key findings, implications, and limitations/future research. The goal is to explain variation in a dependent variable using theories and empirical analysis.

Uploaded by

Jay R Chiva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Explanatory Research Design - to be used for seminar papers / BA and MA theses

1) Introduction
a. Research question (RQ) (= one sentence, ending with a ?)
i. y-centered research design: How can variation in a dependent variable (DV) be explained?
ii. Or x- centered research design: Which difference does variation in a specific independent
variable (IV) make for the dependent variable?
b. 2-3 sentences on the relevance of the research question (empirical, theoretical, etc.)
c. Paragraph on how the paper/thesis is structured
d. Paragraph on major finding of paper/thesis

2) Empirical Puzzle; empirical/theoretical relevance of research question


a. y-centered research design: Definition of DV (parameter values, operationalization and
measurement), detection of DV-variation (e.g. over time, over institutions, over actors, over
policies etc.), presentation of DV pattern & discussion of counterintuitive elements//elements
that require explanation
b. Or x- centered research design: Definition of IV (parameter values, operationalization and
measurement), detection of IV-variation (e.g. over time, over institutions, over actors, over
policies etc.), , presentation of IV pattern and linkage to DV, discussion of counterintuitive
elements//elements that require explanation

3) Theory
a. Identification of relevant theories; very brief discussion of major findings/insights and gaps in
literature and how own paper/thesis is contributing towards closing the gaps
b. Selection of at least two theories and short (!) presentation (short, theory is not an end in itself
but a means to develop hypotheses in order to answer the research question)
c. Specification of hypotheses (at least two competing hypotheses need to be formulated)
i. Hypothesis: specification of causal relationship between IV and DV Deterministic (if IV
change, then DV change) or probabilistic (the more IV, the less DV) formulation,
including specification of causal mechanism and scope conditions
d. Operationalization of IV ,causal mechanism, scope conditions

4) Method selection & Empirics – Plausibilization/test of hypotheses


a. Methods: Discussion of selected method to empirically examine the hypotheses (qualitative or
quantitative, if qualitative – discussion of case selection and choice of qualitative techniques
applied, if quantitative – discussion of choice of quantitative techniques applied)
b. Plausibilization/test of hypotheses (this is the major part of the paper/thesis and
c. should be considerably longer than introduction, puzzle, and theory section)

5) Conclusions
a. What was your RQ and what is the answer?
b. Essential findings and take away message
c. Generalizations and implications
d. Outlook: limitations of your study & how to address them; future avenues for research

Essential: Comply with standards of scientific work (citations, sources, etc.).

You might also like