Cycling across Political Science Research. Issue 4 (28th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hibbing, John R.
• Is Part Of: Perspectives on politics. Volume 14:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 1074
• Page End: 1075
• Publication Date: 2016-12-28
• Subjects: Political science -- Periodicals; International relations -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 2001-2009 -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 2009- -- Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1017/S1537592716003005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-5927

Abstract

Abstract : I extensively agree with Lieberman's main argument and especially with his recommendations to graduate students and journal editors, which come at a critical time for our discipline's development and future relevance. However, I depart from Lieberman on two issues. First, I argue that the research cycle is circular, and not teleological as Lieberman implies. For instance, randomized control trial (RCT) studies could be the start (and not the end) of a research cycle that leads to more descriptive and qualitative analysis in order to improve our understanding of causality. Second, I believe that the size of effects in RCT studies does matter, among other reasons because small effects might be symptoms of defective conceptualization of the main research problem.