1. S CIENCE IN S OCIAL S CIENCE Presentation by Vee Chansa-Ngavej

2. W HAT IS S CIENCE ? Latin “Scientia” meaning “Knowledge” Systematic method of obtaining knowledge through observation and experimentation Process of gathering empirical data, identifying patterns/generalizations and testing against hypotheses to formulate theory “Logic of inference”  leads to predictive power

4. S CIENCE IN S OCIAL S CIENCE Led to positivist movement in field of IR Positivism: Scientific methodology to find patterns in human and state behaviour Can knowledge of the social world be quantified? 2 nd and 3 rd Levels of Analysis: May be easier to seek patterns and make generalizations (trade patterns, election poll/results, famines/victims) 1 st Level: Difficult to quantify human pschye in each social context/situation (minds of leaders/ decision-makers)

5. S CIENCE IN S OCIAL S CIENCE Quantitative or Qualitative Data? QuantitativeQualitative Statistical/Numerical/MeasurableNarrative/Historical/Interpretive SystematicComparative Rational/Scientific/EmpiricalNormative/Humanistic/Subjective “Who, What, When, Where”?“Why, How”?

6. S CIENCE IN S OCIAL S CIENCE Both have advantages and limitations Quantitative: Can identify patterns and establish generalizations to test hypotheses Qualitative: Can provide more comprehensive and detailed analysis, taking more social factors into consideration Different styles but are complementary Good analysis should make use of both data sets Depends on type of research question

7. R ESEARCH Q UESTION E XAMPLE Is there a “dictatorial peace theory?” Definition of “dictatorial state” (One-man rule aka “personalist” dictatorship) Existing scholarly discourse on dictatorship Hypothesis: Dictators do not wish to wage wars against other states, dictatorial or otherwise, because the fear of regime collapse.

8. R ESEARCH Q UESTION E XAMPLE Quantitative Data: Wars dictators have waged since 1945 (Who fought who, when, where?) Qualitative Data: Analysis of psyche and historical background of each dictator (Why they went to war, why haven’t they gone to war?)

11. C ONCLUSIONS IR as Science or Humanities? Is the social world quantifiable? How to best advance IR as a scholarly discipline? Positivism: Gave rise to Rational Choice Theory and Game Theory Post-positivist approaches: Critical theories, Constructivism, Feminism, Poststructuralists Use of IR theories as “lenses” or “paradigms” for analysis to approach issues from different angles