Strategies for transnational comparison of secondary aspects: a case study

1st European Conference on Comparative Electoral Research – Sofia – Friday, 2nd

December 2011

Dr. Frédéric Falkenhagen – Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg – frederic.falkenhagen@uni-oldenburg.de

Overview

Research Case

State of authoritarianism research

Data quality and shape

Choosing a method of indicator construction

Results

Lessons from the experience

Research Case I – Context of Research

Research on voters of ethno-regional parties in Western Europe

Quantitative comparison of voters of four parties in three countries

Secondary analysis of 16 post-electoral (or equivalent) surveys over the period 1991-2003

Research Case II – Modelling

National data analysis through GDA and clustering

Comparison of national results

Socio-demographic and ideological models

Baseline models as invalidation devices

Fifth case as contrast case

State of authoritarianism research

Historic research (Adorno et al. 1950) still universally acknowledged and referenced

Compatible theoretical outlooks

Empirical module in dire conditionBound to initial context

Outdated in content and form

No coordinated development

Data quality and shape

Minor place in questionnaires

Diverse items internationally

Diverse module size internationally

Moderately stable items nationally

Partial absence of single items or modules

Only national indicators can be built meaningfully

Comparison of national indicators

Choosing a method of indicator construction

Factor analysisListwise exclusion cuts sample by two thirds

Imputation techniques introduce major artefact risks or demand to much to work out

Hierarchical scalingToo few items

Very different module size

Specific Multiple Correspondence AnalysisOnly relative positions

General indication of data structure

Results of indicator construction

All three national samples close

Scree-test points to bi-dimensional descriptions

Second dimension measures Guttman effect

Irregular intervals (social control)

National differences in polarisation

Lessons from the experience

Data and documentation knowledge is paramount

Common theoretical references essential

Several possible strategies depending on structure and use

Short modules and low data homogeneity favour geometrical data analysis

Do not overstretch results