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Mixing Methods: A Multistage Strategy for Studying Patriotism and Citizen Participation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 January 2017

Elizabeth Theiss-Morse ,
Amy Fried ,
John L. Sullivan  and
Mary Dietz
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Abstract

We propose a methodological strategy that addresses some of the widespread criticisms of survey research. Traditional survey research has, to a great extent, neglected the role of contested concepts in politics and respondents' subjectivity. Our mix of methods—including conceptual analysis, Q-methodology, and survey research—enables us to measure people's subjective understandings of contested concepts while allowing us to reap the benefits of survey research. In two case studies, one on patriotism and the other on participatory citizenship, we demonstrate that the mixed method more accu rately measures respondents' subjectivity and leads to greater predictive abil ity through more accurate measures.

Type
Research Article
Information
Political Analysis , Volume 3 , 1991 , pp. 89 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © by the University of Michigan 1992 

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