Using Mixed Methods for the Analysis of Individuals in Political Science: A Manual and an Application to Welfare State Attitudes

Quality & Quantity

35 Pages Posted: 29 Jan 2009 Last revised: 4 Nov 2010

See all articles by Achim Goerres

Achim Goerres

University of Duisburg-Essen - Institute of Political Science

Katrin Prinzen

University of Cologne - Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences

Date Written: January 29, 2009

Abstract

When studying individuals, when is the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods better than just one method alone? Whereas the debate in macro-level research, such as in political science about comparing nations, has made progress in identifying meaningful logics for a combination of methods, it is yet unclear how these logics can be applied to the study of individuals. Individual-level dynamics are in tendency less inert than those of nations or organisations. Therefore, a combination of methods is more difficult to justify in individual-level analysis since differences in measurement results could be due to changes in the dynamics rather than due to the application of different techniques. In contrast, the assumption of unit homogeneity seems to be more easily met for individuals than for countries or other higher-level aggregates, facilitating a comparison of like and like. First, this article presents a compilation of conditions scattered across the literature for the analysis of individuals, according to which a mixed-method is preferable to a single-method approach. Second, the application of these conditions is illustrated with an analysis of the impact of intergenerational relationships on welfare state attitudes in Germany on the basis of survey and focus group data.

Keywords: mixed methods, multi-methods, individuals, political science, solidarity, generations, welfare state

Suggested Citation

Goerres, Achim and Prinzen, Katrin, Using Mixed Methods for the Analysis of Individuals in Political Science: A Manual and an Application to Welfare State Attitudes (January 29, 2009). Quality & Quantity, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1334773 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1334773

Achim Goerres (Contact Author)

University of Duisburg-Essen - Institute of Political Science ( email )

Lotharstrasse 65
Duisburg, D-47057
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.achimgoerres.de

Katrin Prinzen

University of Cologne - Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences ( email )

Greinstr. 2
Cologne, D-50939
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.fis.uni-koeln.de/prinzen.html

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