The Challenge of Pluralism in Political Research
published: March 14, 2010, recorded: February 2009, views: 2927
Related content
Report a problem or upload files
If you have found a problem with this lecture or would like to send us extra material, articles, exercises, etc., please use our ticket system to describe your request and upload the data.Enter your e-mail into the 'Cc' field, and we will keep you updated with your request's status.
Description
Pluralism can take the form of an ontological and epistemological diversity of approaches; it also finds expression in the pooling of complementary research techniques, including qualitative data, in the positivist toolkit. A third form of pluralism informs and learns from different approaches, standing between world views and detailed methods. It is analogous to social and political pluralism, without segregation or assimilation, and marked by mutual influence and development. It is not a search for the ultimate truth but recognizes the inherent uncertainty of the social sciences. We may never arrive at a shared understanding of the social world, but different perspectives may help us to understand various aspects and sustain a debate about the whole. Written with Donatella Della Porta.
Link this page
Would you like to put a link to this lecture on your homepage?Go ahead! Copy the HTML snippet !
Reviews and comments:
The Challenge of Pluralism in Political Research
Abstract:
Pluralism can take the form of an ontological and epistemological diversity of approaches; it also finds expression in the pooling of complementary research techniques, including qualitative data, in the positivist toolkit. A third form of pluralism informs and learns from different approaches, standing between world views and detailed methods. It is analogous to social and political pluralism, without segregation or assimilation, and marked by mutual influence and development. It is not a search for the ultimate truth but recognizes the inherent uncertainty of the social sciences. We may never arrive at a shared understanding of the social world, but different perspectives may help us to understand various aspects and sustain a debate about the whole.
Authors:
Michael Keating
European University Institute, Italy
Donatella Della Porta
European University Institute, Italy
Download full paper: http://paperroom.ipsa.org/papers/pape...
Write your own review or comment: