Page 111 - Comparing Political Communication Theories, Cases, and Challenge

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Designs and Methods of Research

Integration of the Two Typologies:
Eight Research Strategies
Rosengren, McLeod, and Blumler (1992, 274–5) recognize two di-
mensions in the typology of Swanson (1992): the degree of theoretical
diversity and theoretical drivenness.According to these authors, a theory-
driven study will test a hypothesis, whereas a study without theoretical
drivenness will be descriptive, open, and/or exploratory. The integration
of both approaches leads to eight research strategies for international
projects presented in Table 5.1 and described in the following text.
(1) Metatheoretical research strategy with context factors: Potentially
every cultural and theoretical background can be used. The re-
searchers form a metatheoretical guideline from different the-
ories that are attached to their cultural backgrounds. Theories
and hypotheses to be tested are deduced from this metatheory.
Integrating context factors into the operationalization and data
analysisprocessevenallowsunexpectedresultstobeinterpreted
appropriately.
(2) Metatheoretical research strategy without context factors: In con-
trast to the first strategy, the lack of contextual variables makes
this approach strictly deductive in the sense of critical rational-
ism. This strategy facilitates the optimal adaptation of research
questions to the theoretical background. However, questions
that come up during the research process cannot be sufficiently
answered.
(3) Unitheoreticalresearchstrategywithcontextfactors:Ifasinglena-
tional theory is tested in an international context, the creation
of a metatheoretical framework through international cooper-
ation is no longer possible. Studies with this strategy are usually
undertaken by a national researcher or research team who take
their own specific theoretical ideas as a starting point. The gen-
eral research aim is to test the applicability of their theory on
other countries, that is, the generalizability of their theory. The
inclusion of context factors assures a minimal level of open-
mindedness.
(4) Unitheoretical research strategy without context factors:The same
procedure as described under point 3, without an open per-
spective on the generalization. The results will state either the
generalizability of the theory or describe the theory as a national
phenomenon.

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